Mom is staying home!
By Stew
A month ago, I shared that my wife was planning to work outside the home during this school year. We had every reason to believe that she would be hired and our children would attend that school free of charge. The added income would have reduced our financial strain significantly and if you remember the reasons, the decision was almost 100 percent financially based. However, it turns out that she will not be taking the job.
Here is how it developed: my wife was invited to apply for the position last February. She filled out the application, participated in a preliminary interview and then waited . . . and waited. . . We were told on several occasions that she was hired, but things continued to drag on – no contract, no information on a start date, no final salary numbers, no concrete details. Her job was going to be a teaching position and with school starting in less than a month, Mrs. Stew finally took things into her own hands, drove to the school and requested a meeting with the administrator. She said that she needed a final answer by last Friday and was assured that she would be called well before that day. Of course Friday rolled around and there was no email or phone call.
When the deadline passed Mrs. Stew informed all of the families for whom she provides in-home daycare that she would be continuing to provide that service for the next year – of course, then the school called her the following Tuesday and offered the job . . . but it was too late. It sounds to me like this particular organization is having some administrative problems. Even though the free education and the extra money sounded good, there probably would have been more than a few headaches with this job.
Implications
- The income for which we had been planning will now be cut in half.
- We will not be able to dig our way out of debt as quickly as originally planned.
- Our children will now homeschool.
- Our lifestyle will need more trimming.
Places where we will save money:
- Clothing – work clothing for Mrs. Stew and school clothing for the children.
- Transportation – we will not need to purchase another car.
- Food – If Mrs. Stew was working, I know that we would have eaten out more often.
Ultimately, I think our whole family is glad that mom will be staying home this year. Even though he doesn’t realize it, I know that our two-year old will be happier staying home and our overall family stress level will be lower with mom around more to “steady the ship” .
And our budget? Mrs. Stew and I went through it with a fine-toothed comb the other night and some belt-tightening will be necessary, but I think we can make it work. We will have trouble accumulating an emergency fund and our retirement savings will have to wait another year, but as I told Mrs. Stew, if we had more surplus in our budget, our faith in God will not have to be as strong!
Photo by oksidor
August 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Stew,
I am glad things worked out for the better. Mrs. Stew was right to stick to her deadline. In my experience, a company/school/employer who cannot maintain the basic admin requirements would definitely have let other things ‘fall through the cracks’ … like your paycheck.
Maybe God has something better planned for you financially. I mean, I don’t even think Gibble Guy ever thought he would be completely out of debt w/in 3 yrs of his life changing event. And this year when I needed a part-time job to get out of debt faster, God turned one of my volunteer jobs into a paid position. HE is good!! (Nahum 1:7)
Thanks for the update.
August 12th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
stew,
i am so happy that your wife will be home with the family. we were in the same position as your family about five years ago. i know debt repayment and retirement are important, but once the kids get older you really can start taking care of that. this time in your life when you have little ones flys by so fast. just try to roll with it now financially and reap the joy that comes with a young family.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
sounds like all is working out great, great to see your optimism
August 12th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Dear Friend in Christ,
I am a 60-year-old, empty-nester, who chose to stay home with my children for reasons related to my faith, homeschool my children (not so popular nor government-friendly in the 1980’s & early ’90’s) and also had an in-home daycare business, so I understand the joys as well as hardships that come with those decisions, especially as the (then) victim of divorce. You will be blessed for making your family a priority over the extra money a different job might have brought. I actually made more income at daycare than I could have working outside the home and there are great tax write-offs (including food, home expenses, & square-footage allowances). At that time there were also many programs available providing free food for daycare providers. When my children were older, I went back to college and now have my Master’s and am still self-employed in my new career, but am remarried to a wonderful godly man. I wish you the best & want to encourage you to continue on this new path. There are many Christian websites & organizations that have helpful information & resources available now.
God bless you & yours in all your endeavors,
In Christ.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Oh good! I agree with your pro-con list but as a SAHM I know this will be far more rewarding for the Mrs.
Enjoy the little ones!
August 13th, 2009 at 1:07 am
I’ve never regretted coming home to stay with my children after 8 years as a working mom. Yes, the money is super tight sometimes, but the 10 years I’ve been home have made our family stronger and healthier than it ever would have been otherwise. I’m glad things are working out well for you all.
August 13th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Hooray! It’ll work out. Debt-reduction is important, but there are other things that trump it.
Maybe once your wife gets in the groove of things, she can start some sort of cottage business or in-home day care.
Good luck to your family!
August 13th, 2009 at 1:21 am
I’m very happy for you. My husband has taken a 20% pay cut the last year (I’m a SAHM), and we’re doing better financially than we ever have. I know firsthand that God will meet your needs, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll make those goals.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
My wife was a SAHM until the youngest turned 18. She wouldn’t have had it any other way, and I’m so greatful she made her OWN decision back in 1975 when our oldest was born.
God made it work for us… He does that when you truly turn it over to Him thru trust and faith.
I always enjoy your writings, Stew.
God Bless
August 13th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I’m glad that things worked out the way they were “meant to”. I enjoy your postings about your family as I am a stay at home mom. Good luck to you all.