Wednesday, November 3, 2010

I'm Grateful: Time with the Kids

Being unemployed has been difficult. Our checkbook has suffered and sometimes I long for the days when I was a working woman - the thinking, the productivity, interacting with people other than my family. There has been a plus side to all of this, however; I've been able to stay home with William since the time he was born.

I never thought that I would be a housewife. It wasn't in my life plan. But it has been wonderful being home with my children and watching William grow. I'm available for practices, games, choir concerts, and whatever comes up. I don't have to figure out how I'm going to take time off to do these things with the kids. I can just get up and go.

I have a bond with William that I don't think I would have if I were working I would have. I have time to take him to nature trails, the library, on trips, to vote, and whatever comes to mind. I sometimes worry that because he isn't in preschool he isn't learning everything he's supposed to, then he comes at me humming a classical tune he heard on TV or I see him "reading" a book and making up a story the worry goes away.
Maybe I'll be able to let go of him next year and send him to preschool. For now, I'm enjoying the time I have with him and the other kids and am grateful for it.

20 comments:

Char said...

this is so beautiful - i was in the same position most of last year - unemployed and hurting. but i look at it as the time that my photography grew. blessings in very big disguises for sure.

lisa said...

mmm yes, this is a true gift.

Lois Evensen said...

It's the best! Being home with your little ones is terrific.
With your background you should surely be well versed in early childhood development and be exposing him to an abundance of learning opportunities.

Hugs,
Lois

Cora said...

Even though it is a struggle...you are so blessed getting to stay at home with your child. I did not have that opportunity with mine.
Hang in there!

Pen said...

Life works in mysterious ways... and I am sure William is equally grateful for the time with you :)
BTW, love your photography. That picture of the two of you with cameras is gorgeous!

Lisa C. said...

I am soooo with you there.. and it really is a struggle to balance and justify... but they make it soooo worth it. bwahahahaha

Mariella said...

Hi Erin, thanks for this post really! I just quit my job and I am currently not working and it was my choice to be at home with my child. Sometimes I do worry that I will never be able to realize myself professionally anymore, but I know that these thoughts are just silly and that in the end I should be grateful of the time I am spending with my baby. Certain moments will not come back.

Joanne said...

These are very special times, these simple days with your little one. Enjoy!

Yvonne said...

I love this post! I'm a SAHM by choice, but I too worry about the things my child doesn't learn being at home with me... Thank you for helping me re-think that!

Michelle said...

What a wonderful thing to be grateful for! Enjoy!

Blogs said...

our kids are theeee best things in our lives no matter what we go through:)

Claudia said...

i think it's so important to cherish the times with the kids when they are small. i was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years when the kids were small - and i wouldn't have changed it for all money of the world. now i work fulltime since 7 years - the children all teenagers and we don't spend that much time together - and i so often think back with a thankful heart for those times we had together

Shannon said...

i think getting that quality time to bond with our children is the greatest gift in the world. so happy that you are seeing this special time with such gratitude.

your blog is so pretty! thanks for stopping by mine recently.

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Rhiannon Bosse said...

you are such a great mom :) what a lovely way for you to take your feelings and turn them into a positive. you rock, beautiful!

Debbie said...

Beautiful post, I love the photo of you and William taking pictures...too cute! Debbie

christina said...

how lovely. a true gift of time.
xo

ELK said...

it is really a gift ..to be home with him..I know it is hard, lots of sacrifices ..that is mothering in a true sense .. enjoy this time!!

Darn Yarn Needles and Thread said...

I know the financial bit is hard, frustrating, and wearing on one's soul. But with you being home, William doesn't need preschool! He's learning something new everyday. What you're doing is what's been done for generations of well adjusted members of society. Preschool is a fairly new "invention".

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