It seems that the internet is full of negative opinions on women who are in the position of resigning after maternity leave. It can be hard to identify all the positive benefits of staying at home with your baby when it goes against the popular opinion of our culture.
Choosing to not go back to work after having a baby is not an easy decision. It does mean that you will be sacrificing a great deal. That includes the income, the benefits, the health insurance, a more lavished lifestyle, and much more.
However, from personal experience, I can tell you that the joy that comes from raising your child at home is worth every bit of sacrifice that comes with it.
I was working a corporate job for a large company all the way up until I gave birth to my first child. When I was dating my husband, I let him know the desires of my heart from the beginning. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom if it was possible because I saw the benefits of raising my child over having a higher status of living.
Thankfully he agreed and together we worked hard to make that dream a reality. It came with a great deal of sacrifice, but never regret.
While working in the office with several other women, it was heartbreaking to see them return so quickly to work after maternity leave. Several of them would be in tears behind their cubicle walls, either missing their baby, trying to figure out how to pump and store breastmilk, navigating daycare concerns, and more.
I know that not everyone has the opportunity of resigning after maternity leave. However, I do know that if we encouraged more women with the benefits of staying at home with their children, more people may have the chance to experience these benefits!
Let’s check them out…
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You Get To Be The One To Raise Your Child
Resigning after maternity leave and becoming a stay-at-home mom (or dad) means you actually pick up more responsibility than before! Now you are suddenly wearing more hats than you are used to and figuring out how to manage a “job” that has no holidays, vacation days, or weekends!
But, the best hat of all that you get to wear is the hat of mom. As a mom, you get to teach your child what you choose, raise them how you best see fit and grow a strong bond with them every day.
Have you heard the saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”? As a stay-at-home mom, you are the biggest influence in your child’s life, and what a privilege that is!
Related Post: The 3 Best Books To Help You Decide To Be A Stay At Home Mom
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Be The Keeper Of The Home
Once I became a stay-at-home mom, I realized that I wasn’t just “not working” anymore. Actually, I was working more than ever. My role simply changed and I had different duties throughout the day.
I was in charge of the cleaning, laundry, groceries, budgeting, appointments, animals (we live on a homestead!), and so much more. I realized I needed new systems and routines to get all the tasks done.
The fact is that your value does not decrease when you are resigning after maternity leave. It only increases ten-fold! Instead of adding value to society through a career every day, you are adding much more immense value to the world by running your home efficiently.
These new responsibilities are an honor to have and I treat them like a job!
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Make New Friendships
As a stay-at-home, I have the opportunity to make new friendships with other moms, especially through church and MOPS. I thought that leaving my corporate career would make me lonely as I cared for a baby each day.
And, I’m not going to lie, sometimes it can be. But, if you are intentional to make new friends that are in the same season of life as you, you can find so much joy doing motherhood alongside others.
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Opens Up New Opportunities
Speaking of new opportunities, whether it’s a new side hustle, taking classes at night, or learning a new hobby, you have new freedom to change your career path or enjoy new things in life when you quit your job!
Taking care of a baby and managing your home doesn’t necessarily take up your entire day if you manage it well. In your free moments, you can take the time to recharge and do something you enjoy. Perhaps something you have never had the chance to enjoy before in life!
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Save Money And Live Minimally
Even though you are no longer making an income from your previous job, you can now save money in other ways.
One way I have found that I can contribute to our family budget is by saving money wherever possible. I do this by using reusable items instead of single-use items, shopping around for the best deals, and finding ways to cut costs on bills.
Our sacrifice in being a one-income family also helps us live a more minimal and simple life! We get to enjoy our family and focus on what really matters instead of trying to keep up with the Jones’.
Each purchase we make is very intentional, we save money wherever possible, and, we live below our means.
Related Post: Can You Become A One Income Family? Here’s How We Survive and Thrive!
Only having one beat-up car, a tiny house, not going on vacations, and shopping at thrift stores may not seem glamourous, but it is completely worth it when I know that we are the ones that get to raise our children and be with them each day!
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Step Into Your God-Given Role
You, as a stay-at-home mom resigning after maternity leave, now have the opportunity to be the CEO of your home. You get to help your family thrive each and every day!
God designed women to desire to have babies, raise children, and instruct them as they grow up. A desire to stay at home and leave your corporate job is not a bad thing.
I can say from personal experience, that while hard at times, it has come with so much joy. I am so thankful that it is possible for our family to live this way. And, I wouldn’t change it for the world!
The fact is that you are far from JUST a stay-at-home mom when resigning after maternity leave. Your value is far too great to even put a number on it!
Let me know in the comments below which of these positive benefits to quitting your job and resigning after maternity leave is the most impactful for you.
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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