"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." --Anne Frank
Or yourself, for that matter!
It's been over 5 years since I made the transition from a working woman to full-time, stay-at-home mama. That transformation, it seems, would have been the interesting stuff to document in the blogosphere. How I adjusted to life at home, how being a first time mother to an infant affected me, dealing with financial changes, etc. So, why, five years later am I just starting a blog NOW?
Before I delve into my intentions, here is some background on me: In 2005, I left a promising, challenging, fulfilling career to stay at home and care for my one-year-old son. On one hand, it was an agonizing decision. I worked as a legislative adviser, employed by various politicians and lobbying outfits. I loved the fast pace of government, the rush I got when meeting important people...and the actual work was pretty interesting, too! But, on the other hand, none of it could compare to the little tow-headed boy who had captured my heart and soul.
So, I had a long talk with my husband, and luckily, he was incredibly supportive of the possibility of me leaving my job (and salary) to be with the little Big Guy full-time.
Fast-forward five years. Here I am, another son and half a decade of stay-at-home mama-ness under my belt. So why, now that things are settled and happy, am I choosing this time to begin documenting my reflections and ruminations?
The answer has a few dimensions. The biggest factor being: Big Guy started full-day kindergarten this year. Now, he's gone from 9am to 3:20pm. His little brother, Little Guy, is in preschool twice a week for two hours. That's not a whole lot of childless time, but this milestone year has definitely got me thinking. What happens when both boys are in school all day long? Will I get a 'real' job? How will I possibly be able to breathe being away from my boys from 9-5? Do I try to find something automatic and flexible, like Target or the like, so I can still be there after school and soccer games, etc.? Will that be worth the time away if I am not satisfied by the work?
Secondly, I miss writing. I REALLY miss it. Striving for excellent, persuasive and moving writing was a huge part of my job and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope that by writing this blog, not only will I provide myself with a creative outlet, but I can resharpen old skills that might (okay, probably) have gotten rusty during my child-rearing hiatus. If I do go back to a job in my old field, this will be especially useful!
Finally, since coming home, I've been wrestling with a lot of different thoughts and issues on a wide variety of subjects. I have lots and lots of thoughts about everything, everyone, everyday. Like, my "About Me" tells you, my whole world is kind of a study in contradictions. We recently moved to a more rural area from a bigger city. I hate that there are really no good restaurants around here, but I love the low crime rate and good schools. It's obvious I am conflicted about whether to go back to work. I probably think a little more about certain things than would a person with a job outside the home, but c'est la vie. I think about stuff, and now I can write it all down - the absolute best way to make sense of things, in my experience.
So here it is. I don't know if anyone will be interested in reading my random thoughts and out-of-the-blue ramblings, but that's okay. I've got a lot to say, even if I am the only one who wants to hear it!!
