October 20, 2005

Hold me

I just officially quit my job. I'm unemployed. Un. Em. Ployed.

I want this so much. I am so fortunate we are able to do this.

I think I might pass out.

Posted by Beth at October 20, 2005 04:09 PM
Comments

Congrats! Scary, I know, but very awesome that you guys can swing it. Cheers!

Posted by: Rhonda at October 20, 2005 04:41 PM

Hang in there- you've already been at it for a few months, now it's just "official." If you ever decide you want to go back, work is there, office and all.

Hurray!

Posted by: Momtothelady (Chatty Cricket) at October 20, 2005 04:46 PM

Wow! Very cool. Do you need to staple anything to tide you over during the transition?

Posted by: etherian at October 20, 2005 04:48 PM

Excellent! It may be scary but you'll never regret your decision. I am so glad I got to stay home with my kids when they were babies and toddlers and preschoolers. Even though I was poor, you cannot put a price tag on that time with them. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Posted by: Ms. Q at October 20, 2005 04:52 PM

Oh wow... the making it official would certainly scare me a bit. Just think about how much you would hate being at the office all day while Mia was with someone else. Does that make it less frightening?

Hopefully in a couple of years, I'll be in the same boat. But I'll be quitting before I give birth to our second, if I have my way.

Posted by: lori at October 20, 2005 04:57 PM

Congrats, Beth - totally the right decision! I wonder how things would be different for many mothers in the US if you had similar maternity leave to us here in Canada.

Also, even though my husband earns five times my salary as a teacher, I am glad I have an occupation that is so family friendly.

Juggling work and motherhood shouldn't have to be so hard! And shouldn't be an either or situation too.

Posted by: Jacqueline at October 20, 2005 05:36 PM

It's an odd feeling isn't it? I work part-time, but at least I feel like I can say, "I work in a lab." Like it somehow defines me. I need to get over that because I may losing my job by the end of the year.
Being a mom defines me...I had just better admit it.

Posted by: angela marie at October 20, 2005 05:54 PM

everything will work out, it has to..why? because somehow or another it always does :)

Posted by: penguintarts at October 20, 2005 06:05 PM

You have the very most important job in the world. Congratulations. I wish you and your family great success in your lives together.

Posted by: cassie-b at October 20, 2005 06:08 PM

Welcome to the sisterhood...

Oh and see that eBay thing? It gets worse when those chubby cheeks are replaced with sassy door slamming... I was thumbing through the yellow pages tonight looking for a child slave racket to sell a few of mine off to!!

Posted by: Amber at October 20, 2005 06:18 PM

Congrats!!

Posted by: kat at October 20, 2005 06:30 PM

Congratulations!

Posted by: Nancy at October 20, 2005 06:35 PM

Have you forgotten that you are now the housekeeper? ;-)

Seriously, congrats! I am enternally grateful for having been able to stay home and raise my kids. I have a sneaking suspicion that you will be too.

Enjoy!

Posted by: Jaycie at October 20, 2005 06:36 PM

Have I told you lately how jealous I am of you? Congrats on quitting your job for an even more difficult (but more satisfying) career. Another job outside the home will come along if you want it. In the meantime, enjoy!

Posted by: Irene at October 20, 2005 07:01 PM

Congratulations!

Posted by: Dawnie at October 20, 2005 07:14 PM

Congrats! Although it is so hard, I am sure Mia would thank you for it if she could!

Posted by: Emily at October 20, 2005 07:51 PM

lucky you!

Posted by: Magnolia Mom at October 20, 2005 08:04 PM

Congratulations!

Posted by: Eulallia at October 20, 2005 08:18 PM

Wow...good for you.

Today I visited the first daycare for future baby still in the womb. Damn, how can they charge that much money??!!

I may just have to stay at home and sell fresh baked cookies to pay for diapers!!

Posted by: Isabel at October 20, 2005 08:21 PM

haha good job i'm quite proud of you

Posted by: Jessica at October 20, 2005 08:37 PM

You quit?! Wow. You are braver than me. Even if my wife made double what I did, I think I would be afraid to quit.

Ofcourse, one day at home and I would never want to go back...

Posted by: Jon in Michigan at October 20, 2005 08:54 PM

That's great, and probably scary too. I haven't commented in a while, but I currently 4 months pregnant and we are considering me staying home. It's a tough decision. My husband is a little more hesitant than I am, but he says in his heart it's what he wants. Good luck and anjoy your time with Mia!!!

Posted by: Hannah at October 20, 2005 09:05 PM

Congratulations! Just this afternoon I was wondering how that particular quest was going for you. I guess because I'm wondering how/if it will go for me in the not-so-distant future. It's not just you who's fortunate - it's Mia, too.

Posted by: shokufeh at October 20, 2005 10:26 PM

But very employable should you wish to return to give the workplace the benefit of your expertise. Also given Mia's demands, unemployed may not be the correct technical term.

Posted by: belgianwaffle at October 21, 2005 05:36 AM

congratulations. enjoy being a stay at home mom.

big, scary life decision, but i'm sure you'll love every minute of your new job - cuz i can't think being a SAHM is a cakewalk.

Posted by: suze at October 21, 2005 08:25 AM

I felt the same way when I quit earlier this year. I tried to just pretend I was still on maternity leave for about 8 weeks then I couldn't keep up the deception and I just freaked out knowing I walked away from a lot of money and a career. But who can put a price tag on being there to grow a child! I am proud of you!

Posted by: Krista at October 21, 2005 08:32 AM

ahh, you will do well here on the dark side

Posted by: Shannon at October 21, 2005 08:48 AM

heh...scary I know. I did the same thing..but at least I had a year to prepare myself.

Enjoy it!! Mia deserves it.

Posted by: Pamalamadingdong at October 21, 2005 09:14 AM

oh, honey, you're employed all right. miss mia is your boss, don'tcha know? you jump when she says jump and you also ask how high. she rulz! ;) best of luck at your new full-time job. may you one day get promoted to having TWO cute little bosses ruling your days! :)

Posted by: RazDreams at October 21, 2005 09:39 AM

Congrats! You'll be fine. And I know this is wrong to say, but there are days where I wish I were married with a kid so I could stay home instead of coming to my job. Not because I want to experience the joys of motherhood just yet or raise an upstanding citizen, just because my job is like something out of Office Space. I hope you're enjoying your first day of unemployment!

By the way, where'd the link to your husband's site go? I started reading his site through the link on yours and never saved to my faves... now I have to google for it!

Posted by: erin at October 21, 2005 10:10 AM

I'm into my third week of Un.Em.Ploy.Ment.
Mine was not voluntary. I'm going through phases. First week cleaning, second week errands, third week t.v.
I wonder what next week will hold for me.

Oh yeah I'm glad for you!
:)

Posted by: DayByDay4-2Day at October 21, 2005 10:11 AM

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

I was hoping you would do this, from the moment you told us you were pregnant, because I suspected that once you met her, it would be hard to let her go. Contrats!

Posted by: jen at October 21, 2005 10:17 AM

Yay!!! Sunday nights will seem soooo s-t-r-a-n-g-e! Not having to start another Monday at the office, and all.

Posted by: steph at October 21, 2005 10:39 AM

It's all good.
Mia understands..
Look deep into her eyes....
she gets it...
does anyone else matter?

didn't think so....

congrats. Know this was hard for you to decide.

Posted by: dazeymae at October 21, 2005 10:41 AM

Wow Wee - you are living out my dream! My mom managed to stay home with me until I was 7 and my sister was 5. (All hail the Budgeting Queen). I had a very happy childhood, and now have a better relationship with my parents than ANYONE I know. I am so enthusiastically confident that this is ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT THING FOR MIA - thankyouthankyouthankyou for being a great Mom!

Posted by: Betti at October 21, 2005 11:00 AM

Mazel Tov! You are now the proud "employee" of your house and home. The proud and hard working head of the "stay at home" department.

Don't kid yourself, just because you won't be paid in spendable dollars, you are still employed. And at probably the best job out there - Motherhood.

Enjoy every minute of it.

Posted by: casey at October 21, 2005 11:12 AM

welcome to the world of stay-at-home-momism, the hardest and most rewarding thing you'll ever do.

it's a great thing you're doing but you've already figured that out!

Posted by: monique at October 21, 2005 11:18 AM

Congratulations :)

Posted by: ava at October 21, 2005 11:21 AM

Now we can be "funemployed" together. I'm not sure what that means, but hey - whatever. Welcome to the world of funemployment. Don't feel the need to bake everything all at once!

Posted by: GranolaSpice at October 21, 2005 11:33 AM

Good for you! I know it takes courage and selflessness but you know it's all worth it. My mom stayed home with me and my sister and I'm glad she did. Mia will too.

Posted by: Colleen at October 21, 2005 11:45 AM

Congratulations! I admire your decision and think you won't regret it. Enjoy!

Posted by: carrster at October 21, 2005 12:29 PM

Oh SO EXCITED! I wish I could quit with you!!!!! Yeah! You brave wonderful beautiful woman you!

Posted by: Gypsy at October 21, 2005 01:32 PM

i think the hardest part for me about leaving my job was not having the regular adult interaction. solution? join lots of playgroups! i don't love club-type things, but they have been well-worth the alternative of staying home alone (with my kids) every day. There are even infant playgroups...at least where we live. have fun!

Posted by: instamom at October 21, 2005 02:03 PM

Yea!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!!

Posted by: Maribeth at October 21, 2005 04:57 PM

Congratulations. It will be okay. I am so glad for you that you are able to do this. However, be prepared, the staying home thing and not working is a bigger adjustment than most are prepared for. It's normal to have some bumpy times as you get settled in...and even after.

Enjoy your daughter.

Posted by: sleepingmommy at October 21, 2005 05:23 PM

Yippee! Way to go Beth - you'll never ever regret it! Congratulations Mommy!

Posted by: Marie at October 21, 2005 06:27 PM

WaaaaHooooo!!! cherish all your mommy moments without having to worry about an outside job!!!

Posted by: lizabetty at October 21, 2005 07:10 PM

Congrats! I am so jealous.

I'm sure it must be so much harder for Chris to go to work now that both his girls are home!!!

Posted by: ::c:: at October 21, 2005 07:12 PM

Wow, wow, WOW. Huge step. Congratulations. Here's to a great new chapter in your life.

Posted by: Marilyn at October 21, 2005 08:16 PM

Big sigh... can I close my eyes and pretend it's me? I've always wanted to.... quit ... my .. job. It feels good even in fantasy.

Congrats!

Posted by: JustLinda at October 21, 2005 09:29 PM

Congratulations, mommy.

Being a stay-at-home mom has been the most rewarding job of my life. Enjoy it. Cherish ever moment you have with that little girl; you will never regret it.

If you get stir crazy, look for a playgroup in your area... I've decided they're not so much for the kids as for the moms. Even if you don't get stir crazy, it is great to get feedback on stuff of all kinds from other moms in the same boat.

Posted by: Anne at October 22, 2005 01:08 PM

Congratulations! I'm very happy for you, that you have this opportunity. I doubt that you'll ever regret choosing to be at home with Mia. Enjoy yourselves!

Posted by: mags at October 24, 2005 01:15 PM

This is the very coolest. I had this opportunity with my daughter, as well. This was in the era BEFORE digital cameras so we have books and books of photos of her. And she and I. Because what else had I to do all day but sit around and gaze at her? And play. And just be amazed by her loveliness and perfection. So I took her picture. By the dozen. Every other second. ;) You are so lucky to be living in the digital era. It makes the whole storage thing so much easier...

Posted by: Keri at October 25, 2005 03:07 PM

Congratulations to you!!!!

Posted by: Mama M at October 27, 2005 08:46 AM