About once a week, I get asked the question…
A former work colleague calls looking for help with their resume. We recount stories of meetings in fancy hotels, frequent flier miles stacked to the moon, and never ending emails that were always marked ACTION! He complains about how things are different now and it’s not like it used to be.
And eventually, after laughing over distant memories of a business related something or other, he pauses and asks…
The phone rings and it’s my girlfriend stuck in traffic on the George Washington Bridge. She’s grateful for the delay because it’s the only time we ever get to talk. Her days are so full of kids and daycare and commuting and meetings and high powered negotiations that an unplanned lull feels like a gift. Fifteen minutes on the phone with my friend stuck in traffic is a treasure.
And before we hang up, I hear the question once again….
I’m all dressed up, enjoying a night out, laughing and chatting with my husband’s work friends. They marvel at how big our boy is growing and how silly his new hair cut looks. And the conversation drifts towards me. Didn’t you go to school at…? Weren’t you working for….?
And there it is. Â
That question again…
Hasn’t it been hard for you to give all that up?
Do you miss the challenge?
Do you miss the praise?
Do you miss the paycheck?
Do you miss the friendships?
Do you miss the excitement?
Do you miss being-someone-other-than-Mom?
Do you miss it?
And honestly, sometimes the answer is yes.
But even more so, I don’t want to miss this
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen! I'm a longtime reader here and boy can I relate to this. Yesterday was "one of those days" around here. As I stood at the stove cooking dinner I thought about how I missed the satisfaction of knowing that I had done my job and done it well. With tears in my eyes I told my husband "I just don't feel like I ever do a good enough job." Not a good day. Thankfully my sweet husband said "You ALWAYS do a great job. Not just a good enough job. A great job." That is so nice to hear once in a while. And you're right. While I do have those rotten days like the one I had yesterday, I also have days like today where I played with my kids, finger painted in the kitchen floor with my oldest, rocked my youngest to sleep at nap time and just thoroughly enjoyed every single second of my time with them. Present. In the moment. Grateful. Thanks for sharing this.
I hear it often, as well. I graduated with a bachelors in nursing in 1994 and worked in the nursing field until September of 2007. I quit after Grace was born. I was dedicated, hard working, always available to come in for extra shifts. Then Grace came and it all changed. I knew, when I was pregnant, I would not go back to work after she was born. She is now 2 1/2 yrs old and I still have NO desire to go back to full time work. No way – and miss all of this fun!! I miss the friendships and camaraderie with my former co-workers. We were a large family. I miss them. I don't miss the work.
There is a need to keep up my continuing education. I do this to keep my nursing license current. But, working, now that is a different story. I love my current life and would not change a thing!
Hey Friend,
That was powerful.
I'm going to pass this on!
Love the pictures. I love how you put everything in perspective.
These days go all too fast – besides why would you want to add all that confusion and stress to the lives of all three of you?????
Amen! I always say I have the rest of my life to work a job. My babies only grow up once.
Well said! He is precious! I love your photos!
You go girl! Time passes fast. You'll only have this time once.
It's always worth it, even those days that it doesn't feel like it.
What you're doing now will mean so much more in eternity than any client or position you may have. Such an amazing journey you are experiencing right now. So long, rat race!
Good choice!
Ditto to every single sentiment you expressed.
Amen Sister!!!! Great post.
Have a nice week.
I soooo hear you Sharon! I get that question every time and you put it beautifully! I think that I will use your words (as long as you don't mind) the next time I get asked that question!!!
LOVE IT!!
That could not have been said and illustrated better!
Leah
Oh I love this. I so relate. I "gave up" a high falutin' career to stay home with my kids, at first just part time, and at present, full time. And while on occasion I miss the praise, the paycheck, the feeling of accomplishment…..I haven't once regretted the decision to be at home. The time with my kids is indeed the one thing I don't want to miss.
Yep, I can totally relate to that question. Although teaching isn't the high powered business world it's still very busy job. I miss the relationship with my students the most. However, I still feel my most valuable job is to raise happy and healthy kids. Especially when your ten year old calls you to say she forgot an important project on the counter. (like she did today) If I were in the classroom I couldn't run home to get it that's for sure. My days are numbered and I will be going back to work, my kids are both in school and I need to work. However, I wouldn't have traded my last 6 years for anything with them.
Carey
There's a huge difference from children who grew up with their parent and the children that grew up with daycare centers, baby sitters and/or after school cares. Years later (when they leave home) you will be so glad that you had made the right decision to stay home and care for your own children (especially if you are able to – some moms do have to continue working for various reasons/circumstances – I feel for them – I was in that spot for six years until my second child was born).
There's no greater joy than to lay down your life for your children. I am glad you are able to stay home with your little man. Treasure these days. They do go by FAST.
OK, for a minute you really had me questioning my decision to go back to work:) I don't want to miss that either! It was just a financial necessity for me to starting making some money so that we can do things like save for the kids college.. get decent health insurance.. we just can't do it on one income. But I totally get the point of this post and I really enjoyed it:) And love getting a little reminder of what my old stomping ground looks like in the winter:)
Love this! I'm so thankful I was able to stay home for so many years. I'm working now, and enjoy lots of things about my job, but I'm so glad I didn't have to do it when my kids were young.
I think I'm in a similar phase of life – I miss the challenge of working (and using my brain & having a set agenda and list of tasks to be accomplished by the end of the day. But even more so, I appreciate the fact that I have more than an hour with my children each day during the week – that I'm privileged to be able to stay home with them and watch them grow and learn.
I have to admit, somedays I wish we could just do the same as you! This hustle bustle of the city and commuting and two careers does get to be a bit much sometimes.
Your little guy is so adorable! Great pics.
Very, very well said. I'm so thankful to be able to stay home with my 3 little Weeds. But, there are days that I miss working, especially the clothes! I haven't worn a cute business pant suit in a decade! Yikes! But, I wouldn't miss "this" for anything -jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes and all!
What a sweet blog you have and a beautiful post. It gave me goosebumps!!
What a Good, True and beautiful post!! Thank you for reminding me to cherish what I have and not what I miss (mainly the money & praise – LOL).
What a beautiful blog post and priceless pictures!! As a mama who is still working but at a job where I make a significantly less salary than I did before I had my daughter my take is a bit different but I can relate. I wish I could not work outside the home, I'd love to be a SAHM, and pray it happens one day. In the mean time I am so thankful to have found a job in the education field where I have more holidays and the summers off to be with my daughter. When I am home it is hard sometimes.. craving adult conversation, praise, more $ but most of all cherishing the time with our daughter.
http://johnnjana.blogspot.com/2010/01/almost-wordless-wednesday-fashionista.html
It's like you're in my head. Sometimes I miss the challenges of working. But mostly, I just love being able to watch my kiddo grow. That's more important than anything else in the world to me.
Lovely post…Today, I am celebrating my one year anniversary from leaving my teaching career. It was such a difficult decision… but for me, it was the right one. I know that I will never look back on this time of my life with regrets. That is a great feeling!
What a great article. I really wish we could afford for me to stay home with my boys. We just can't afford it although we can't really afford daycare either. I wish I could find a work at home job.
I LOVE this post!! So true, I have asked myself the question too. I homeschool my 4 kids (Im a former Nurse), and each day watching them learn brings me SO MUCH JOY!! This is my new full time (overtime, all the time) job and I love every minute of it!
I SO agree, after 10 years of it, I still agree!
Ahhhh SO true!
I totally agree! I work weird shifts so I can be there to see some stuff but I wish I was home more.
(
I couldn’t have expressed it any better!
.-= Sara @ Happy Brown House´s last blog ..Today is Mega Swagbucks Day! =-.
I too quit my job to stay at home with my children. Some days I miss the job but I don’t want to miss out on my kid’s life either. I didn’t give birth to them to have someone else raise them
.-= Candi @ Family Stamping and FOOD´s last blog ..Frugal Gardening: Winter Progress =-.
Lovely! This post is perfect! Thanks!
.-= Sarah @ For the Love of Naps´s last blog ..Friday Random Thoughts.. =-.
This post gave me goosebumps. I too, went to school. I have a BSBA. The corporate world was less than kind to me, but there are days where I miss the challenge. To be honest, blogging has become my biggest outlet for challenging myself to think outside of the mommy box. But I can’t imagine missing every single moment I have with my son… they are so priceless and the good days far outweigh the bad ones!
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Saturday Steals =-.
I stepped back from my responsibilities at work a year or more ago and some have asked me if I miss reporting and going out on assignments. I do and I don’t. I don’t because before I was just too tired to enjoy my son at night. Now, I don’t have to rush as much and I’m home at night with him. Would I give that up? No way and I’d actually like to have even more of that time…and hope to find a way soon to do so.
You put it so perfectly. I could not agree more. =D
.-= Melanie @ Whimsical Creations´s last blog ..Soms Studio Supplies Giveaway =-.
Ah yez … well put
May you savor each moment knowing the time and attention given to children is the best gift of all. I enjoyed your previous two posts too and will check out SITS and Friday Follow as time permits.
Hugs and blessings,
.-= Sacred Ruminations´s last blog ..Of Flowers, Critters, and Blessings … =-.
so well put!
.-= wendy´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to Me! =-.
Thank you for being so honest……love the photos and love that you love being a mom!
.-= kalli@fitandfortysomething´s last blog ..Pizza Pizza and a 5K =-.
Amen!!! He is so precious, but in a blink of an eye, he’ll be grown. The time passes so quickly. My daughters are 32 and 29 and it seems like just yesterday they were his size. Then God gives us anything gift, grandbabies and there are just so sweet, if not sweeter than our babies were.
Love your picutres and your words. God Bless You.
thanks Becky! I really appreciate that. I’m already marveling at how fast these first two years have gone!
God Bless you too!
i loved this post sharon… it’s so easy to relate to. i also sometimes miss work, mostly for the ppl i worked with.
yesterday, though, we celebrated maya’s b-day, and all i could think is that this child became three yrs old way too fast, and everyday of those 3 yrs she has made me smile. even on crazy days-
for me to know with absolute certainity that not a day has passed in 3 yrs where i did not smile at least once makes it soo worth it l- it’s a tremendous blessing.
Nope. Don’t miss it at all! Our little people are so worth 24/7. Wouldn’t change my decision for anything!
This was another great post…as always!
Peace and blessings to your day!
Jeanine
.-= Jeanine´s last blog ..FAITH UPDATE =-.
So true! A good post–
This is what living is all about!
.-= Olivia´s last blog ..Six Word Saturday #4 =-.
Breath taking post! I ask myself the same thing. Do I really miss it and some days I do, but I know that I’m the one in charge of their up bringing. Nobody else. We are blessed to be able to do it this way. Not many couples can afford it. That alone gets me through the days when I want to go back to a traditional job. It is a blessing! They are a blessing!
I’m loving listening to this story. I’m tracking with you in many ways and yet it seems different. I don’t exactly what you ‘left behind’ but I do know that better is what you’re living. It is evident in your writing. I’m being encouraged to catch up with you. Interested in recognizing similar issues in my heart and finding strength from steps you are taking. Thank you for helping me have courage to take the steps God is asking me to take. It is not comfortable or exciting, but He is leading, so I hang on to the fact that HE is orchestrating my life. Not me or my husband or my girls. And I’m in a state of obedience, desperately wishing for the confirming heart to catch up with me. It’s all good. Not all easy, But all good.