11 Comments
User's avatar
Elizabeth Edens's avatar

And yet your opinion matters hugely to other home-makers. Your skills and thoughts, and how to's. I appreciate you sharing you lens, opinion, and voice here.

Expand full comment
Heather @ To Sow a Seed's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Deborah Hostetter's avatar

This is so relatable and just what I needed to hear! Thank you ❤️

Expand full comment
Shari Sebuck's avatar

I whole heartedly relate to this article. I (we) made the same choice and same sacrifices along the way. My sons were raised in the principles that money is finite and everything is a “choice”. They learned to make good and smart choices. They are also keenly aware that there are many ways to be “rich”, and financially is just one of them. If given the choice of choosing your own “bankruptcy” between financial, spiritual, mental, or physical - I’d choose financial all day long. We are rich in family, relationship, love, and the Holy Spirit. My sons have grown to be two Godly independent men - which was my beacon light in raising them when I also questioned “why not me”. I was 100% present in their lives - through achievements and heartaches. I was their biggest advocate and dragon slayer as well as disciplinarian when needed. I could not have done it without Gods grace and direction through many prayerful nights. We’ve been strapped with “financial shortcomings” most. Of our marriage because of our choices to be all-in parents. And I would not change one thing. We are blessed. Thanks for sharing your story.

Expand full comment
Kathy Young's avatar

My husband and I decided it was best for me to stay home with our now one-year-old after I experienced a mental health crisis 12 weeks postpartum. Your words give me hope that my words, my voice, and my heart still matter in the eyes of Christ. Thank you ❤️

Expand full comment
Secret Sapphic Saint's avatar

Thank you for writing this...it came up on my feed today, just when I needed it to...the cost is great, but the reward is immeasurable...thank you

Expand full comment
Brooke Zoller's avatar

Thank you for writing this. I have sacrificed too like you and have absolutely no regrets. And that gives me such peace.

Expand full comment
Saoirse's avatar

Absolutely no regrets here as well!

Expand full comment
Millie Prebel's avatar

This is so beautifully shared, authentic and vulnerable. I’m forwarding to my daughter who also is in the trenches of this sacrifice… but as you say, Oh the rewards!

Expand full comment
Madeline McCormick's avatar

Good for you making the choice with the first one. Like you, my Plan also didn't include kids in the first five years of marriage and like you, God's Plan provided one in the spring of 1999. However, I didn't listen and put that sweet infant into daycare at 16 weeks. I tried for two years to be the good, modern woman in tech but when the second child came around, I knew I'd been lying to myself. I wanted to be home with the children. I needed it, and so did they, and any story I told myself to do otherwise was a lie. So in 2001, I went home and yes to everything you've written here. The only regret I have is that I put the first baby into the modern "ideal" rather than listen to God's call then. I'm a stubborn one for sure, and I've asked both God and my sweet son forgiveness.

Expand full comment
Emily ML's avatar

I also gave up my career as a part-time nurse almost 4 years ago (actually fired for not taking the jab) & am so thankful now to be the “person of influence” for my 3 girls...homeschooling, teaching them from Scripture, letting them help me cook, bake, & do all those simple things with me at home. I love seeing their innocence because of not being around kids who are online or under the influence of “wokeness” all the time 💗💗💗

Expand full comment