Quitting my teaching job was probably the most difficult decision I’ve ever made.  I know other women say it was the easiest decision they ever made.  You love your kids more anything, so it should be a no-brainer right?  Well, it didn’t seem that straightforward to me.  Maybe that’s because I’m horrible at making decisions and often second-guess my dinner choice at restaurants once I see other people’s food.  So I relied on the old pro-con list.  Or in this case the pro-pro list.  I’d recommend it for dinner menus as well. 🙂

Reasons to keep my job as a teacher

• I love kids- it’s the reason anyone becomes a teacher.  They say funny things.   They give hugs.  Enough said.
• Teaching new things is fun.  Maybe I like being a know-it-all?  I seem really smart compared to eight-year-olds.
• I have something that is mine.  It’s my own little world away from the family.
• I feel like I’m doing important work.  I’m contributing to society and making a difference.  It’s not curing cancer, but it’s something.
• I got lucky with a great school community.  I loved my co-workers, principal, and parents.  I couldn’t ask for better support as a teacher.
• I get paid.  Who doesn’t like that?

Reasons why I should stay home with my kids

• I love MY kids.  My happiest moments in life are having fun with my two girls.
• It is a calmer life.  I know being a stay-at-home mom can be hectic sometimes.  But, to me, it feels more laid back than being a working mom.  No morning hustle out to get everyone dressed, fed, and packed up.  No trying to start dinner the moment you walk through the door after a busy day.
• More freedom.  It’s beautiful outside and I want to go to the zoo?  Done.  It’s cold outside and I want to snuggle up and watch a movie?  Done.
• Daycare is expensive.  Yeah, I was still making money…but not that much.
• They are only little once and then it’s over.

And that last reasons is the one that sold it to me.  How many years do I have left before both my kids are in school?  Three.  That’s not much.  Why not spend as much time as possible with my kids in those three years?  So here I am.  (Okay technically right now I am spending time with the computer because my kids are upstairs napping, but you knew what I meant, right?)