Nowadays, when people ask me what I do for a living, my answer is simple: I’m a mother. A 24/7 staying at home (but not really staying at home), exhausted, exhaustedand especially – thankful Mummy. That sums it up. Of course, once upon a time, what felt like a lifetime ago (but it wasn’t that long ago), I was a teacher. An educator of young hearts and minds, as I would often say. But now I’m consumed with motherhood.
Shortly after I found out I was expecting mine Firstborn, I resolved to hand over my classroom keys and lock the door on a beloved chapter, at least for a while, in order to prepare for the next one. I put my career on hold and don’t regret my decision at all.
maternity Is My job at the moment
In this special phase of my life, I am concentrating on raising my babies. I’m not sure what the future of my career will look like. And I’m okay with that. In fact, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As much as I wish I could just pause these short years, they simply are are not. They are only here for a short time and will not come back once they are gone. And you know what? This bittersweet reality breaks my heart a little more every time I stop and think about it.
Now, I don’t want to say anything negative about the countless (and I might add, incredible) mothers on the other end of the spectrum. The ones who are pushing their careers full speed ahead while raising little people. This is their journey and I applaud it! For me? maternity Is my entire journey at the moment. . . And that’s something I don’t take lightly. Pausing a traditional career to raise children is certainly not for everyone (nor is it possible for everyone, I know), but for me it is the right solution. I get to be the one who teaches my kids, takes care of my kids, and is there for my kids 24/7. . . and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. The Is my most important work and I am happy with the position I find myself in.
I don’t allow myself to worry about the future
I could sit here and wonder how I’ll ever re-enter the workforce one day – you know, when these too-short, “small” years are long gone – but I choose not to. Instead, I absorb what I am Do Did: Spent time with my favorite people around the world. Long days full of little moments that will soon become precious (if sometimes foggy, I’m sure) memories. Even longer nights full of cuddling, comforting and taking care of everything I’ve always wanted: my babies. My big, imaginative, over-growing babies.
And although I don’t get any special promotion for the endless hours I work, I earn far more than any position other than the one I currently hold could offer me. That means I gain the gift of time. Becoming a mother and watching my once tiny babies grow into brave toddlers ready to take on the world made me realize how short life is and I bet I’m soaking it all up. There is no time to worry about the future. The beautiful, strenuous, winking present is already so short.
I’m still here – and I’m still growing
People often talk about how easy it is for women to lose themselves in motherhood. Although it inevitably involved saying goodbye to parts of my former self, becoming a mother (and saying goodbye to life—career and everything I once knew)—has given me an entirely new sense of self. Motherhood for now Is my identity. My job. My 9-5. . . and every hour before and after.
Although it sounds like I’m getting lost in it, the truth is quite the opposite. With full-time motherhood as my job at this stage of my life, I have actually found myself. My new and improved self, my strongest self, my ever-evolving “I’ve waited forever for this self.” I have never felt more comfortable in any other position than in this one mummy, and I know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I am still here. I’m still me. And I’m still growing.
My career is on hold, but my work is not
As a stay home mom For a 1.5 year old and a just 3 year old, my career is the last thing on my mind right now. But that doesn’t mean I’m at a standstill. Instead, I just shift my focus and do my best for my babies. These years are short. As much as it breaks my heart to say this, I know I will never get her back. My career may be on pause for this season of life, but my work has never been more important. And that is something I will never look back on and never regret.
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