I ONLY stay home

When I first started staying home full time, without a job or an income, it was an adjustment. For a long time I felt like I needed to defend the decision to stay home, to explain to everyone that yes I had graduated from college, and yes, I was JUST staying home.

I am all about women's rights. I am socially a very liberal person. However, I think many people misunderstand what women's rights actually mean for someone like me. I feel like all the women that fought before me, for the right to vote and the right to become educated and have a career, were actually fighting for the right to CHOOSE what to do in life. They were fighting for options. I think that some people assume that if you're a strong, independent woman that you should be working outside the home and pursuing a career. However, as a strong independent woman, I am making the choice to stay home and raise my children.

I admire working moms. I think that they are amazing and fantastic and I don't think that I could manage a life of work and children. If you are a working mom, and doing it well, more power to you! However, for me, being a mom is what I have dreamed about doing my whole life. I am very lucky to be in this position, with a supportive husband and an income that makes it possible. This life is what I have chosen for myself and I am grateful for the choice.

Many people have a hard time understanding how a mom who stays home with three children fills her days. They don't understand how we aren't sitting around all day bored out of our minds. I can tell you that that is not the case. In fact, we are so busy sometimes that I have a hard time fitting all the chores and errands into our week. I can fill a week easily with many child-centered activities outside our home. And when we are home we are busy playing, cooking, cleaning (sometimes) and just spending time together. I am the lucky one that gets to kiss the scrapes and the one that gets to answer their questions about life and teach them about the magic of cornstarch mixed with water.

I know that they would be just fine at daycare. They would learn and make friends and would probably have a great time...but, I would miss so much! Time is precious and it goes quickly. Before I know it they will be in school all day and I will be carting them to and fro to all of their activities. However, I will be a constant in their life. I will be there when they get home from school. I will know their friends. I will still be making their dinner and asking them about their favorite part of the day. I know that when I am older and look back on this time in my life, I will consider myself a successful person. I will have had a major role in shaping three human beings into capable, independent adults. And I hope, when the time comes, that my girls exercise their right to choose their path in life!