Once upon a time I had (and still do!) a friend named April. Most of you know her from her blog, A.Liz Adventures. She and I were friends before blogging but we've become much better friends over the last few years.
This time last year, she had recently stopped working in the corporate world and started staying home with Camille (and now Charlotte). I was wrapping up my 12 weeks of maternity leave. She, Sarah and I hung out often with the three girls and it was so much fun. One of the times we were together, we talked about working versus not, etc. She had worked during Camille's first year of life so she knew what both working and not working was like.
She told me to work the first year while they aren't as interactive and then if you're going to start staying at home, do it after they turn one. I had no clue what she was talking about at the time because I wasn't in that stage then, but now - I totally get it. She's so right.
Don't get too crazy, I'm not going to quit working. It's just that the last few weeks, every day I'm itching to go pick her up! Well I always have been excited to go get her, but lately I cannot get enough of my Molly Anne. She's my best sidekick and she is doing so many new fun things that I love to be there for!
I'm sure this is another phase of this thing called "being a mama" but I am really loving this age. She's crazy and all over the place but it's so much fun. And I hear it keeps getting better!
Those pigtails are the best! Jess at Just Jess
ReplyDeleteI've had the same thoughts. Financially, we're at such a good place with both of us working full time and I plan on going back to work after my Lil Nugz is here. But I also have that little voice inside that says, "But will you go back forever??" God willing I'd like to have two, so maybe we'll see where we're at when/if the second one comes around.
ReplyDeleteBack to MA -- I cannot stand how cute her little piggies are! (Piggie toes in sandals and piggie tails with the bows. TOO MUCH!)
She is so adorable, who wouldn't want to spend every second with her that you can? :) It is a tough balance I am sure, but sometimes I think that time away can make you enjoy the time together more.
ReplyDeleteNot a day goes by that I don't think about staying home with Oliver. But me working is what's best for our family though. Unfortunately I'll always have to work unless Theo gets a job that offers benefits and I spend too much money and that's something I think I would do more if I didn't work! I love hearing that MA is so much fun as shes getting older! Makes me excited for the future!
ReplyDeleteI've had such sadness about Leo's upcoming birthday, but this really made me happy and excited for the amazingness that is around the corner
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you! I am loving this age. They are still little, but they can interact and play. I say it every month, but I want to keep the girls this size forever.
ReplyDeleteI work in education so I get a fair amount of time off with my little girl that isn't necessarily a "vacation" in that my husband has time off too and we are doing something as a whole family. While I love it, when I don't over structure and schedule that time my daughter and I both end up frustrated with each other and craving the routine that she gets from being in school (and I get from work). I really enjoy our time off now that I know that because I plan lots of stuff for us to do, but I don't know if I could keep up those plans every day (my friends would get sick of us! haha!).
ReplyDeleteBest of luck as you work through all the emotions of mom-ing! I am glad to experience that excitement of picking my daughter up, and watching her run up to me excited to see me, versus both of us sick of each other waiting for daddy to come home counting down the minutes until 6:10, haha!