If I had the chance to redo my journey, I would think twice about becoming a stay-at-home mom (SAHM). There, I said it.
Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify. Thirteen years ago, when I decided to devote my time to raising my first child, it felt like the best choice for our family. We were newlyweds, just starting out, and it made financial sense for me to manage the household while my husband worked. After years in the fast-paced corporate world, I embraced the chance to slow down and immerse myself in the joys of motherhood.
I stepped away from a thriving, fulfilling career and never looked back—at least not for a long time.
As the years rolled on, I found myself entrenched in the daily grind of motherhood, navigating diapers, bottles, and the occasional toddler tantrum. For a while, I found satisfaction in my role as a mom, pushing down the occasional doubts that crept in about whether I had made the right decision. I managed to quiet that nagging voice in my head—until recently.
With my kids now 10 and 13, they require less of my constant attention. The house has become eerily quiet once the morning rush subsides, leaving me with laundry and dishes that only keep me busy for so long. After my daughter started full-time school, I worked on balancing a few freelance assignments while remaining available for family needs. I felt like I had achieved a balance, but soon, the urge to reconnect with my professional identity began to resurface.
Lately, I glance at the ever-growing pile of laundry and wonder, “When is it my turn?” I find myself frustrated, feeling tethered to my mom responsibilities. It frustrates me that I am so committed to my family’s needs that it shows when the laundry isn’t done or the pantry is bare. I feel like I’m in a battle with the laundry machine. I’m done being the maid, the cook, and the chauffeur; I’m ready to reclaim my identity and focus on my own ambitions. My kids are old enough to pitch in with chores, and nobody will suffer from using paper plates for dinner. Change is coming, because this mama is ready to chase her dreams.
The time to transition from my SAHM role to a professional one is now. And you know what? I’m not sorry about it.
For thirteen years, I have poured my energy into everyone around me. I’ve sidelined my career, but now I’m ready to breathe new life into my professional aspirations. I refuse to apologize for wanting to shift my focus from being solely a mom to embracing the woman I can become as my kids approach college. Just as I adapted when my youngest started school, I’m now faced with the reality that in a few short years, I’ll have the freedom to pursue my ambitions.
I will finally have the luxury of making career choices without the constant pull of carpooling, daycare, or school activities. I can dedicate long hours to work that inspires me and awakens my creativity. I’ll be able to meet my husband for drinks without the conversation revolving around our children.
While I cherish the moments I’ve shared with my kids as they’ve grown, I still question how I was able to walk away from my professional life so easily. It’s a realization that anything I pursue in my career from now on will hold even greater significance, knowing what it took to return to my former self.
I was once a woman with a promising career and aspirations. I will always be a mom, but soon, I will rediscover the real me. And honestly? I can’t wait.
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