Why Be A Stay-At-Home Mom?

I was 18 when I began my career in the Hotel Industry. To say I LOVED it would be an understatement.

Working in the corporate world, while going to college, kept me busy and on the right path to a successful career that lied ahead. I worked hard and met amazing people that I still consider some of my very best friends to this day.

I worked at a hotel for just two years when I was honored to hold the role of Employee of the Year when I was 20 years old. In a company full of incredibly talented and hard working individuals, this was an honor for me and I was so excited about it!

Time went by quickly and the opportunity came to transfer to another hotel. I worked hard and made my way up to eventually become a Sales Manager for the most beautiful hotel in Las Vegas. I made good money, I loved my co-workers, I had the best boss and I was honestly and truly HAPPY. I was making my way up the corporate ladder and was going to be the most successful business woman ever… until something happened.

Something changed my life forever.

It was a cold January evening and I laid in a hospital bed. I heard the monitors beeping and felt a breathing mask on my face. I couldn’t hold back the tears as I was so confused. “Where am I? Where is my husband? Where is my baby?!”… I opened my eyes and the doctor was above me. “You are fine, Danielle. You are in the recovery room – and you are a MOM!”

“I…am…a…mom” I thought to myself? “I am… a mom? …. I am a mom?” And then it hit me – “I AM A MOM!”

In rolled my precious baby girl with my husband just moments later. He laid her in my arms and tears flooded down my cheeks. My precious baby that I had waited YEARS for – was in my arms. She was perfect in every way. AND she changed my life at that very moment.

Eight short weeks flew by and it was time for me to go back to work. I was going to put my baby in day care and get back into my corporate routine. I missed my job at the hotel and we needed money. As the week approached to go back, I began getting extremely anxious. I couldn’t leave my new baby in day care. I couldn’t not see her for 8 hours a day. I honestly, could NOT do it.

The day I quit my job was hard. I was saying goodbye to a career path I spent years working on. I was saying goodbye to great friends. I was saying goodbye to goals, paychecks and bonuses. That was huge – but I knew it was right for me and my family.

As I was walking out of the hotel, someone stopped me and said, “Why would you EVER leave your job to stay at home all day? I would NEVER do that.”

To fight the tears that could have come out of my burning eyes, I simply said, “Because I am a mom.” And walked away.

Now, I don’t like the “mommy-wars.” I think that a lot of women NEED to work and ENJOY working outside of the home and that is TOTALLY fine. Some women need to work because of their family finances and some need to work for their own sanity and health. Some enjoy it and really love it!

But today I would like to share with you, why I chose to stay at home. Why it’s okay for some women to WANT to stay home and that being a stay-at-home mom is actually NOT a bad thing… at ALL.

Here are 7 Reasons Why I Chose To Be A Stay At Home Mom:

1. BECAUSE TIME FLIES: I love the quote, “The bad news is time flies – The good news is you’re the pilot.” We have complete control over how we spend our time and exactly what we do with it.

Our children are only young for so long – and I didn’t want to miss a thing. I didn’t want to miss the first time she held her head up so strong or did her army crawl across the wood floor. I didn’t want to miss the first time she ate solids and made that skrunchy nose look or the first step she took. I didn’t want to miss potty training and I didn’t want to miss helping her with homework. I want to be with her and witness all of her milestones.

2. BECAUSE MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING: Don’t get me wrong – money is HUGE and a big part of life, but we learned to budget and learned the difference between “needs” and “wants.”

Going down to one income is NOT easy – less food in the house, less shopping sprees, less fun dates, less vacations – but it is worth it. If you took a look at your budget, you may be surprised how many “wants” are on your “needs” list right now, but you could easily survive without.

3. BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUR OWN BOSS: Think about it – you don’t have anyone to report to, besides your cute baby. 🙂

You get to spend all day playing, laughing, reading, coloring, cuddling and making memories. Now let’s be honest – sometimes the babies are the bosses. If they are hungry – you feed them. If they are poopy – you change them. If they are tired – you put them to bed. If they want to play – you bring out the toys. But for the most part, you are in charge!

4. BECAUSE THERE IS NO DRESS CODE: This is probably the best part about being a stay-at-home mom. Comfort to the MAX! I lived in a suit and heels for many years – now I wear leggings and yoga pants on a daily basis.

Honestly, I rarely even do my hair and that is totally fine too! I have learned to embrace the mom bun and love it!

5. BECAUSE YOU DO LEARN EVERY SINGLE DAY: Albert Einstein said, “The only source of knowledge, is experience.” I have heard a lot of women say that stay-at-home-moms aren’t using their education or furthering it, but I am here to tell you that I learn something EVERY single day. As I experience life with my little one on a daily basis, she teaches me what life is all about. Together, we learn and grow and through experiences our knowledge grows.

6. BECAUSE IT PAYS BETTER THAN THE CORPORATE WORLD: I can’t think of any better payment than the feeling I get every day when I get a hug and big wet kiss from my girl. Lets get serious – there are lots of tears, owies, poopy diapers and stress. BUT with each of those moments, comes cuddles, smiles, slobbery kisses and memories.

7. BECAUSE YOU ARE A MOM: Last but certainly not least, I chose to stay home – simply because I am a mom. James E. Faust said, “The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.”

I hoped for her, dreamed of her and prayed for her before she was born. And now that she is here I love her and want to spend every little minute I have with her!

So – Why would I EVER leave my job to stay at home? Because it is the BEST job in the whole entire world!

Do you love being a mom? Don’t forget to share! –

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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

March 24, 2017 by Danielle Davis | 2 Comments