Over the past few years, I have made many decisions about how to spend my time. Growing up, I was always busy with excelled classes in school, extracurricular activities, dance classes at least four days a week, and teaching dance as well. This busy life styled continued through college and even into the beginning of my marriage. My husband and I got married in June of 2009, and I started my first teaching job at a high school along with being a cheer coach and teaching dance lessons that fall. My husband was extremely busy as well and taught at the same dance studio, so it didn’t seem like such a big deal.
Then, we got pregnant. I started to think of how to cut back and become a mommy. I decided to cut back my hours at the dance studio. After Ayva was born and my maternity leave was over, going back to teaching school, coaching cheer, and teaching dance was a big struggle. After getting through the school year, I decided something had to change. I decided to go part-time teaching school. Luckily, I was able to do this with the support of my husband and my school’s principal. I am so blessed to have parents and in-laws that are wonderful caregivers to our daughter and even bring her to all of my games that I coach.
This lasted for a year, and then just recently I made another huge decision to resign from coaching cheer. Although I loved coaching and it has been a huge passion of mine, my love and passion for Ayva is so much stronger. I am super excited to spend this next year being able to experience so much more of Ayva’s life.
Have you had to make tough decisions about working or staying home with your children?
I think it’s great that you recognize you need to make changes to have a balanced life ! Even better, you are able to make those changes. Good for you!
I love this Jenna! Great blog! Great choice! I myself am a stay at home mom and also teach at my kids’ school! I am able to bring my baby (private school through church) 🙂 I think this is a great blog! Looking forward to more!
Jenna, I also can relate to your huge life decisions you have made. I just recently decided to take a leave of absence from teaching to stay home with my two year old little girl, Khloe. It if funny how your passions begin to change once a life is brought into your life. I wish you all the best in your new adventure! Being a Mommy is truly the best joy!
Awesome blog lady! You have come SO far since HS 🙂 As a SAHM I have currently put career goals on hold to be a full-time mommy. However, I am applying to grad school so if I get into that everything will change. It’s all about finding balance 🙂
Great post Jenna!! I can totally relate to your!! Before my little girl was born (now 3 years old), I was working 60+ hours per week and traveling like crazy….and couldn’t imagine it any other way. Once she was born, my world was rocked….in a wonderful way! I went back to work 32 hours/week (no travel) and it was fabulous! Now that my dear son has arrived, I am mostly a SAHM but still having that need for “something else”, I am starting up my own natural baby food business. Still busy as all get out, but I get to be “here” and see all the firsts and share all the special moments. Sure there are sacrifices to be made and budgets to rearrange, but I wouldn’t change this new life of mine for the world. Bottom line, we all do what works for us and our own family situation, but once you find that balance….and it DOES exist….there is nothing more perfect in the world!
We are currently at the Sam crossroad. Both teachers, and trying I figure out the transition to me
Staying home
Full time. Family has been a blessing, filling ion those times
Both of us worked or had classes.