We received a fantastic question from a mom in our community about what to do once her children transitioned to school. Read the exact question below, and then listen to the podcast to hear great advice that came from YOU–our Power of Moms Community!
“This past school year my youngest of four kids started kindergarten. After a few days of crying and a few weeks of enjoying myself, I started to feel useless. I was surprised to find myself struggling with this new-found freedom. People, including myself and my husband, would ask questions like, “What do you do all day?” and I didn’t feel like I had a satisfactory answer. I felt because my kids were not there to need me during the day, I should have something amazing to show for that time. I have been able to stay busy during the day, but nothing I do feels as important as the mothering I had been doing for the past eleven years. For six hours of everyday, nobody needs me. While that has some perks, it also has made me feel less important, worthwhile, and less satisfied. How have other moms navigated this transition? How do I reinvent my role as mother? How do I still feel worthwhile with that time when my children aren’t there to need me? There’s only so much housework I can do. Do I need to get a job or have another baby in order to feel satisfied again?”
Music from Creations by Michael R. Hicks
Audio editing by Christy Elder
Thank you for sharing this insight, its nice to listen to others experiences, especially at a time where I am faced with a life choice of my own.
Specifically, I have worked since I was 12, babysitring and various part-time jobs during high school and college and then full-tume after college…so not to date myself, but for 28 years. I have two children, 7 and 3. I recently stopped working full time and have the opportunity to stay home with them as a full-time mom or work part-time or go back to full-time. I feel like both me and my kids would benefit from me being home full-time; but I’m aprehensive about the transition. We had a smooth routine for school, daycare and activities while my husband and I worked full-time. Any advice on the alternate; going from working outside the home to transitioning to a stay home mom? Any advice and suggestions are welcome!