I've often thought that it would be nice if I would go back to work, even for just one year, so we could get out of debt. I hate debt hanging over my head and would love to have some extra money in our pockets. But with my education background in family studies I know that often times the mother working outside of the home has consequences that aren't worth the extra money. Plus, I know that the "just one year" would stretch on longer than that. Families often find that they can't go back to living on just one income or the mother finds being out of the home liberating and doesn't desire to give up her job. Anyways, with our budget being tight at times I've thought lately about how nice it would be even to have an extra $1000 a month...you know, I could find something part time...
This morning I was reading in The Miracle of Forgiveness and came across this powerful passage.
"A word of warning is in order about wives going out to work....Of course it is recognized that some widows and occasionally wives with families at home must work to support their families. But this ought not to be done where avoidable. Mothers of unmarried children should come home and, where necessary, let standards of living and luxury reduce to a point where the salary of the husband will suffice. The numerous luxuries are far too costly when a marriage and children's welfare are on the scales."
-The Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 69, emphasis added.
Is my situation avoidable...yes, yes it is. We do get by on Jeff's salary, the only point in my working would be to get out of debt faster and to have extra money to do "stuff". I do understand that some of you ladies have to work to support your families and you are amazing to do it! But in my situation it would be for vanity and comfort only, so it seems that I should stay home. We'll get out of debt eventually...but my boys won't be babies forever.
6 comments:
Thank you, so much for this post! Ryan and I have been trying to figure out a way for him to work part time while finishing his Thesis so we can get out from under all this debt from his Masters...even rationalizing that his entire paycheck would go towards it...
I'm on contract until 9 months from now, and cannot tell you, HOW MUCH I am looking forward to returning home to be with my babies. I SOOOO envy stay at home moms.
At times, when I will take a few weeks, off, I will guiltily think to myself "if he hits his brother one more time, I'm going back to the office"...but really, I am missing out on so much!
Keep up the wonderful work you are doing...it's hard, but we'll get through, right? We can live on love for a little while, right? :)
Again, thanks for the inspiring quote.
I don't necessarily need to be working, but the extra cushion has been great and it's nice to be digging out of our debt hole. I know if I were working full time every day I couldn't handle it. I'd miss my boys too much and I fear I'd have a nervous break down. I think it's really a blessing to be able to work nights and spend my days with my boys.
Thanks for your post, it's always nice to take a step back and put things into perspective.
Thank you for sharing this! Its a good reminder. :) I hope things work out wonderfully for you for heeding this counsel!
I appreciate this post. I have been thinking about working on the side, but keep getting "the stupor of thought" but kept fighting it. I should really listen.
What a great quote! Thank you! I too have been thinking about going to work more than I do now (6hours a week) so that we could pay off our debt, but I know it wouldn't go just to debt and I'm needed more at home right now. I've also put school off for that reason. Right now I need to be home with my kids.
Thanks again! Hope things are going well with you and yours.
Wise counsel indeed! Ingenuity and creativity can stand in for money a lot of the time and you really get more than you thought staying at home!
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