Back and Missing My Mom

I'm back! It's nice to have internet access at home again. I had to catch up with a LOT of emails and stuff. I'm getting there, slowly and surely.

As I'm writing this, my mom is nearing the end of a loooong flight back to the home country. She left my house more than 24 hours ago, and, due to plane delays, still has to set foot on her own home. I just wish for the trip to be over, because I can imagine how tired she must be.

My son and I came back from the airport yesterday, and the house seemed much quieter than usual. No sewing machine running in the extra room. Just me and my son again until hubby comes home from work. I realized how much I'm missing, being so far away from my parents. Ma and I had lots of bonding time over morning bagels and coffee. We also enjoyed each other's hobbies... I was even able to infect her with the scrapbooking bug! :D

I will miss having lunch with her. Some people told me before that having my mom here would mean that I'll be able to enjoy homemade meals "just like mom used to make". Actually, I really enjoyed the chance to cook for her. And I would dare to say that she's given her seal of approval in that department, which means a lot to me. Hers is the standard I've set long ago for my own cooking.

For a while, there were two moms at home here. It's been a wonderful time, not just for me, but for my hubby and our son as well. My mom has recharged me with her love and warmth. I already miss her, but I know she'll be back, long flight not withstanding. Right, Ma? ;)

Mommy's Day-Off

I stay at home. Do I need a day off? Isn't everyday nowadays a day off?

I answer "Yes" to the first one, and "No" to the second. Well, let me digress. I don't need an entire day off. I wonder what I would do if given one anyway. If I didn't have a whole day event to go to, an entire day away is more than I need. But a couple of hours off every once in a while is not just a luxury. It's necessary for my peace of being. I don't have to do anything special. Simply buying groceries or window-shopping by myself is a wonderful break. What refreshes is simply being outside without having to be constantly vigilant lest my son eat whatever little piece of paper he gets his hands on.

My online SAHM friends are always happy to report when they get an entire day to pursue their own interests. Are they bad mommies? Nope, definitely not. We all need to take care of ourselves, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, so that we can give our best to our families.

Right now, as you've probably guessed, I'm having a little time off. I'm writing this blog in the local library. Our home computer crashed, so it's given me an excuse to hie off while my mom stays with my sleeping son. ;) It's one of life's little luxuries. :)

Be a SAHM in 6 Months

Want to be a SAHM but don't know how to go about it?

The ideas in Scott Danger's "A 6 Month Stay-at-Home Mom Plan" might help you start planning the transition. Although for most cases, 6 months may not be enough to complete all the steps in the plan, it's a good guide to the decision-making process. Scott focuses on the financial aspect of the decision, since this seems to be the primary deterrent for many families. The first step of his plan is determining that being a SAHM is what you and your spouse really want. The rest of the steps involve budget issues, finding supplemental income as needed, and finally, making the change.

This plan is more of a general guideline. Specific areas such as how to find that supplemental income are not discussed. However, it is a good outline to follow toward one's goal of being a SAHM (or SAHD).

If you’re looking for an easy answer to staying at home, this isn’t it. But if you’re willing to work hard and make some trade-offs, staying home with your kids can become a reality.

My article is up!

I'm so happy to announce that an article I wrote for PinoyExpats.org is now up and running! PinoyExpats is an e-zine for Filipinos residing outside the Philippines. Their current issue is dedicated to parenting. In my article ("Changing Careers: How I decided to be a SAHM"), I detail the factors that I considered when I made the momentous decision. It's my first full-length article online, so I'm tickled pink. :)

The editors also picked this blog as their featured site for this issue. Cool beans! Click here to see their main page.