I’m like a woman obsessed.
I cannot stop thinking, night and day, about whether our family can manage with me at home, and whether they could manage without me at home. The lists of respective pros and cons are getting extensive, although so far they exist only in my own mind. The money, of course, is the big one. Oh, to live in a society where money was not the over-riding all consuming problem, goal and blessing that it is here! To live in paradise!
Because, to be frank, if the money wasn’t an issue then every other issue would be insignificant. They would pale in comparison to the big pro side of the list; a parent at home for our two children, a cleaner house, healthier food, more serenity in our days...theoretically, of course. As healthy and clean and serene as a home can be with two toddlers in it!
I have taken the first steps, though. David and I have started to talk about it. We see eye-to-eye on the issue, for which I can only thank God because as two individuals my husband and I are completely different people and if left to our own devices would never see eye-to-eye on anything! I’ve also broached the topic at work, which is a big step for me. I’m fortunate in my work that the community around me here is very family-oriented. They expected me to leave when the baby arrived and were surprised that I was insisting on returning within a month or two of the birth. Now that I’ve mentioned the possibility of not returning they feel back on solid ground once more and are supportive. They don’t want me to go, of course, but they certainly don’t want me to stay if it means jeopardizing my ever-expanding family.
I’ve also started to ‘interview’ friends from every spectrum of life on how they ‘did it’; how they stayed at home with their children and made it work. For the most part, again, the issue comes down to money. Making it, keeping it and not spending it unless absolutely necessary. Looking at our monthly expenditures I think what we really need to focus on right now is cutting our bills down as much as possible. For us, that seems to mean non-fixed bills. Fixed bills, like hydro, can’t be changed.
This month I’m tackling groceries. What do I buy, what do I waste, what do I make every day? Can I make anything healthier, cheaper, etc.? This morning was a great start to this; we finished off the last of the milk and oats in preparation for our shopping trip (we go to the store every one to two weeks) and I thought "what better day to start"? Tonight I’ll post what we bought and what we’re planning to make from it.
2 comments:
First, and not connected- hey, our friends went to St. Stephens university. Is that near where you live?
We don't have cable, and switched our phone service to MagicJack, which runs through your internet connection and costs some vanishingly small amount per year, and has free long distance anywhere in North America. It's dropped our phone bills a lot.
Our kids wear clothes that were presents, hand-me-downs, or bought at a thrift store. I've acquired huge swathes of my wardrobe, pregnant and normal, but holding clothing swaps. I understand that that might not be possible in your current location but if you think you could organize one through your church, it's great. It combines the fun of getting rid of things you don't wear with a free shopping trip.
Hmm. More as I think of it!
Oh, gee, I wish we lived near the ocean. No, we're in that vast middle bit, unfortunately. Surrounded by a lot of cows. And rocks.
That Magic Jack seems to be a great invention. I'm seriously thinking about it, I have to say. My only concern is that if my internet goes down, I no longer have a phone.
Post a Comment