If I could rewind the clock, I might not have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM). There, I said it! But don’t get me wrong—when I made the choice 13 years ago to stay home with my first child, it felt right for our family. We were young and just starting out, and it made perfect financial sense for me to manage the household while my husband worked. After years of grinding away in the professional realm, I was ready to slow down and dive into the joys of motherhood.
I stepped away from a thriving career and never looked back—until now.
For years, I navigated the whirlwind of motherhood, filled with diapers, bottles, and the occasional tantrum. I found joy in raising my kids, and for a long time, being a mom was enough. I was content to let my children be my main focus, shoving aside the nagging voice that sometimes questioned whether I had made the right choice. Most days, I could silence that voice, burying it deep in my mind.
But now, with my kids aged 10 and 13, they require less of my time. My mornings are quieter, and I’ve run out of laundry to fold. After my daughter started school full-time, I began to carve out some freelance work while still being there for my family. I felt like I was juggling both my mom and professional identities—until that familiar tug to revisit my career ambitions grew more intense.
Now, as I stare at the dishes piling up and laundry accumulating, I find myself asking, “When is it my turn?” I’m realizing that I am frustrated and resentful of the household responsibilities that seem to be holding me back. I’ve done such a great job managing my family that they notice when laundry is late or the pantry runs low. Honestly, I feel like I’m waging war against the laundry machine! I’m tired of being the maid, the cook, and the chauffeur. I’m ready to reclaim my identity and prioritize my professional aspirations. The kids are old enough to handle their own laundry, and nobody will perish if they have to eat off paper plates. Changes are coming because this mama has dreams to chase.
So, when do I get to step away from my SAHM duties and leap back into my career? The time is now, and I feel no remorse about it.
For 13 years, I’ve poured myself into my family. Now, I’m finally prepared to reignite my career. I won’t apologize for wanting to shift my focus from motherhood to being a woman whose kids will soon be off to college. Just as I adapted to my last child entering school, I recognize that I have a whole lot of life left to chase my dreams and reclaim what I let go of when my children came into the world.
I’m ready to make selfish choices. I want to make career decisions without being tied down by carpool schedules and school performances. I’ll be able to put in long hours on projects that inspire me and awaken my creative spirit. I’ll get to enjoy cocktails with my husband after work and have engaging conversations that don’t revolve around our kids’ activities.
While I wouldn’t trade the moments I’ve shared with my children, I still wonder how I so easily threw away my professional aspirations. How did I walk away without a second thought? I now realize that anything I pursue professionally will hold even more significance because I know the struggle of rediscovering who I am.
I used to be a woman with a vibrant career and ambitious goals. While I’ll always be a mother, soon enough, I’ll get to be my true self again. And I can’t wait!
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Summary:
After 13 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I’m ready to reclaim my career and pursue my professional dreams. Now that my children are older and require less of my attention, I’m determined to balance my roles as a mother and a professional. It’s time for me to embrace my ambitions and rediscover my identity beyond motherhood.