It’s Official: I’m a Stay-at-home Mom

It’s Official: I’m a Stay-at-Home Mom

Yesterday, I was just another woman on maternity leave. Today, I’m officially a stay-at-home mom.

If you had asked me a few weeks ago if I planned to go back to work, I would have said absolutely. In fact, I had every intention of returning.

I’ve been working for a long time. I started helping my mom with her custodial job when I was around 13 years old. From there, I worked in childcare, then restaurants, and even tried making money online through Etsy shops and digital products.

The truth is, I’ve always liked having my own income. Not because I’m obsessed with money or a huge spender, but because I like knowing there’s a paycheck coming in. I like the security of it.

Before I got married, I had built up a pretty decent savings account. But life happened. An unexpected period of unemployment drained a lot of it. Then came our engagement, our wedding, and finding out we were expecting Milo—all within a year. Before I knew it, the savings I’d worked so hard to build was gone.

So I worked.

And worked.

And worked some more.

Even while I was nine months pregnant.

I was exhausted, but I kept going because I wanted to help pay off debt and contribute to our family. My husband handled the larger bills like rent and car insurance, while I covered the smaller expenses. It felt like every time we got ahead, another unexpected expense would pop up. No matter how hard I worked, it felt like we were barely making a dent.

Because of that, the plan was always for me to return to work after Milo was born.

Until it wasn’t.

When I started maternity leave, I told my bosses that I wanted to take 12 weeks off and then come back. They agreed, and I was grateful for their support.

The weeks flew by.

At the same time, they felt incredibly slow.

Because of Milo’s clubfoot, those first few months were filled with appointments. We went through seven casts and more doctor’s visits than I can count. I kept telling myself that once we got through the casting, things would settle down.

Then his doctor told us he needed surgery.

My heart dropped.

The way it was said sounded so routine, but all I could think was, What do you mean surgery? He’s only two months old. He can’t even hold his head up yet, and you’re talking about anesthesia.

Every part of me wanted to say no.

But deep down, I knew this procedure would give him the best chance at a normal, active childhood. I want him to run, climb, play, and ride dirt bikes with his dad someday. I wanted what was best for him, even if it terrified me.

So we did it.

Everyone told me the same thing:

“It’s better to do it now while he’s young and won’t remember it.”

And they’re probably right.

But I will remember it.

I’ll remember sitting in that waiting room.

I’ll remember handing my baby over.

I’ll remember seeing him confused and uncomfortable as he came off anesthesia.

And I’ll remember how desperately he wanted his mama.

That moment changed something in me.

As I held him, I realized I wasn’t ready to leave him every day.

No paycheck could replace this time.

No amount of money could buy back these moments once they’re gone.

And with his clubfoot journey, every milestone feels even more precious. I don’t want to hear from someone else that he took his first steps. I don’t want a text message telling me about a big moment in his life.

I want to be there.

I want to cheer him on when he rolls over.

I want to celebrate when he crawls.

I want to see those first wobbly steps with my own eyes.

I want to be present for every victory, every milestone, and every ordinary day in between.

So after a lot of prayer, tears, and conversations, I made the decision not to return to work.

It’s a little scary.

Money will be tighter. We’ll have to make sacrifices. Life may be simpler than I once imagined.

But Milo will never be this little again.

He will never be younger than he is today.

And years from now, I don’t think I’ll look back and wish I had spent more time at work. I think I’ll be grateful for every morning cuddle, every contact nap, every doctor’s appointment, every milestone, and every ordinary Tuesday that I got to spend with my son.

That’s also a big part of why I started this blog—to create something that allows me to contribute financially while still being home with Milo.

Maybe it will grow. Maybe it won’t.

But either way, I’m choosing this season wholeheartedly.

Because for me, being home with my son is worth every sacrifice.

And today, it’s official.

I’m a stay-at-home mom. ❤️