Why I changed my mind about being a stay-at-home mom

I had initially

decided to be at stay-at-home mom once my baby was born.

It was a decision I

was sure about—and something I had dreamed of doing since I was a little

girl.

My mom had been at

stay-at-home mom when I was young and I wanted to follow in her steps. I imagined mornings spent bonding with my baby and mommy + me playdates. This was the idyllic motherhood I dreamed about—and couldn’t wait to experience.

I missed focused work without interruptions, the time I

spent talking to other adults, and most of all the extra money I had to buy

myself a nice dress, or go for a manicure or even to buy my baby a cute outfit.

I also wasn’t

expecting the loneliness that came with staying at home by myself with a young

baby, or the lack of privacy and alone time I so craved.

As the months passed

by I got more comfortable in my role as a mom and the notion of staying at home.

But deep

inside I was really missing the opportunity to work, to make even a little

extra income, and keep my mind away from

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider and changing diapers for a few hours a day.

And then one day a

work opportunity came that not only fit perfectly with my schedule and my

baby’s, but also in a role that was a dream for me.

I would be able to

spent a couple days a week at the office while my mom would stay with

my daughter. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect opportunity.

The day finally came to start back at work. As I drove my daughter to my mom’s house to drop her off, my heart sank. I

looked at her sleeping face on the rear view mirror and I cried.

I knew this is

what I wanted. I knew there couldn’t be any more of a perfect person to care

for my daughter. I knew I desperately needed to have this time to work. And yet, leaving her there still pulled at something deep inside me.

There was nothing that could prepare me for this moment.

I knew I would miss

some of her milestone moments. I knew I would miss her terribly. I knew that she’d

be my main topic of conversation to all of my co-workers. I knew I would keep

photos of her on my desk and computer to look at all day long, and I knew there

would be days when I’d wonder if I had made the right decision to go back to

work instead of spending every waking moment with her.

This little person had

changed my life, and no matter how much I tried to live the life I once had, she

was now my main priority.

I wanted to be the best mom I could for my daughter—and that meant having a mama that is purposeful and fulfilled in all aspects of my life.

There are days I still

struggle with dropping her off knowing that I won’t see her until it’s time for

bed.

But as difficult as this new season is —and some days it is quite difficult—I know it is the right decision

for me and my family.

I have to remind myself daily that working really does

make me a better and more engaged mama on the days I do get to be with

her.

And I do hope that one day she will also be inspired to follow her dreams,

just like her mama did.