I AM OFFICIALLY A SAHM EFFECTIVE TODAY :)
Yes, you read it right. Effective today, 27 June 2007, I am officially a stay-at-home Mom. I haven’t formally filed my resignation yet, but I am about to inform my Office in a few days about my somewhat drastic move to finally decide to resign from my work of almost 10 years.
Letting the Office know of my decision would definitely be the hardest part. For one, it came in at a somewhat wrong time when our Office is on the heels of preparations for an upcoming regional trade event in a month’s time, and together with a colleague, I was appointed to take charge of the media accreditation (which will involve not only the media in RP but likewise the press coming from ASEAN and its trade partner countries) and as co-Press Center Manager during the 10-day event in Manila.
Nevertheless, I still hope that no matter how sudden this move was for me, Boss and I would get to agree on a good compromise that will allow me to make a smooth transition knowing I would leave a very understaffed team. I was appointed with ad hoc tasks (aside from my “real” technical staff work eg editorial/business news writing and media relations work) such as being the Special Disbursing Officer, Planning Officer, Budget Officer, HR point person, and tiga-timpla ng kape (pwede rin).
It was quite a tough decision to give up a job that I truly found fulfillment while at the same time has been the source of a financial complement to that of my husband’s earnings. I’ve always knew these benefits for the longest time and was very much aware of the consequences that it will confront me later on.
However, with much pondering over the weeks that past, looking for signs, seeking friends’ opinions, weighing the pros and cons, discussing everything over and over with Hubby and praying constantly for guidance and wisdom, I finally arrived at a very tough decision. I’ll be a SAHM, no doubt about that. My little family desperately needs me more than anyone else, especially my son who is just as innocent but as clear in yearning for a mother’s love and attention.
I have to admit though that what triggered my decision was the latest situation that we had with my son’s Yaya. Actually, it was an obvious sign. She’s been hinting to quit last last week, and so we terminate her services too soon (it was only yesterday, 26 June, and she didn’t expect it at all) due to repeated neglect of her duties and some obvious acts dishonesty and disrespect.
Here’s a short story of what happened, as what I’ve wrote in the comment number 9 of the post previous to this:
on 25 Jun 2007 at 3:18 pm, my update via comment was: Yaya Ness took a day off from work yesterday, she’s not yet home as of today, Monday. nag-text ang mother nya about 10:30PM last night, nandun daw sa kanila si Ness, masakit daw ang tiyan, papatingnan daw nila sa doctor. i dont know if its true but thank God, it coincided that i’m really scheduled to be on vacation leave today coz it’s my Dad’s death anniversary and we have a small padasal at my parent’s house. kung hindi pa, ewan ko na lang.
i just saw our landline bill today with cellphone call charges, when i traced the owners of the cellphone numbers, mga friends pala ni Ness, ginamit nya ang phone to call two friends sa cellphone, the first call was on 13th June, 12MN, 7 minutes, the second call was 14th June, 10:30 AM, 1 minute.
I’d thought about the relationship we’ve already built with her and I somewhat felt sorry for her. But in one way or the other, I’d thought, “What the heck, she deserves it”.
It seems that everything just happened so fast and I can’t believe with my very own eyes that I’m here right now journaling about it. I am aware that what lies ahead will definitely be uncertain, especially for financial concerns. But then again, I am certain of two things. The support of a husband who’d always be by my side, to persevere more and raise our family, and an assurance that he’ll stand by his commitment to be a good provider just as he promised on the very day we marry. And of course, never to forget, the joy and the fulfillment that our Nico brings and will continue bring our family.
So, shall I welcome myself to full domestication? Cheers everyone. Wish me guts, and guts!
24 responses so far
Congrats, congrats… I am so happy for you. Hang in there. I’m sure you’ll...
I know this decision must have been a hard one Feng. But hey, there are lots of work options for stay-at-home moms, including blogging!
sure wish I had your guts! you will get by pretty well! Boz and I will include you in our prayers!
Go problogging, Feng! This was a hard decision to make but you will see that the benefits are better, not just for you but for your family as well.
Hi Feng!! That is precisely the reason why they call it the “supreme sacrifice”. Having the guts and the will to put your family, especially your Nico, first is something that you will truly be grateful for in the future. To acknowledge this need is a milestone in your life. Relish it and make the most of this big decision. Congratulations, MOM!! Welcome to the world of SAHMing!! Pareho na tayo!!! Yahoooo!!!
hi feng, good luck on your choice and have fun being an SAHM. i wish i could do the same…i’m sure your son will love it having you around all the time. cheers!
Go girl! Saludo ako sa naging decision mo!
Congratulations! Wow! Kakainggit sa totoo lang
I wish you the best in this transition.
gogogo! same na tayo, Feng, we can actually meet up na, during a weekday!
Hi Feng. I’m truly happy for you and your family. I know that this decision was carefully thought of and I’m glad that you have come up with a decision closest to your heart. I know that you’ll be a great SAHM. I’m sure that Nico will benefit the most from this decision. Good luck and hope that the transition at your work place will be stress-free. Take care!
thanks everyone, i really appreciate all your words of comfort and encouragement. reading from your comments here, I am more assured now that everything will be alright in this new phase in my life as a Mom–as a SAHM with some WAHMing in between.
thanks Christianne, it really was one of the bravest decision i’ve made for the longest time. and yes, there are definitely opportunities for SAHMs. if i cannot make it good in problogging, pwede rin naman siguro akong magtinda ng fishballs at samalamig sa harap ng bahay. hehe.
Roxie, thank your for the wish of more guts. and thank you for including me in your and Boz’ prayers. grabe, it’s nice having you Mommies around to get some source of comfort.
thanks T. Julie! and yes, paid blogging will definitely be considered but I’ll try not to house it here though. i’d wish to maintain this as basically my online journal. i better check with Noemi of a domain name for the paid one.
Kongkong, thanks so much. it’s “supreme sacrifice” and selflessness indeed. just today, when I informed my Mom of my decision, she was like: bakit? sayang naman ang work mo? i was speechless for a while, but then i said, this decision is for the best of my family.
Mhalou, thanks for the well wishes. Are you planning to be SAHM too? Well, I do believe there’s always a perfect time for everything. Malay mo, next year SAHM ka na.
Mitch, and I salute working Moms as well. Thanks for the encouragement. It meant so much to me, really.
Auee, thanks so much. I do hope for a quite smooth transition too, though my Mom was already giving me warnings of boredom, lesser self esteem etc. Well, I guess there would always be glitches in every decision that we make. I’m readying myself for those. I do hope I can get by.
Jencc, oo nga pareho na tayo. So far, I’m adjusting to my new routine, but sooner as I get by, I hope to meet up with you. Hehe, shopping tayo!
Rach, thanks so much. Agree with you, everything that we do are really for the benefit of our kids. I would like to believe Nico’s happier now that I’m 24/7 here for him.
seems to me youre very happy with your decision. what can i say… welcome to the club
big hug from me!!
I admire you for taking this giant step. I’m sure there will be great things in store for you being a SAHM. Looking forward to your SAHM adventures in this blog.
Welcome to the club, Feng! It’s going to be a bumpy ride with the adjustments and everything but it’ll be worth it, I promise.
just as i blogged on why i cant be a sahm, here you are taking that big step.. inggit tuloy ako. i hope i could have this luxury one day.. it will surely be a rollercoaster ride, adjustments here and there.. but im sure it’s a good decision.. take your time..
hi ladycess, thanks. yes i’m so happy being a SAHM now much as my son is happy too that i won’t have to leave him for the rest of the day. and i am a member of the SAHM Club now? oh that’s great. hugs back to you.
good luck. will check on the entry you mentioned.
thanks so much Linnor. and yes, i’m discovering new things everyday now that i am a SAHM. more of my adventures will be blogged in a few days.
greymom, thanks. admittedly, i’m scared of those bumpy rides, but having the support of my little family around, i’d like to believe i can hang on and adjust well.
hi analyse, thanks for the well wishes. on finally being a SAHM, it’s one of the bravest decisions i’ve made, really. naku, don’t be inggit, the perfect time will come for you to decide too just as what i have experienced.
Hi Feng! Welcome to the Club!
How have the first days been? Enjoy i’m sure!
Kaya mo yan. Seeing how dedicated you are to Nico, I know you will love it here in the Club
hi chats.
thanks for the words of encouragement. having you Moms to seek advice with, I would like to believe I can get by soon.
i’ll be blogging about my first few days in a bit.
hi feng… you’ll be great SAHM, i know.
i envy you, honestly…i really wanted to become one just like my mom who took care of us since birth… hofefully in due time i’ll also be able to join SAHM’s …
I am sure that was a hard decision to make. Somehow I feel sorry for your office too, losing an MVP and highly versatile player. From media relations to finance ba? Oh wow.
I read that when one looks back to one’s life — after all’s been said and done — she won’t ever wish she had spent more time at work.
I see that you got your priorities right.
Good luck Feng. And yes, Julie and the others are right — as long as you can connect online and blog, email, etc. … you can still rock.
Wow, inggit naman ako sa ‘yo. Coming from the same organization (although we’re regions and provinces apart), I understand why it’s been a really tough decision. But if this is the decision that will give you peace - knowing that you can be more hands-on now with Nico - then it’ll be the best decision for you and your family. Konting sacrifice lang, makakaya nyo yan. Praying for you, Feng!
Nga pala… ano balita kay Yaya Ness?
good to know you finally decided to be a SAHM. I know it’s a big adjustment but i’m pretty sure you’ll love every minute of it. goodluck dear!
Feng, congrats! You can always pick up a career later when Nico is older.
But then again, a career from home is so much possible.
I am so happy for you.
wow, ang tapang mo mare! wishing you the best, for you, nico and the family.
hello Mommies, sorry for replying to your comments this late. been busy attending to family matters…
hi kathycot, actually my decision to be SAHM finally was influenced by our co-Mommies. like you, I too envy them for having the luxury to be with their children 24/7. so there, now I am a SAHM myself.
i’m so honored po. 
yes, it was really a hard decision on my part. i will surely miss the corporate world because all through my working life, I’ve always loved and enjoyed my work. but then again, the calling of being a Mom to my three-year old justifies enough that I prioritize him and our little family. 
hello there annamanila, thanks for taking time to visit here.
May, thanks for those encouraging words and for the prayers. even though I’ll be resigning from the organization where we are both connected, I hope we could still stay in touch or meetup sometime.
and re: Yaya Ness, actually there are many happenings that transpired the next day that we terminated her. I hope I can still blog about it the moment I had ample time to sit down and recollect thoughts.
thanks so much Len. and yes adjustments keeps on coming and I am quite having some minor SAHM blues on the side. the only consolation was having Nico around to cheer me up.
oo nga, sana I can still plan for myself in the future when Nico’s older and have his own set of barkadas na. somehow, I feel insecure with pessimistic people commenting all around, pero with encouraging words from co-Moms who knew the real reason for my decision, I knew I can get by. 
naku, if they only knew the reasons behind, daig ko pa ang nanalo sa lotto. 
hello Connie! thanks for dropping by here.
hi Aloi, my former Officemates commented the same. ang tapang ko daw talaga. niloloko nga ako, baka daw nanalo na ako sa lotto kaya ako nag-resign.