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
27 Comments
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
Thanks so much Jode xx
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 🙂
Thanks so much Kim, and I agree my silver lining is pretty wonderful xx
That’s hard xx
But when one door closes…
very true!
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….
Thanks Danya, I think having no choice was hard!
What a wonderful silver lining and one that will keep your heart full for your lifetime x
So true xx
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.
It’s tricky balancing these things isn’t it – but you are right the universe sometimes does decide our path to an extent
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!
that would be wonderful Carrie! One day we will have that playdate x
At least you can experience the best of both worlds for a while. Beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you, and yes 🙂
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!
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!
Glad to hear others took a little while to adjust and it isn’t just me!
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!
Thanks Penny, you are so right x
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
Thanks Pauline xx
Great post thank you Kelly. Beautiful photographs too.
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.
it is pretty wonderful isn’t it
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