Lots of things are changing very quickly for our family over the next few weeks! As you know, I'm in my second month of coursework that I need to finish up before applying for nursing school. You've probably also heard a little bit about my two adorable children who keep me quite busy. I also work 35 hours a week and try to keep my house clean. In other words...I am tired! (*Note: I just typed "I tired" there and didn't think anything looked wrong with it. That should be proof enough of my brain atrophy.)
Everything has seemed off over the last few weeks. Nothing is going well and everything is crashing down. Something had to change because it wasn't working anymore. So I've decided to quit my job.
What?! Yep. You read that right. I'm leaving one of the best jobs I've ever had to stay at home with the boys. I'll be done on October 28th and then Aaron and I will jet off to Las Vegas to celebrate! (Well, that trip has been planned for awhile, but it seems like a fitting way to celebrate to me!) And then we'll never go on another trip again in our whole lives because we will be poor!
It will be really hard, I know. Adjusting to just one income scares me, but I know we can do it. My parents have dealt with my mom's seemingly constant layoffs over the past few years, and said that they always end up with way more than they thought they'd have when it comes right down to it. I know this will be true for us. We are no strangers to cutting back or budgeting. We're not great at it, but the need for it hasn't always been there. I have no doubt that we will be fine.
My sanity, however, I am concerned about...! I never thought I could be a stay at home mom. I have enjoyed being able to go to work every day and do grown up things while the kids play with their friends. I needed that time to just be me. But, time is scarce for us now. I don't see Max at all 3 nights a week! Liam is in bed by the time I get home a lot of nights as well. He is showing a little bit of separation anxiety lately, and it breaks my heart. I know that nursing school is where I'm supposed to be, but I hadn't anticipated the toll it would take on all of us. I can't do it all, and I'm starting to see that I'm struggling because I'm trying to.
Everyone I've shared this news with, both friends and family, have responded the same way: "You'll never regret it." And I don't think I will.
Sounds like it's going to be a big change for all of you, but it also sounds like it's the decision that's best for your family. Just think how happy you'll be when you can spend some of your days taking your boys on field trips instead of sending them off to day care? And you won't need notes from day care to tell you what really cool thing one of them did today because you were there to see it! And on those nights when you don't get to tuck them into bed, it will be okay because you were there when they woke up from naps in the afternoon (even if the end of naptime meant you had to put the textbooks down. :)) I'm sure the money difference will take some getting used to, but you'll all be fine. Congrats, and good luck!
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