From Full-Time Job to Full-Time Mom

by Candice Watters

Question: My husband and I are expecting our first baby in a few months and I’m planning to stop working full-time and go home and be a stay-at-home mom. I’m a little nervous about the change, though. I’ve enjoyed the pace and fulfillment of a demanding job and am worried I may feel lonely and bored at home. Do you have any advice for making the transition?

Answer: Congratulations! A new baby is a joyous reason to be making a career change. Even before we were married, Steve and I agreed that when we started our family, I would go home full-time. And when the time came, I was excited to do it. Still, the change was significant and not without challenges and adjustments.

When our son arrived, it seemed some days it was all I could do just to get him fed and me dressed. It’s a shock to go from being super productive to feeling like getting a shower is a major accomplishment. The hardest part for me was going from busy office to quiet home, from challenging tasks and stimulating conversation, to endless quiet except for crying (mostly the baby’s, though some mine!).

I would’t recommend all of my efforts to fill the gap. Often it was TV or rented movies (these were pre-Facebook and Twitter days). I filled my mind with too many talk shows, I’m sorry to say, and didn’t always watch the screen as unto the Lord. It was easy to get sucked into mental junk food, especially because I was so tired. Doing much of anything else felt too hard. I share this as a matter of encouragement, and even exhortation.

It’s worth resisting mindless entertainment because those first weeks and months with your first born are are unique, irreplaceable ones. Embrace the slow pace and the quiet hours as a gift from God–it is a rare and precious season that will flee away. Use it to pray over your son. That is the best way you can spend your hours feeding him. Use it also to meditate on Scripture, to memorize Scripture, and to pray Scripture for your baby, for your husband, for your growing family, as well as all the things that weigh on your heart. It is through this sort of intentional use of your time and and your attention, directing your affections to God and His Word, that this season–which will seem to many one of being dormant and unproductive–will bear a harvest of righteousness.

Ask God for wisdom. And guard your heart, it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). As you feed your precious son, feed your heart and mind on truth. I’m ever thankful for the time I did spend this way; I wish I’d done even more than I did.

Also, sleep when he sleeps (the vacuuming will wait!).
Hold him.
Rock him.
Sing praises over him to the Lord. These are the best lullabies.

Drink deeply of this season and may it be to God’s glory, and to your joy!

God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us (2 Peter 2:3-4). We gain knowledge through His Word. Make it your aim to know it, to study it, and to obey it. It is your source for becoming a wonderful and wise Mama, by God’s grace and His mighty hand.

I pray He will do it. []

The CBMW National Conference is April 8, 2014 in Louisville, KY.  Speakers include John Piper, David Platt, Albert Mohler, and more!

Registration is just $30. Find more information here.