Today is the boys’ last day at daycare. Anders has gone twice a week since he was 10 months old. Finn’s been there since he was three months. It is a great home with loving people, but I never really wanted them in daycare.
I resigned from my job at MSU as of Aug. 24. It’s a great job, working with amazing people, during a bad recession. In some ways I think I am nuts to quit, but I have been just holding on for the last three years. Working 30 hours at MSU, plus freelancing, plus having and raising kids has taken its toll. I’m as surprised as anyone to find out I can’t do everything.
With school behind him and contacts made, Henry is working more. I will still be freelancing every chance I get and we are cutting our expenses (daycare was our second largest expense after our mortgage). I’d feel a little guiltier and more selfish if I wasn’t so tired.
Now that the end of daycare is near (3 hours!) I am both thrilled and terrified. I want the boys home with Henry and I. I want to be able to do some of the things we haven’t been able to do with them gone twice a week. But, I still have to work and I am not sure how that is going to flesh out. I guess we’ll figure it out.
I have two more stories and a few miscellaneous items to complete before the 24th, and then I am home, too.
I’m so happy for you! I know it’s scary as hell right now, but believe me, it will somehow all work out. I made the same choice nearly 2 years ago and have absolutely no regrets. Although I will say, I’m still tired all the time. 🙂
WOW….how exciting!!
Thanks, Debi! I know it will be great…and I know that I will probably be tired for the next ten years 😉
Woot Woot! I’m glad you are realizing you’re worn out. That is what it took me too as well before we switched over. For some reason, mom’s are never supposed to be worn out. It’s totally not fair. I like to own my exhaustion 🙂
We have found that going from two sizable incomes and daycare to one income has been the largest mental transition to make. We’ve had to think more about what we want to do that what we are told we “should” do.
But a few years in, it is WAY worth it. Everyone in the family just gets so much closer.Just be prepared to have bizarre arguments with Henry ever now and again that neither of you really know why you are bickering. Something about transitions and changing paradigms and such. It’s kinda weird 🙂
We’re three days in and I love it already! Of course, I haven’t been working at all, so that helps 😉 And bizarre arguments…aren’t they all!