I'm not sure I can adjust to this
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I'm not sure I can adjust to this
| Tue, 03-30-2004 - 2:16pm |
So I have three children ages 2,3,and 4. I have always worked but recently in the last two weeks I have had to quit working and stay home with my kids. I have been a preschool teacher for 6 years, so you'd think it would be easy for me but it isn't. Since I was 15 I have worked at least one job. When my children were little I felt really bad for missing out on so much, and I said I wish I could sstay home, but couldn't. But I don't know if I can do this. Only because I am in a new state where I have no family and no friends to talk to. And my husbands new job is going to be extremely demanding. So I guess I just need some kind of advice on how to handle it. It's such a big change for me so any help would be appreciated.

Staying home is the hardest thing you will ever do - but your kids will love you for it! I still remember my mom being home with me until I started kindergarten and then when I was in high school she quit her job and was there every afternoon when I got home! At 16, I looked forward to going home after school and having a snack and talking with my mom!
Dana
I wish I could offer encouragement, but I'm not feeling so great about my decision to stay home either. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do! It is so special being with the girls, but I miss my old life too. My friends without kids don't really keep in touch - obviously they don't get me any more - and my friends with kids are miserable working, just like I used to be. I know I'm lucky to have a choice buts its been a tough adjustment. We get out as much as possible – the playground, swimming class, science center, shopping malls, so we meet some moms that way but I just don’t connect with many of them. We trade phone numbers and then never call each other. I feel guilty for complaining-- feel guilty about everything really – spending money, getting mad at my husband for not helping more, you name it. I look at it as a test – I’m being tested. The main question is “Do you love your kids enough to give it all up?” 99% of the time the answer is yes, but that 1% is what nags at you when you are down. I just hope I can get through it with some part of myself left. I hope you can too :-)