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I am so excited to introduce a new series of essays intended to celebrate the vocation of stay-at-home motherhood.
I had an idea years ago that grew and grew and wouldn’t let go of my soul.
I’ve received so many beautiful emails from mothers all over the world describing their journey home. I have saved many of them because I knew the letters were written on borrowed, precious time-probably quickly during nap-time, or tapped away one-handed while nursing, or in the wee hours of the morning while the house was still quiet. A few were written by moms whose children have grown and gone on to have their own families, witnesses to the speed of years when days seem long. Some were written by moms who felt overwhelmed and tired, telling me something I had written about being home had offered the reminder they needed to hear in a culture that often undervalues the role of the mother in the home-that they were doing the most important work on earth. Some were written to me on days when I needed to hear the same thing. Some were written in tears, a brand new mom crying out for support, looking for courage to stand strong against outside pressure to go back to work, when her heart was telling her otherwise.
All of them had the same passionate message-“I am so glad I am home. I love being here. I don’t want it to be anyone else. It is sometimes so challenging, but I wouldn’t change my days caring for my children for all the world. It is a blessing, a privilege, a gift.”
I thought that if I could gather personal testimonials, just like those emails I’ve received, from mothers all over the world, they could serve as a small quiet treasure of thoughtful inspiration, gentle encouragement, and reminders of the precious and sacred role of mother.
And that is what I’ve set out to do in this series titled Coming Home.
Bravo!
yay!
I am a stay at home mama from England. Thank you so much for replying to my email regarding pre-school. I treasure this time with my son and I cannot wait to read these stories! Thank you
Thank you–read the first one before I read this and I am so excited to read more!
I'm so glad you're sharing this! Mothers at home is so important! The world is teaching our girls, and women such a different view on this. Thank you for bringing this to light with real women and real stories.
This is wonderful!
This is a wonderful idea! I can't wait to read them π
Thank you so much for starting this series, Sarah! As a young professional woman getting ready for the birth of her first baby (only a month away, wow!) I know I need to hear what these women have to say. It is so good to see that there is a whole community of smart, talented, well-educated women choosing to stay home with their families. I'm grateful that you're sharing their stories!
Absolutely beautiful introduction, I cannot wait to read more!!!
Oh I love this – thank you both Erin and Sarah! I feel so many times that I have to keep my feelings about being a SAHM a "secret" so as not to offend all the working mothers out there {who also tend to be jealous that "we can afford" to have me stay home – you know, with our squeaky-tight budget, coupons, no real vacations, and used cars! lol ;)}. I wouldn't trade these years for anything and can't even fathom the thought of someone else raising my kids. Thanks for giving us a safe place here!
I can't wait!!
I am so excited!
so excited about this, sarah! i loved erin's story. i am so glad you are doing this.
So excited for this series! When I had my first baby I was in graduate school and all of my professors told me I was wasting my potential by choosing to stay home. Now that I have five, I feel so lucky that I get to be home with them all day every day. Crazy and busy and stressful, yes, but life is just that way period, and this way I also get to cherish the beautiful quiet moments with my children as well. Speaking of which, there's a little boy waiting with a stack of books so I better end this comment! π
This is a wonderful idea for a series! Thanks for continuing to focus on moms who are 'in the trenches' and giving us so much encouragement. I hope after this series is done that you'll consider continuing these in semi-regular posts on your blog!
Yay, love this! π
Wonderful! Great idea! Can't wait to read!!
this is so heaven sent, and i can't wait to share it with all of my friends. thank you!!
Love that the title of the series. . .makes me think of the journey I've encountered the past six years–and how I feel God has ushered me to this point where I am finally coming home, full time. So excited and blessed for the opportunity and letting go of the title and embracing the role I know God has called on for my life.
Sarah, Hi! My name is Shelly Cunningham and I recently moved to a tiny village rural Alaska with my husband and our three sons (5yo twins & 2yo) so he could teach and I could (finally!) be a stay-at-home mom. It has not been easy, but it has been worth every sacrifice. I would love to share my story with you (& your readers) if you'd have me. π
rcunningham18@hotmail.com
I used to be a frequent visitor of your blog, but as time has passed and my children have grown, I simply don't make the time to read blogs like I once did. Today I deactivated my Facebook account and have decided to simplify my life a bit. I was looking for something to read that would calm some of the chaos in my and I decided to visit your blog– an old friend. Your series on celebrating the stay at home mother was just what I needed and I too have a story to tell. Mine may not be worthy of sharing with the masses, but it involves the gut-wrenching desire to stay home with my baby after having to leave him in daycare for three months while I completed teaching and my husband completed his doctorate, staying home for 7 years with my two sons, returning to the classroom to "only" teach half-time and finally coming home to the profession I love– the one my family needs to be at its best. I have been back home now for 1.5 years and it was the best decision I could have made. Our sons are 10 and 12 now, but they need us more than ever and I am blessed to be the carpooling, lunch packing and family-centered mom I am today by God's grace…