Becoming a Stay at Home Mom

I know many expectant mothers probably plan ahead to become stay-at-home moms during their children's early years. Some of my friends chose this path, but I never saw myself doing the same. I was always a workaholic—perhaps not the first to arrive at the office, but often the last to leave. I loved my job with the IT consulting firm back then and enjoyed the freedom to leave work whenever I wanted, whether to have a quiet evening at home or hang out with friends after work and on weekends. However, that was before I got married and had a child. Life was no longer the way it used to be...............

When my daughter was born, a single look at her innocent, angelic face made me realize I couldn't bear to be away from her, even for a moment. I immediately fell in love with her, and she influenced the decision for her father and me that I would become a stay-at-home mom. During her first year, we lived overseas due to my husband's job. When we chose to move back to the United States two months before her first birthday, I started looking for a job with a flexible schedule that would accommodate both me and my child, as well as a good daycare center near our future home. My husband had to remain overseas for a few more months to fulfill his work commitments, so it was just my daughter and me, without any nearby family support.

I needed to find a daycare as soon as possible!

Before finding a daycare, once we settled into our new home, I reached out to a friend who lived not too far from us. She was the mother of a 1-year-old daughter, and we agreed to care for each other's children while the other was at work or running errands. She worked the night shift while I worked the regular 8-5. After several days of her watching my baby girl, I realized it was time to enroll my child in daycare. It wasn't that I didn't trust my friend, but I felt she was overwhelmed with other responsibilities and couldn't fully commit to caring for my child.

Through a colleague at work, who later became a good friend of mine, I found a home-based daycare near my house run by a lovely Christian woman everyone called "Nana." She was in her sixties at the time. My daughter immediately bonded with her. (I felt it was a blessing to find her.) She became like a second mom to me, and whenever I picked up my daughter from daycare, I ended up staying an extra 30-45 minutes just chatting, sharing the word of God together, discussing life's challenges, family, etc.

Nana and her family included us in activities such as picnics and trips to the Jersey Shore (since we were living in New Jersey at the time). Her family became like a second family to me, providing much-needed care and support. It was a wonderful period in my life as a new mom, receiving encouragement and guidance from this experienced woman of faith—she had seven children and several grandchildren. Knowing her was truly an honor. Nana cared for Gabby in her daycare for nearly two years, and it was quite emotional when we had to say goodbye as we were moving to Texas for my husband's assignment at Fort Bliss.

Reflecting on the past, this was the first instance in which I had a woman in my life who acted as a Spiritual Counselor and Mentor. I truly believe that God arranged our meeting and utilized her presence in my life at a time when I needed a maternal figure to guide me on my path as a new mother and wife, especially since I had been married for just about a year before my daughter was born. I am thankful to God for my relationship with her and her cherished family.

As Christian women on this life journey, it's always beneficial to have a godly woman in your life who is seasoned, trustworthy, genuinely interested in you, and wants to see you fulfill your purpose as a wife, mother, and daughter of the KING.

I will stop here for now...

Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I would love to hear from you especially if you have been or are a stay-at-home mom. What has been your experience?

I remain yours in the faith,

Margaret (MKO)