Being a SAHM was never even a consideration for me! I returned to work, part-time, after only six months on maternity leave because I wanted to and I experienced zero #momguilt in the process. To each their own, but I am happy being a full-time working mom.
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**Update** Originally published April 19th, 2019. Since March of 2020, this global pandemic has certainly thrown a monkey wrench into my small, happy little world! My daughter is learning remotely at home and I am, unfortunately, forced to be home with her. Luckily, at this time, I am able to work from home and have some sense of normalcy to our day. We are trying to make the best of this awful situation and I’m actively working hard to keep my emotions under control.
Canadians can now take up to 18 months for maternity/paternity leave, but I’m baffled why anyone would want to.
Here’s why I am happy being a full-time working mom.
Staying sane for my family’s sake.
If I didn’t work outside the home, I would be a raging C-U-Next-Tuesday, to put it mildly! I like the structure of working 9-5 while my daughter is at school. Enjoying evenings with my husband and daughter is more than enough for me and once they go to bed – I have the rest of the night to myself!
Check out this easy week night recipe for Goulash!
“Working moms are like any other mom, except they can go to the bathroom by themselves between 9-5.”
– Unknown
For my daughter’s benefit, showing her a strong work ethic, independence, and inspiration.
My girl has come to work with me before (in a pinch when child care was not available) and she really enjoyed it. More than I did, for sure! She often asks me why she can’t come to work with me all the time or why we can’t just stay home. I explain that people depend on me being at work and doing my part. That I have a passion for what I do and enjoy giving 100% and caring about my work.
Showing my growing girl a strong work ethic will teach her, eventually, that she needs to depend on herself and earn her own way. It is important to me that she understands that she can create and follow her own path in order to support and sustain herself in the future.
Interaction with other adults.
The lovely people I work with are like a second family to me (most of them anyways)!! How we converse and connect are different than between certain friends and my blood family. I have more of a connection with my work family than most of my own family (with the exception of my hubby and daughter).
Living my pre-mommy life.
While at work, I can leave “wife” and “mother” at home and just be Jenny. My boss is quite lenient and doesn’t micromanage us in any way, so I can just get my work done in my own time – not on my child’s schedule or when it’s convenient for my husband.
“My kids need their father as much as they need their mother.”
– Unknown
Contributing to our household income.
We would be able to live on my husband’s wage alone, but it would be tight. With my salary added to the mix, we are more than covered with a little extra for recreational purposes. Even if my income wasn’t needed, at the end of the day I would still feel like I wasn’t pulling my weight. I wouldn’t feel comfortable shopping, or even creating this blog, due to the unnecessary expenses. But since I am the higher income earner of the house (ahem!) I have the luxury to splurge a bit!
“Not all working moms need to work, some just want to.”
– Unknown
Luckily, I have a flexible work schedule.
As I mentioned previously, I have a fairly lenient boss and I am able to have a more flexible schedule at work. This being said, I can get my daughter up in the morning and take her to school before proceeding to work. Less spent on child care means more opportunity to do things and make memories.
Being a better me, means being a better mom.
Self care was never top of my priority list, even before having my daughter. But I’m putting myself first more and I don’t see this as being selfish or conceited. Moms in general need to be happy and feel fulfilled in their life in order to be there for their families. And, for me, that means having a career and working full time outside of my home life.
“I had no idea that being with my kids would be so exhausting and work would feel like a vacation.”
– Unknown
I love my job. Not all day, every day. But I am bored when I’m not at work.
My career and work life gives my purpose. I am an important part of an ever-growing and successful company and I’m proud of my contribution.
Please don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for SAHMs. I praise your patience, perseverance, and strength to do what you do each and every day. But that’s just not the lifestyle for me and not something I could do.
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