tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199204601605953036.post755074574006758257..comments2017-07-19T20:52:18.254-07:00Comments on Middle of the Night Mom: stay at home mom or working mom...worries and other straysleahvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07847263693374815072noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199204601605953036.post-52019035118609373372011-04-26T15:46:39.252-07:002011-04-26T15:46:39.252-07:00Bridget, I love your response and because we don&#...Bridget, I love your response and because we don't know each other, your response is that much more objective! Thank you for taking the time and energy to put together such a thoughtful and caring response. <br /><br />You wouldn't know this because you don't know me...but I have been praying for some guidance and am in the middle of interviewing and starting my yoga business right now (this week). Your response is so timely. <br /><br />I agree that more mom's need to talk about these important issues and the emotions that come with all of this. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your experience and encouragement. Two kids in college, wow! Congrats! <br /><br />Please share your blog link with me. <br /><br />Have a great day. <br /><br />Leahleahvhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847263693374815072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199204601605953036.post-89042386879712569632011-04-26T01:01:13.288-07:002011-04-26T01:01:13.288-07:00I stumbled upon your blog because you came up as a...I stumbled upon your blog because you came up as a "people you may know" suggestion on facebook. We don't know each other, but as a blogger myself, I am trying to connect with other women who are grappling with the tough issues of life. <br /><br />Your question of whether to go back to work, start a business, or continue to use up your savings staying home with your precious baby hit a chord with me. As a mother who has juggled the balls I pick up on my own along with those life throws at me, I know what you're going through.<br /><br />Your ideas sound good for a mother primarily because they sound like they would be flexible. Over the years, I've done a lot of different things in order to bring in a little money and yet maximize my time with my children (including managing apartments, teaching art classes in my back yard, sewing costumes, writing, babysitting...) I've not built a career that has given much financial stability, but I have "kept my foot in door" of the industry that most interests me, and have managed to get by and spend a lot of time with my kids. With 2 of them in college now, I wouldn't trade in that time for anything. <br /><br />This will sound so trite. You probably hear it all the time, but it is so true it really bears repeating: The time you have your children in your household really does go by so fast. (Now I'm sounding old!) I remember those sleep-deprived baby days when it felt like the haze would never end... but it did. (I'm still sleep-deprived now, but for other reasons.)<br /><br />I would recommend following your heart. It sounds like you have a love for things that might provide you just the flexibility you need to incorporate bringing in an income with staying home with the kids as much as possible. Don't be scared of starting your own business--as a mom, you have been learning skills that uniquely qualify you for running a business.<br /><br />It's very true that the expenses like childcare, wardrobe, convenience foods, etc. that go along with trying to juggle working for someone else with motherhood can eat away at what ever income you're able to generate. I've known a lot of women who basically make nothing when they run the numbers of all the the expenses of being a working mother. It's no fun working for nothing--especially when you're also missing out on those hugs and kisses and first words and steps... <br /><br />I hope you will be encouraged to follow your heart, and try different things until you find what works best for your family. <br /><br />If you are able to navigate a work-from-home type career, be forewarned, however, that you won't escape the isolation that many mothers feel on this path. Over the years, I've witnessed a battle of the stay-at-home moms vs. working moms. It's been a unique experience for me because working primarily from home, I've felt like I don't fit in with either group. I've also been able to see that the two have more in common than they tend to realize. It would be nice if mothers could be supportive of one another as we navigate through a journey that may not be as cut-and-dry as we'd like to believe. It's not really either/or. You don't have to choose between being a working mother OR a stay at home mom. The more women dialog on this issue without judging one another (or themselves), the more creative solutions we may be able to come up with.<br /><br />Wishing you the best :)My Name's not Really Bridgethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05562586969157219402noreply@blogger.com