Woman: Five Minute Friday

Every Friday I like to join other Christian writers over at Five Minute Friday. Our purpose is to encourage one another through our writing and networking. This week the prompt is Woman. Below is my five minutes of unedited, uninterrupted writing:

One of the hardest parts of being a woman is making the choice whether or not to stay home with your babies. Weighing the choice between raising your babies in the home or contributing financially through full-time work is a daunting task. But, I’ve learned that this doesn’t have to be a choice. You can have the best of both worlds.

This was lesson learned the hard way with my firstborn. At the time, I did not qualify for extended leave from my teaching position since I was fairly new to the district. Because of that, I went back to work six weeks after her birth. This time around, I was blessed to be able to spend seven months at home with my baby girl.

As summer winds down and I start to think about going back to work next week I can’t help but thank God for the time I had at home. Over the years I’ve learned that I wouldn’t do well as a full-time stay-at-home mom. My mind likes to be constant and creative and I find it difficult to express myself the way I was created to at home in that setting.

All women need to embrace self-care no matter what that looks like for you.

I’m learning what it means to be okay with working. Where I used to feel guilty I’m beginning to understand that I can be a good Mama while also being a working Mama. Part of my witness to my girls is that “you can make a difference” and I show them that by going to work each day and pouring into students and colleagues.

If you think about it please say a prayer for me this week as I return to the classroom. Not only that, but on my first day back my oldest daughter enters kindergarten. So, I’ll be leaving my baby for the first time and dropping the other one off at school for the first time. Any mom can attest to the mess of emotions that I’m bound to experience. Please pray for peace and strength as I enter this new phase.

The Ameri Brit Mom