When I became pregnant I had every intention of going back to work. I should clarify here that the work I’m referring to was that of an office, a male boss, a 50 hour work week and a paycheck. I didn’t think I could afford to stay home and resigned it within myself that my baby would be enrolled in daycare. Little did I know that the daycare option was not going to be an option at all, and therefore, “work” was about to take on a whole new meaning.

M. developed food allergies as an infant. His allergies are severe enough, and plentiful enough, that trusting anyone to have the diligence to care for him the way my husband and I would was off the table. That meant that M. became my new employer and I was working for free. Sales calls turned into doctors calls, “shopping” competitors turned into shopping for diapers and weekly staff meetings turned into weekly play dates. Another big difference - I used to get an hour lunch break and pee when I wanted….ahhh, those were the days.

When I first heard of M.’s allergies I prayed feverishly. Day and night I asked God to take them away. And then something interesting happened. When we realized M. wouldn’t be safe in daycare we began to discover ways we could cut costs so that I may stay home. My husband picked up a Sunday job and I supplemented with working every other weekend. We began to believe that it was possible to turn me into a stay at home mom. And even though I still pray every day, all day, that M.’s allergies will disappear, I can’t help but be grateful that he got them. If he hadn’t, I don’t know that my husband and I would have worked so hard to come up with a Plan B. And now, when he outgrows them, his mom will still be there - dancing and shopping and playing and taking him out to lunch for his first peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be a stay at home mom. I didn’t know how we would manage. But, here we are, managing. I don’t live in a mansion or drive a sports car (M.’s car seat wouldn’t be able to fit in it anyway) but we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and food in our bellies. I don’t know how we’re doing it, but we are. It’s funny how we can live on less and not even miss the other stuff. I don't care about the fancy dinners or the movies or extravagant trips to Europe because I think of the alternative. I can remember watching M. take his first step, I heard his first word, I dance with him every afternoon and get to take my time with him in the morning as we get ready to take on the day. There is just no comparison.

You might be asking yourself, “Yeah, but what does this have to do with “what the books say”. Well, I guess it’s that sometimes we get caught up in the book we create for ourselves. We write down our plans and feel an allegiance to them. But life changes and it’s okay to change with it. Don’t fear the unexpected or the unplanned or become angry when what we think we want doesn’t happen. It just means there is something better and grander waiting for us. And although we want our prayers to be answered, just remember, that one of God’s greatest gifts is sometimes an unanswered prayer.

Until next time,
"My Way" Mom

Disclaimer: Information posted is not meant to replace advice given by your doctor. It is for entertainment purposes only.