So I did a thing...
I quit my job to be at home with my kids full time. Being a stay-at-home Mom (silly name right!?) is something I have contemplated since my daughter was born and I am so fortunate that my family is in a place right now that allows me to do this. I didn't know if or when I would do it, but I did it, and I have never felt more self-empowered. For a very long time I felt like I was failing at being the best version of myself. Being a good employee meant that my time at home was spent checking emails on my phone or focused on my laptop instead of my kids. Trying to be a good mother meant I was running out of work the minute I was able to and leaving projects unfinished. Being a good wife always fell to the bottom, sorry Sam. I was putting a tremendous amount of pressure on myself, over the past few months especially, and finally something had to give....and it happened to be my two weeks notice.
Despite my worries that I would be feel sad or scared to close this chapter of my professional life, the overwhelming feelings have refreshingly been relief and thankfully, excitement. My family and coworkers have been amazingly supportive and I couldn't be more appreciative. Sam, Madeleine and Maclan have been the true champs, though. They have been so adaptable and understanding the past few months with a demanding work schedule and changes in childcare, and I feel so blessed to have this little family of mine.
I reached out to a close friend who has been home with her kids for the past few years for advice and her response was so beautifully honest and raw: "Stockpile all the patience you could possible have in your bones, do something out of the house every day, and find a place you can workout that has babysitting." That last bit is my favorite...I joked with my Mom that I will probably get into the best shape of my life. Needless to say, I signed up for childcare at my gym today.
On another exciting note, the timing of my transition happens to align with my Dad's retirement. I am excited to spend more time with him and convince him to help me work on some of the home improvement projects I have on my wish list. When I asked him what he plans to do with all of his free time, his response has been "Well I know what I am not doing" so hopefully he will warm up to my ideas!
So what does that mean for this space? More, I hope! I happened to study accounting, earn my CPA and work in Finance for the past 12 years, but I have always felt like I was suppressing my creative side, which happens to be what I am most passionate about. If only there were a job where Excel meets Photoshop! Anywho...I look forward to spending more time with my children and perhaps building out my blog a little bit more.
And with that I will leave you with a few of my favorite quotes about motherhood that I will likely recite to myself on a daily basis....
“There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” -Jill Churchill
"Rest easy, real mothers. The very fact that you worry about being a good mom means that you already are one."- Jodi Picoult