We are one week into our “social distancing” quarantine, and we are beginning to figure out what ordered chaos actually feels like.
With our regular routines completely wrecked, our family is having to relearn how to do life well. Transitioning and adjusting is starting to become second-nature.
I wasn’t always a stay-at-home Mom. And, admittedly, transitioning from the high speed tempo of a corner office to changing diapers and driving to the umpteenth soccer practice was the hardest adjustment I have ever made.
My husband and I made the decision that I would be a stay-at-home parent nearly 10 years ago, after the birth of our second child. After delivering our firstborn, I had taken my six weeks off and then returned to work. She went to the base CDC and I flung myself back into the thick of it. I loved earning a paycheck, and we were so young. I actually believed that I would “mess it up” and that she was better off in the care of others all day.
However, after our son was born, going back to work was harder. I was completely exhausted, pumping in the conference room, and began to develop postpartum depression. Working was literally killing me. After weighing out all of the facts, we decided that it was time to leave my career and become a stay-at-home mom.
At first, the whirlwind of change was a little too much. I actually hated staying home. I missed my job (and the money), I had no adult interaction, and I felt isolated in my struggle. It took a few years to find my groove, let go of unrealistic expectation, and enjoy stay-at-home “mom-dom” as a blessing.
Being a stay-at-home mom allows me to craft the life I have always wanted.
Because of the flexibility this lifestyle affords, I am able to play an active part in my children’s education. Our family thrives as homeschoolers, learning together and in long-lasting ways. I can be present, enjoying many moments with my younger kids and celebrating the gradual changes happening for my older two. Also, I can walk with purpose- in that I can also work from home.
There are three things that I am the most grateful for in being a SAHM.
Homeschooling.
I haven’t always homeschooled, but for nearly three years total, we have changed the way our family approaches education. We are classical educators, meaning we take a more traditional approach to teaching- using language focused curriculum and centering the way we teach around how our children are learning at different ages and stages. With my youngest, I am on the floor, playing and reading. With my grade school children, we read aloud and focus heavily on memory work. With my oldest, we are reading “The Bronze Bow” and discussing philosophy. I am pretty sure that we are homeschool “lifers.”
Shaping the way my kids see the world
As a military missionary, I believe that the greatest calling on a Christian’s life is to glorify God. We should respond with our lives to The Great Commission, a command that mandates our ability to share the gospel and bring people into the light of The Lord. As a child that grew up outside of the family of God, I had a very broken worldview. I stay at home so that I can shape the way my kids see the world around them- teaching them to love and care for people. I also want to shepherd their beliefs. If I don’t tell them what is true, the world certainly will share its version of it.
Walk in purpose
As a stay-at-home mom, I have the freedom to pursue my purpose. I can juggle the daily routine, along with all of the other responsibilities that come with home life. But I have the bandwidth to chase down the things that God has called me to do- teach and write. I speak all over the country, teaching and preaching. In addition, I have been able to author Bible studies, be a freelance writer, and share encouragement through MilSpo Co.- an online community of military spouses sharing their stories and experiences- as the managing editor. My first Bible study, “Esther: Come Out of Hiding,” published by Moody Publishers in Chicago, will release in April of 2021.
Being a stay-at-home mom isn’t always perfect and, more often than not, it is a completely crazy mess. But once the chaos is ordered, it paints a beautiful picture. I have faith and confidence that my kiddos will look back upon this time and see the wonder of it all.
Megan Brown is a seasoned military spouse and military missionary. She is the Military Liaison for the Speak Up Conference Global Missions Military Scholarship and the 2019-Armed Forces Insurance Robins AFB Military Spouse of the Year. She is passionate about military mission work and teaching and preaching about Jesus in and out of the local church. Her Bible study, “Esther: Come Out of Hiding,” published by Moody Publishers in Chicago, will release in April 2021. She lives in middle Georgia with her husband, Keith, and their energetic kiddos. She is a Bible teacher, speaker, and freelance writer. To learn more or connect with Megan, visit www.meganbbrown.com.