Why I Stay Home with My Children.

Today I read a very interesting article titled, 5 Reasons One Parent Should Stay at Home I am always very interested in articles about this subject, but even more so interested in the comments that are made below them.  Anyway, it made me think about the reasons I stay home with my kids.

1.  I have wanted to be a SAHM for as long as I can remember.  My mother stayed home with us (running an in-home daycare) when we were small and working very close to home once she did go back to work full time.  My MIL also stayed home so my husband came from the same type of upbringing as me.  I knew when I had children I wanted to be the one with them for every moment.

2. Financially it is what works for our family.  It always has.  I was 19 when we moved to DC metro area, and my husband was a new college grad just starting his career.  I decided after my freshman year to drop out not continue my education, racking up loans when we knew I would stay home when we started a family....little did we know that we would welcome our son a mere 18 months after that conversation.  We were living in an area where everything is more expensive than where we came from.  We had no family in the area, so that was not an option and daycare would probably be more that what I would make in a month.  We are in a much different place financially now than we were, and for our family it is still what is right for us. 

3.  To be my children's first teacher.  I find it so rewarding when my two year old belts out her ABC's or my son tells me all about the Dinosaurs.  I love finding new activities for us to do, and feel so accomplished when I know they have learned something new, and it was because of what I taught them.  I also love being the one to see all the firsts, kiss every boo boo, and not have to rely on anyone else to care for my children.

4.  For me it is more than just being a SAHM.  It is about creating a home environment for my family.  I love that when I am home, during the day the errands can get run, the house can be cleaned, laundry can be washed, paperwork can be completed, so when we are together as a family all those things are out of the way and we can truly spend that time together.  Do I still take 2 hours every other Saturday to grocery shop in peace. YES. Everyone needs a break, and mine just usually happens to be shopping or catching up with friends.  It comes down to the fact that my husband works A LOT of hours, so when we do get time together I want to spend it at a park, cuddled up reading, playing dolls, or family movie night.

5.  It is challenging for me.  I have read some people say they just couldn't stay home all the time.  First, there are weeks where we don't even get 1 day at home.  We are always out doing new things, meeting friends, finding new playgrounds.  I love being home because everyday is something new.  A new lesson to teach about sharing or being nice, a new place to go, a new hardship to overcome.  Everyday my patience is tested, my kids are growing, I am learning something new about myself.

As my children are growing is my role changing, absolutely.  At this point, I am feeling like I am able to sit and take a breath occasionally.  Every year will bring new adventures and roles for me as a SAHM, but as long as it is the best option for my family, my role will always be the same.....Mommy.

** This post is about what works for my family, I realize everyone comes from a different situation, and each family works differently.  I have a lot of respect for families where both parents work, I think they have a lot more on their plate, and the amount of juggling it takes to make it all work amazes me.  As long as we are all being the best parents that we can be to our children that is all that matter :) **