There are three women in my life who are in a transition stage of going from stay at home mom or part time self-employed into the throws of a full-time job. It honestly tugs at my heartstrings because I recognize what a huge decision it is and I know the challenges that are ahead for these wonderful moms. I also know the rewards that are ahead.
As I talked to them each and learned more about what led to their decision, they all had one thing in common.
I’ll get to that soon.
They had a variety of reasons leading down the path of exploring a full-time job. For one it was financial reasons. For the others, it was a mix of finally feeling ready to take the plunge and challenge themselves in a different way or feeling like they wanted to start building for their life after the kids grew and starting to get in touch with what that life looks like.
As the exploration led to a decision, there was one commonality among them.
God was at work.
One of my friends said she was innocently dipping her toe into the waters of just thinking about going back to work outside the house and boom; a near perfect job came her way. She was only looking for a part time job outside but told me that apparently God had other plans because that part time role “magically” became the perfect full time role upon offer.
We don’t always get some lightening bolt from heaven when it comes to God directing us. In fact, I have never had some jolt like that putting me on one path versus another. Sometimes the directions from above are really quiet. When the dots all of a sudden start to connect or you hear a non-literal voice surrounding you; that’s the Holy Spirit.
In the cases of these three friends, each one of them had an example of God at work leading them to their decision.
The decision to go from stay at home mom or part time working mom into a full-fledged working is a really personal decision. I honestly get a little emotional thinking about it because I know each path has ups and downs and there really is no best way or right way.
The advice I have given my friends that I want to pass on here is simple; yet you have to intentionally do it.
First, give yourself grace. You are likely learning new things and feeling like you are drinking out of a firehose some days. You earned this job and you can do it. Remind yourself of that.
Give yourself time. This goes with the first one but it’s important to also remind yourself this is new. The job, the routine, it is a lot of new things. There is no way you will be in a good groove the first couple of weeks. It is going to take time.
Reflect and pray. I am a seasoned working mom but I still reflect and pray constantly. Learn from your mistakes, set a plan on how to be more successful next time. This could be small things like making kids lunches the night before or heck having them make their own lunches so you are not running out the door late each day. It’s also going to be bigger things. Reflect on what went well and what could go better and set up solutions where needed. Pray daily. In your car on the way to work, in the bathroom, anytime you need to re-center and find guidance.
Celebrate wins. Maybe it’s small like you didn’t get lost finding a conference room for a meeting or you worked all day and still did a load of laundry. Be proud of yourself every day, especially the tough ones.
If you are currently adjusting to being a working mom or maybe just dipping your toes into the waters of exploring the possibility; we are here to raise you up.
Related:
Read more of Stephanie’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
