We’re all heard about the challenges of the mother who enters the workplace. But what is it like to have your own personal v’nahafoch hu, to suddenly leave the workplace and become a stay-at-home mother? Four women share their personal stories — and their first-hand advice.
The working mother’s routine is a race: Dash out in the morning rush back home in the afternoon arrange pick-up and drop-off run errands on the way to or from the office. Wipe that runny nose. Defrost the meat for supper. Sign homework schedule play dates and visit the doctor with this toddler or that teen. The next day master the art of multitasking all over again.
But what happens when the script changes? When you lose your job and are suddenly a full-time mommy? Or you actively choose to stop working to take care of a growing family? Challenging though it may be to run a home and hold down a job at the same time reverting to stay-home motherhood after years in the workforce can be equally challenging. Will it be stifling to stay in the house day after day? How will your family manage without your salary? Where will you get intellectual stimulation or find your social outlet?
To answer these questions Family First spoke to four women who left the workplace to become full-time stay-at-home moms.
A New Reality
Aliza Farber* had a demanding medical job that she imagined would turn into a long-term career. Her salary supported the family during shanah rishonah when her husband was learning and also when Mr. Farber attended college and law school. But as the family started growing things changed.
Create a free account to keep reading.
