When I reflect on my life choices, I can honestly say that if given the chance, I might not have opted for the stay-at-home mom (SAHM) path. There, I’ve admitted it.
However, let me clarify: when I made the choice 13 years ago to remain at home with my first child, it was the right decision for our family at that time. My husband and I were just starting out, and it was financially sensible for me to take charge of the household while he worked. After years in the corporate world, I embraced the chance to slow down and experience the joys of motherhood firsthand.
I walked away from a rewarding and well-paid job, and I never looked back.
The following years were spent navigating the intricate world of parenting, filled with diapers, bottles, and temper tantrums. I found deep satisfaction in raising happy kids, and for a long time, I was genuinely content with my identity as a mother. I managed to silence the nagging doubts in my mind about whether stepping away from my career was the right choice, pushing those thoughts aside for the most part.
But now, my children are older—10 and 13. They require less of my attention, and the house feels eerily quiet once the morning rush settles. With my daughter now in full-time school, I started taking on some freelance projects, managing to balance work while still being available for my family. I felt I was juggling both my professional and parental roles effectively.
Yet, as I successfully navigated my writing career and new job opportunities arose, I found myself torn between my household responsibilities and my growing desire to reclaim my professional ambitions. The dishes in the sink and laundry piling up became symbols of my frustration. I began to feel trapped by my mom duties, resenting the fact that my commitment to my family was overshadowing my personal aspirations.
I’m tired of being just the maid, chef, and taxi driver. I’m ready to become the CEO of my own life. My kids are old enough to handle chores, and no one will suffer if we eat off paper plates for a while. Changes are coming because I have dreams to chase, and if it means fewer home-cooked meals and a little dust collecting on the shelves, then so be it.
Now is the time for me to step away from my SAHM role and leap back into my career. And you know what? I feel no regret.
For over a decade, I dedicated myself to my family, putting my career on hold. Now, I am ready to reignite that spark, embracing the chance to pursue my professional goals once again. I refuse to apologize for wanting to shift my focus from motherhood to personal fulfillment, especially as my kids approach their teenage years.
Just as I navigated the transition when my youngest started school, I am now preparing to embark on a new journey that will allow me to pursue my aspirations. I will have the freedom to make career choices without being weighed down by carpool schedules or school events. I look forward to the opportunity to work late hours on projects that inspire me and to engage in conversations with my husband that go beyond discussions about our kids.
While I cherish the moments spent with my children, I often question how I so easily set my career aside. The truth is, as I re-enter the professional world, I will value my achievements even more because I understand the challenge of reclaiming one’s identity after years of focusing solely on family.
I once was a woman with a vibrant career and ambitions. I will always be a mother, and that role is irreplaceable. But soon enough, I will rediscover my true self, and I can hardly wait.
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Summary: A mother reflects on her 13-year journey as a stay-at-home parent and the growing desire to reignite her career as her children become more independent. She explores her feelings of being trapped by motherhood duties and her determination to reclaim her professional identity without regret.