Being a Housewife and Trying Something Different

One day, I was attending to a client at work, and it was busy that afternoon. Suddenly, I received a call from my daughter at home saying that her little sister had not arrived from school. I was just confused after that, and I said: “I will resolve it, no worries.” I was cashing a check, and I didn’t have time to be distracted on the phone, so I ended the call. I called my boss and said that I needed to close the store because of an emergency. It was awful and distressing at that moment. My daughter  was supposed to take the bus but instead, she decided to stay at school for an after school program.  The person that I paid to pick up my daughter canceled for being sick, and my daughter forgot it. This was just one of the crucial situations that came up while I was trying to work outside the home.

I have been a homemaker since I married. I remembered that I taught reading and writing to adults in my community, in my country. Those days I had the opportunity to bring my daughters with me. Now, my position was different in this country. I worked for almost six months, three years ago. I decided to leave my kids at home while I was working in the afternoons. I have four kids: two daughters and two little boys. For me, this change was hard because I couldn’t even go to church on Sundays. It was hard for me because my older daughter needed to pick up his little brother from my neighbor’s house after leaving the school. Later, my other two kids got home and waited for my husband after work. Since we came to this country, he has worked hard to provide everything we need.

In the beginning, I agreed to work without Saturdays and Sundays, but later I was convinced to work because of an employment shortage. On Sundays, I got my kids ready before work, cooked lunch and did some of the responsibilities that concerned me.  I felt sad wondering about my family without me at the church because it was special for us every Sunday. Otherwise, I felt blessed by God to see my husband going to the Sunday service with our kids. It was time to take a big decision thinking about priorities in my life.

I decided to stop working because I didn’t feel well leaving my kids alone without supervision. I don’t have any relatives near to take care of them, and I didn’t qualify for daycare. In truth, I love my kids and I enjoy spending time with them: teaching, forming, playing, etc.  No matter what my dreams are, this is who I am. This is my dream!: to be a mom helping their kids grow up until they are becoming adults themselves. This year, if God permits, my older daughter will go to university. I feel so proud of her for that, but especially for being a brave daughter.

I understand that being a housewife has been essential for me and my family. My job is important even if I don’t get a paycheck. Moms take care of their kids and family members, provide home education, and teach their children traditions, beliefs and values. I learned a big lesson by making mistakes, but I will never forget what I learned. Now, my children are grown up and everyone is in school full-time, so I am thinking about getting a part time job in the mornings. Lastly, nothing that interferes with my activities being a mom or keeps me from my spiritual life.