Hi friends! It's been a while since I've written anything and normally this blog is dedicated to all things teaching. But on my birthday in 2023, I found out I was pregnant and immediately told my boyfriend I'm not going back to work when she's born. I was going to take a year off!
I applaud teachers or any parent who can manage working and raising a newborn. That's a serious talent and for many a necessity. But with the work conditions I was under at my school - inconsiderate administration, toxic environment and the demands of teaching, I just knew I wouldn't give my little one the amount of energy and attention she deserves from me. So, I automatically knew time away from the field would be necessary.
For most people, that isn't even an option, but I'm blessed to have a partner who understood why it was important for me to stay home and raise our daughter instead of placing her in daycare. This isn't to undermine other's decisions to put their child(ren) in daycare or make someone feel like a horrible parent for doing so because they aren't bad parents for doing it. Some people prefer to send their child(ren) to a daycare or nursery and that is their right, and for some parents it's the only decision or option because of work demands. But it just wasn't something I wanted for my child.
One thing I learned as a child from my mom was that people will never take care of your belongings as good as you do. Wouldn't that mean your child as well? That was something that I kept in mind when making the decision to stay at home, and also just news you hear and read about the care of children in daycares. Basically, if she's not talking to express herself or tell me how her day went, then no to sending her to someone that I don't truly know or trust.
It was a serious decision to make because that meant one income was being deducted from our household, and I had just moved in with my boyfriend a month prior to finding out about our little one. Thankfully, I had some funds saved (and continued to save while I worked since I knew I wasn't going back) and was still able to work up until the beginning of March 2024. And of course since I'm a teacher, there were other benefits I received that helped me to keep an income (including my salary since I normally received my check during the summer while I was on summer break) up until July 2024 😊.
Now I'm not working currently, but thankfully I will be able to work from home soon for a while to make a bit of an income. My husband (formerly boyfriend) makes enough to cover household things, I had enough saved to cover my expenses and help with things around the house as well, but I still like to have money rolling in regardless. So, if I can work a bit while being a stay at home mom, then I will. ❤️ The little one is older now and can entertain herself at times, but I have to keep my eye on her and what she tries to eat. 😂
During this time I'm able to watch her make discoveries, learn to use her voice and expressions to communicate, read to her, play, go to infant social events like storytime at nearby libraries, witness different milestones, and take mini trips to different cities and places. Taking the year off to raise my daughter was one of the best decisions I've made and I don't regret it at all. Teaching will be there, but spending these precious and amazing moments raising her, is priceless.
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