I am a stay at home mum

The week I finished work to prepare for my baby’s arrival the government budget was handed down. I found out my workplace was being abolished and I was going to lose my job.

I was part of the leadership team at work (think middle management) and so was part of many meetings about how we would deal with this. I can’t tell you how many of these meetings there were, but I can tell you that I cried through every single one of them (really professional *cough*).

I just kept thinking – what’s going to happen to my maternity leave. We just bought a new house. We have another baby arriving soon. I love my job. What am I going to do!

It took quite awhile to see, let alone accept the silver lining.

That I would be able to stay home with my children for longer by accepting a redundancy. This is a blessing. It just means giving up job security which makes me nervous. We had reached a point where I had found a good balance between work and home life (sure it could tip in either direction from time to time, but overall it was working for us). I was lucky that I was passionate and engaged in my work. I manged two teams and worked part time. And I loved it (I think I was kinda ok at it too).

In accepting this reality though, I am finding myself feeling more and more excited that I will be home with my kids for longer. Although, this is interspersed with anxiety about not having a job. It’s funny the ups and downs you can go through. And it made me think back to my very mixed feelings on returning to work after my daughter turned one. It has also made me realise how far I’ve come professionally, but also on my parenting journey.

So here is to my next adventure – as a stay at home mum!

Warmly, Kelly

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27 Comments

  • Reply Jodie Clarke October 20, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Can only imagine your uncertainty during those meetings, I’ve been in that position too and all you can think of is your family and the security. But yes, a silver lining I believe because you are going to have such a wonderful new journey now and I have no doubt you will open a new door very soon, you have such talent xx

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks so much Jode xx

  • Reply Kim October 20, 2014 at 4:56 am

    So sorry about your job. It is always hard when those things happen, but when you love your work, it is even harder. There are always difficult things in our lives, but taking time to see the silver lining is key. And yours looks pretty good 🙂

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:49 pm

      Thanks so much Kim, and I agree my silver lining is pretty wonderful xx

  • Reply Sara @ Happiness is here October 20, 2014 at 5:16 am

    That’s hard xx
    But when one door closes…

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:49 pm

      very true!

  • Reply Danya Banya October 20, 2014 at 6:34 am

    It’s hard when the decision is made by others for you, but I’m so glad you can see the silver lining. And as Sara said, when one door closes…. keep an eye out for other doors….

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks Danya, I think having no choice was hard!

  • Reply Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky October 20, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    What a wonderful silver lining and one that will keep your heart full for your lifetime x

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      So true xx

  • Reply Zena October 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    That must of been a very unsettling time and in the end a blessing in disguise as you mentioned although I can imagine the timing with a new mortgage would be tough on finances. However sometimes the universe makes the decisions for use:) We are still renting and for us to get our first home loan I would need to leave the home front and start paid work. I am pulled in two directions at the moment.

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:51 pm

      It’s tricky balancing these things isn’t it – but you are right the universe sometimes does decide our path to an extent

  • Reply Carrie P. October 20, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Oh, Kelly, you are going to love being home with your kids and your kids will absolutely love having you home!! Wish we lived closer together to have playdates!

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      that would be wonderful Carrie! One day we will have that playdate x

  • Reply Andrea October 20, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    At least you can experience the best of both worlds for a while. Beautiful photos 🙂

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Thank you, and yes 🙂

  • Reply Anastasia Saenko October 21, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    It’s a blessing to be able to be at home with little ones! I wish you and your family all the best, as it is a bold decision to leave work. But it will definitely pay off!

  • Reply ziezo October 22, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Congrats Kelly! A huge step into a tough job. It took me some time to get adjusted to the SAHM life, but would not trade it right now for a ‘professional’ life. Enjoy!

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      Glad to hear others took a little while to adjust and it isn’t just me!

  • Reply Penny October 22, 2014 at 5:17 am

    Oh honey, it’s hard to let go of that comfort and financial security, isn’t it?! You’ll be more than fine and when (and if) you are ready you can go back to a new job. Enjoy being a SAHM first. It’s so nice to have time to enjoy your babies!

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Thanks Penny, you are so right x

  • Reply pauline@lessonslearntjournal.com October 22, 2014 at 7:03 am

    It is scary. (We could have shared a box of tissues together during those meetings :)). It’s so good that you’ve been able to turn this change into good, into a blessing for you and your family. xo P

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Thanks Pauline xx

  • Reply Kate Lloyd October 26, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    Great post thank you Kelly. Beautiful photographs too.

  • Reply kate - thecrafttrain October 27, 2014 at 5:10 am

    I never pictured myself as a stay at home Mum either because I loved my job before having kids, but here I am still 6 years later – and it has been an absolute blessing for our family and I would not give back a second.

    • Reply Happy Whimsical Hearts November 11, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      it is pretty wonderful isn’t it

  • Reply I'm a working mother ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts November 9, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    […] is truly full of surprises. Not long ago I was mourning the loss of my job, and before that I was heartbroken at returning to work (and it was the same […]

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