Quit Your Business to Stay Home with Your Children?

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I recently watched a TV show about a business owner whose business was doing well before having children. However, over the next four years after having children, she found it difficult to keep her business afloat. She was torn between managing her home and being a mother and showing up for work where she'd earn an income. She appeared exhausted and acknowledged feeling drained.

It seemed as if she had lost her passion for her business, despite her claims otherwise. Unfortunately, the business was now struggling so much that she was on the verge of losing her home since she and her spouse had borrowed against it. 

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It seemed to me that the mentor of the show was not a mother herself. Those who haven't experienced raising preschoolers have a lot of good theories, but unless they've been in the trenches, have little idea of how demanding the role is. 

For this mom to continue working full-time she'd have to find childcare for the children. Although many mothers do so, for others paying for childcare is not feasible financially if they merely break even. Even once a child is in school, there is still a need for childcare before and after school hours. (The school my children attended in British Columbia, Canada went only until 2:30 pm!)

Ultimately, a mother's heart is with her children, and both their needs must be considered. It takes a prayerful family to make the right decision.

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Every mother wants to be successful in both her career and family life, but sometimes it's not possible to do both. Something is always sacrificed. 

The mentor hinted at the possibility of the woman selling the business since she was losing $2,000 monthly! That's the opton I would have chosen. But it's a decision only she can make. 

Art by Rosalie Garde

My choice as a mother was that it was important to cherish the time with my kids when they were young and growing. It's a one-time only opportunity. 

I wanted to share this story because I'm sure many women find themselves in a similar place of weighing the option of enjoying outside work with its camaraderie, mental stimulation, and income versus caring for their children fulltime. But this woman wasn't putting in enough hours to even take home a paycheck, so what was the point?

I chose to stay home mom leaving my job of fourteen years behind. It was time. 

If you find yourself at such a crossroads, I want to encourage you to seek God and make the decision your heart wants to make without pressure from an outsider, a mentor, a friend, or a relative. Make the decision you feel compelled by God to make. Then trust it will work out.