“…just like that, I was going back to work and my stay at home days were over.”

When Zoe turned 4 earlier this summer I knew my days as a stay at home mom were numbered. I imagined sending her to preschool and getting to spend some one on one time with Levi before sending him off to school too. Then maybe, spending my days catching up on my painting while casually looking for a job. But, the plan was always to get back to work when the kids were school age. And so, the time came for Zoe to enter Pre-K, sooner than I wanted it to be. I went to sign her up at our local public school, but unfortunately her birthday didn’t make the cut off. We were sent to look for a private Pre-K class. I considered keeping her home another year and maybe doing some sort of home school program, but she was so ready for school. There was only one private school I could ever consider, so I gave them a call. It had been a year since Vie left and when I called. I found our beloved school in need of some help. I was generously offered a job and although I was excited at the prospect of helping a school I truly loved so much, I was hesitant. I went home to think about it. I thought about my family and what it meant for them. What it meant for Levi and the time I imagined for us. What it meant to the families and staff at the school that I loved. And what it meant for me, and my own path. I immediately called my number one confidant and adviser, my sister. As I was listing to her my pros and cons, I said something to her that was the decider. As this sentence came out of my mouth, I knew what my answer would be… “If this school needed me to VOLUNTEER my time, I would figure out a way to be there.” And so, just like that, I was going back to work and my stay at home days were over. Logistics quickly worked themselves out. My mother in law would stay with the baby 4 days a week and my husband would watch him one day a week. If I brought back Vie, I could have the rare opportunity to be with both of them in the same school. But, I couldn’t make that decision for her, I had already pulled her out. I wanted her to make that decision on her own, understanding it would be just for one year until she went on to middle school. I’ll let the picture below tell you what her decision was and how she felt…

As a kid, I had a hard time in school. I never felt comfortable in school. Much less, like I fit in. It wasn’t until I met my English teacher in High School that I really started to enjoy school and even felt like I was smarter than I thought. This teacher was the main reason I went into teaching. I wanted to be that teacher for someone else. Can you imagine, as a kid having a whole school of people there every day making school fun and exciting!? Every staff member making you feel like you belong there, like you matter there. I knew how special this school was before but it was in this moment I understood how much it meant for Vie – how much this place meant for my family and what a true blessing this opportunity to be a bigger part of this school was. It’s funny how life works sometimes. It’s almost like our paths are already planned out for us…

So now the adjustment begins. I want to be candid about my feelings from staying at home and the struggle to catch my stride as a working mom. Both jobs are hard! I still remember how hard it was to catch my stride when I left work to stay at home. I am happy to bring you all along with me! Because I know I am not alone here either. In the end, we are all motivated by our kids and we all do the best that we can for them. Whether, you’re a stay at home, working, or work at home mom, we all belong here and I am happy to share with this community with you.

Let me know in comments what you’d like to see more of!

Lunches?

Eating clean at work?

Keeping up with household stuff?

Healthy recipes for the work week?

I have so many ideas!! I can’t wait to get to work!