Working Outside the Home - Purposes
I know what some of you are thinking.. "How many more times can she remind women not to work outside of the home?" But oddly, that's not what I'm about to talk about. I'm going to talk about times when it's helpful to work outside of the home, and the purpose behind it.
Working During a Financial Crisis - In this economy it is very common for husbands to lose jobs. Things get tight and because we live in a two car / two income world, sometimes it's harder to make things meet. I believe that as long as someone is home to care for children, and the husband is earnestly seeking employment, it is perfectly fine for a wife to work outside of the home. Temporarily.
Working During Financial Debt - It's also harder because we live in a time when the recent generations have been taught the concept of "buy now, pay later," and are now suffering the consequences of their actions. I highly believe that before making the decision to work outside of the home because of debt, you should ask yourself the questions listed in this post, and then decide accordinly.
Working to Build Savings - This is an honorable thought. Take on a job to help secure your familys future. But what happens to your familys present? Is the savings going toward future emergencies, doctors bills, a new home, a future family, or perhaps a vacation, a brand new car, or a bigger and fancier life? Where are your prioritites? Is it at all possible to learn to budget, be frugal and live a simpler life and take the money saved and add to savings instead?
Working for Yourself - You are a career driven person and you don't see a problem with how the daycare is raising your child. Because of long hours at the office you are able to provide adequate take-out for your family nightly, and instead of bonding with your home, you are able to hire a maid. You may miss a dance recital or two, but don't you deserve your fulfillment too?! This is the wrong way of thinking. It is selfish. Family should always come first, especially if you have children.
So in the end it all comes down to this question, "What is best for all concerned?" Not what is best for you, your husband, the economy, the children. What is best for all concerned? If you choose to work outside of the home for any of the above reasons, will anyone suffer for it? Will you spend more money on daycare than you'll make in the long run? Will your children be forced to eat McDonalds nightly because you're too tired to cook? Will your relationship with your husband suffer because you lose that time together?
It is a decision to make together.
So why am I talking so much about this the past few weeks? Because I am officially working outside of the home. My reasons I feel are honorable ones. My husbands paycheck is adequate for our daily needs. However, because of past mistakes, we have incured a bit of debt. I will not be working to pay off the debt so we can go on another cruise (though that would be nice) or so we can buy a brand new car or big house.
My paycheck will be applied to our debt and savings only. We are doing this so that when all is said and done, we are not relying on my paycheck to survive. Once out of debt and with a stable savings balance, we will use this to help start our family. We've known for some time now that fertility treatments or adoption are roads that we are looking toward, and we want to prepare now so we can enjoy later.
Thankfully I searched diligently for a job to meet my requirements. One that would have a flexible schedule, allow me part time should I choose. Something that was nearby so I could walk to work (and get healthy in the process). Something that is low stress and a bright environment. I am grateful to have found something that fits my specifications.
A part of me, the old competitive show off me, believes that I could rise fast in my new company. But the new me, the permanent me, understands and accepts that this is a temporary situation to benefit my eternal family in the long run. It was a decision made by both my husband and I, and I took his counsel very seriously. This is what will work for us, right now.
Daily Gratitudes:
- A husband who gives me wise counsel and appreciates any effort I do.
- A new job that offers me a flexible schedule so that I will still be able to care for my home and family.
- Acupuncture - My back pain is still gone, as is my knee pain and my edema is getting much better!
- Top Ramen. It's so bad for me, but tastes sooo good.
- Ice packs that came with my roses the other week. I've been reusing them to help with the swelling in my legs and it's been soo much better!!
- My husband came home the other day with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers. He noticed that my roses were dying, and that I had thrown them out, so he went and bought flowers just because he knows ow I love having fresh and beautiful things in the home.
- One of my favourite drinks is Mormon Punch (sherbert with sprite), and I finished off my soda the other day but still have like a huge gallon of sherbert, so after I got home last night from orientation at work, my sweet husband pointed out that he bought me a new bottle of sprite.
- My back was cramping a bit last night so I didn't get to bed til around 2am. Hubby woke up when I came to bed and instead of being angry that I woke him up, he rolled over and rubbed my back until I fell asleep, and then got up two hours later to go to work. What a man!
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
