It is not uncommon for women to stay home for a while after having a baby. There are many who choose to stay home while their children are not of school age, while they are infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Some women choose to stay home and homeschool their children until they are middle school or high school age. It is also very common at the end of these seasons for the woman to “get a life”. They venture out from being a woman at home to go to work, school or both.
Even though we now only have three (of our ten) children at home and they are very independent (ages 12,16 and 18) and do not have need of my hands on participation or supervision, I choose to be at home schooling and engaging them everyday. Home is the place where my heart’s work is done. My dedication to being at home allows me to care for our family well. I am able to have a more intimate relationship my husband and our children. I am also able to manage our home efficiently and effectively.
Being at home is not for the faint at heart. I rise early, before my family each day to prepare myself mentally, spiritually and physically for the tasks ahead. I write a daily schedule that includes the priorities of the day. I list the important things to do for our family as well as for my business. This helps me be intentional with my time. It gives me clarity to complete the tasks that must get done because I know that my day can also include a spontaneous visit or phone call. When these things happen they don’t come as a surprise. It’s part of the dynamics of me being a wife, mama, MawMaw, homemaker, homeschooler and entrepreneur…a woman who works in her home.
Daily, I maintain our home as a comfortable place for not only the children who live at home, but for our entire family. There is always the anticipation of one of our adult children and their family stopping by during the day. These minor setbacks to our daily routine are welcomed because they offer our family of three generations the opportunity to engage one another regularly. It is not odd for one to stop by to join the boys and I for a time and then retreat to another room to relax or to work. Our children who are at home are able to interact with their older siblings and their families often. It blesses me that our children know our home to be the place where they are always welcome, somewhere they can come to have a conversation, grab a bit to eat or to simply be. They know that our door is always open to them and they stop by often. It is so evident to me that my work at home is of great importance.
In this season of my life, I have many options for how and where to spend my time each day. Being at home is not the easy choice, it’s truly where my heart is, where I walk in my purpose. At home is where I do my most significant work. It is so humbling to serve my family in our home each day. I am grateful for the opportunity to be still a woman at home.
Fruit of Her Hand 