Have you seen Denise Laurel’s #WhipIt commercial? Hers is my favorite among all the #WhipIt stories because I can really relate. I am not a single mom, but I think stay at home and work at home moms get judged oftentimes too. “Sayang… (Such a waste…)” – I’ve heard this hundreds of times before every time people ask me about my work. “What’s an Atenean doing at home taking care of the kids?” some of them would even ask. Let me share with you what Denise Laurel has to say about labels…
“Labels are a challenge. To me it was challenge accepted. Sayang? I don’t think so.”
Not too long ago, a friend told me that their company has an opening and she’d like to offer the job to me. I politely declined and told her that I’d rather work from home. She then brought up what happened a few weeks ago: when I was offered a supervisor position in a big company, but I didn’t take it.
“Why?” she asked, looking confused and a bit disappointed. “Ayaw mo ba ng regular income? (Don’t you want regular income?)” she added.
Well, here’s why.
I chose working from home over a regular job because there is no better set up for us than this. I’d feel extremely bad if I work six days a week, 8 hours a day, while my husband is mostly away because of work. Who, then, will take care of the minis? A nanny? My mom? I’d rather take care of them myself. Sure, I get stressed a lot of times because my two toddlers just love testing mommy’s limits, but I love being with them – every day, 24 hours a day, no less. Nothing makes me any happier than that (except for an occasional sundae cone on really bad days :D).
I chose working from home over a regular job because I want to be there when my husband comes home after duty. I love that I get to prepare a nice meal for him, to talk to him about how his duty went, to talk to him about how my day went. If I were out working, I’d probably go straight to bed after work because I get so tired easily (no thanks to hyperthyroidism).
I chose working from home over a regular job because it pays the bills. Don’t take this as bragging ha, but with clients that pay well, I am earning better than many who work out of the home. I don’t have a salary as high as CEO (although someday I wish to earn like a CEO MOM-EO), but I earn enough for the bills and a family vacation every now and then.
More than clients that pay well, I chose working from home over a regular job because I get to work with people who have the same vision. It’s absolutely amazing how God leads us to where we should be when we have lost our way. When I was offered the position of supervisor (and a week later, another company called to hire me for a marketing position), two of my contracts ended and I really felt I might need to get a regular job so we can get by. Then, surprisingly, a woman whose mission is to bring hope (my word for 2014!) and encouragement contacted me for a full-time work from home job. It’s amazing that now, I get to earn while doing my life’s purpose. And I love that I get to work with someone who gets me and that the work we do together will contribute to a much bigger thing – which is impacting the lives of others.
So why do I work from home when I have an option to work for a huge company in the Philippines? Working from home not only provides for my family, but also gives me time for them. It not only develops my skills and knowledge, but also allows me to grow as a person. Most importantly, working from home makes me happy. Genuinely happy.
Those are my reasons for choosing to work from home. I want this post to remind other stay/work-at-home moms OR dads to appreciate their situation. And I also want this to serve as a reminder for everyone to think before judging. We are all amazing regardless of what our choice – in this case, of work – is because, well, that’s your thing! As long as you are happy with what you are doing and it is not putting yourself or other people in danger, then keep doing it. 🙂
your post is a powerful reminder for me to finally embrace being a SAHM. I had to constantly remind myself to appreciate how blessed I am to be home, personally caring for my minis. Your post gave me the “paradigm shift” I’ve been praying for. My situation is kind of different I suppose as my 4yr old firstborn seem to be a special needs child (he is scheduled to be assessed on June). I’ve attempted several times to be a WAHM but then I would withdraw my application after passing initial screening tests when the reality of deliverables and deadlines would dawn on me. With a very attention hogging 4 yr old and a 20 month old who refuses to wean off (still feeds at nighttime and cry relentlessly if he fails to latch on when he wakes to feed), right now im not very confident to commit to an employer. Im also yaya-less, I also find them just adding to my stress. However, iD feel insecure evry now and then and feel I am not being productive enough as a wife because I am not generating income. Your post gave me a calm. I know you’re post is on being a WAHM over having a job outside of home. Nevertheless, im owning it as a SAHM, who just needs to be patient for now, focus on my panganay, and wait on how the Lord will lead me to becoming a WAHM.
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I soooo love this post! I wish I could find a work at home na..=( gustong gusto ko na maging WAHM at alagaan nlang ang baby ko ..=)
Thanks for dropping by, Jenny. 🙂 You may want to do part-time WAHM work to have a feel of it.
Ako sis I had been a working mom for 20 years and last Septmeber 2013 lang ako nagkacourage to resign and be a WAHM. AT tama ka sis kahit hindi ko kinikita ang sahod ko nung nasa corporate pa ako kahit madaming nagjuudge bakit daw ako umalis sa peak ng career ko, Money cannot buy time and happiness with our kids….It was a tough decision but very very worth it.
Been here from Mommy Bloggers Philippines FB Page.
Its me Cielo of Brown Pinay
http://www.brownpinay.com
Thanks for dropping by Mom On Duty, Cielo! Your story is truly inspiring. 🙂
How I wish to stay and work at home too. The only thing that makes me work out of home is finances. My husband is not earning enough to cover our monthly expenses and I on the other hand is helping him earn for our family especially for the kids…
I love how you embrace your life! And oh, you went to sandbox already.
Well, there’s no other life to embrace so might as well love, enjoy, and make the most out of the life I have. 😉 Yes, we went there during the media preview. Were you there too?
I’ve been wishing and praying for the day that I can be a wahm. I feel like my kids’ childhood days are running our right before my eyes. Sigh.
very nice post. I wish I could be a WAHM too.
Thank you 🙂 If you have questions about being a WAHM, you can just email me.
thank you for the inspiration mommy Kim. I am a working mom and aspiring to be a WAHM soon. If only I have enough courage, I will resign na, as in now na. In His time, I know I can do it. Hat’s off to you and to all SAHM and WAHM. God bless!
I’m sure He will guide you towards what is best for you and your family. God bless you too! Feel free to message me if you have questions about being a WAHM 🙂
You have chosen well Kim. 10 years ago, my husband and I could’ve followed other musicians out the country when the live band circuit staggered, instead we chose to fold our music sheets and take our chances here because of our children. And although things can be so tough at times, our choice hasn’t changed. 🙂
One of my goals before was actually to work abroad as well. I thought I’d be able to do it, but after seeing my daughter then a year later, my son, I just couldn’t leave! You’re right, times can be tough sometimes but I don’t regret my decision. 🙂
Beautifully written. I chose to be a SAHM (and hopefully become a full-fledged WAHM soon) because I was thinking of my daughter. 🙂
Your post reminded me of my word for 2014 which is “hopeful”. Thank you for sharing.
Oh we have the same word for 2014! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by! Let me know if you need advice on starting out as a WAHM.
You’re welcome, Kim. I just realized as soon as I woke up that, indeed, we have the same word for 2014, which is “hope”. Maybe I was just so sleepy a while ago that I wrote “hopeful”. 🙂
Thank you for the offer to help. Will do. 🙂
Blessings on you!
You’re an inspiration Kim! Sobrang nainspire ako as I see you venture in a business you definitely love. 🙂
I wouldn’t have done it if Kay (my partner) didn’t encourage me to do it. Haha! You’re doing a great job as a WAHM, too! 😉
Ditto: because I want to be there when my husband comes home after duty. I love that I get to prepare a nice meal for him, to talk to him about how his duty went, to talk to him about how my day went. 🙂
Diba? I think this is especially true for wives of men in service. Iba kasi when the husband goes home after duty and his wife is there waiting for him.
Well said ate Kimmy..
Thanks Mau 🙂