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Kindred Spirits Speak Out
by Cheryl Gochnauer, Homebodies.org

You are not alone.

There are lots of kindred hearts out there.  I meet them in the aisles at the grocery and local discount store; I listen to their phone messages; I read their e-mails and letters.  They're moms just like you, who are already home or who are planning toward that goal.

I went to my files recently and pulled some of their thoughts.  Each paragraph represents a different voice.  Let's listen to what they're saying, and see if anything sounds familiar.

"I wholeheartedly support anyone who wants to stay home and be there for their kids through those important years of growing up.  At-home moms are still an 'endangered species', but we are growing in numbers everyday."

"It is quite tempting to earn money and advance up the career ladder, but children must come first.  All the money in the world cannot replace loving time spent with our children."

"In working with (junior and senior high school) youth the last couple of years, I've noticed a huge difference in attitude and development (between) kids with stay-at-home moms and kids whose parents both work.  After watching them interact for an hour or so, I can usually guess which is which."

"Your statement, 'The secret to pruning your budget is mastering the ability to separate wants from needs," is so true!  It is the secret whether your budget is small or large."

"I love staying home with my two children.  Not only do I value the time we have together, but being out of the hectic workplace has allowed me to slow down enough to discover other gifts I didn't realize I had."

"...I really need and want to be home with my child.  Although I have a superb baby-sitter who is like my angel from heaven (she really loves my son!), and I have many days off during the year that most working moms don't have, I ache to be at home.  I have my entire life to teach, and once my kids are in school full time, a teaching career blends wonderfully with their schedule."

"My husband is completely supportive of my decision (to stay home), and I love him dearly for it.  We'll probably sell our new car...I know my wardrobe will become very familiar over the next several years, and I now wear Avon instead of Lancome.  It's nice to read your column because I know that I am not the only woman giving up the 'things' of life to choose what's really important."

"I thought it would be hard to give up things that my friends who are two-income families have, but it's surprising how much I really don't care about all of that."

What a wonderful fraternity to be a part of - a multi-faceted but family-focused group of women (and an increasing number of men) following their hearts home.

Visit Cheryl and her fifteen Homebodies columnists at www.homebodies.org. You'll find a wide variety of articles helpful to the at-home parent, including tips on finances, emotions, recipes, and getting through the day.

copyright 2003 Cheryl Gochnauer - All rights reserved.

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