We have news

We lost a good politician today, sacrificed on the altar of public opinion. I’m gutted, and I real feel for her.

I’ve never come close to losing my job, so I can’t empathise with how that must feel, but I have certainly faced some backlash for being so honest on my blog, particularly when it comes to my parenting style. Sleep training, formula feeding, returning to work, all huge no-no’s in this glorious age of attachment parenting.

We’ve recently made another huge decision with regard to our kids. It’s a big call, and it has definitely copped some criticism. The Accountant has dramatically decreased his hours of work at his current firm. He will be working from home and being a stay at home Dad.

This is not a decision we came to lightly, but we had to be honest with ourselves and admit that day-care just wasn’t working for our family. Conrad wasn’t coping with the long days and was constantly sick and over tired.  We couldn’t stand to see him so miserable. People said we needed to give him more time and he would get used to it, but we didn’t want him to. We didn’t want this to be our new normal.

Part of the reason I went back to work so early was because I got offered a promotion at work into a role that I absolutely love. I had decided I would turn it down and reduce my hours so that we didn’t need day-care anymore.

The Accountant wouldn’t let me.

He saw how much happier I was, and he didn’t want to see me give that up.

He also was aware of how little time he was spending with our boys.  

I know this is the case for many Dad’s. Between working full time and all the chores that need to get done over the weekends there’s hardly any room left for quality time with the kids. For most families this is just the reality and there’s not much they can do.

But we could do something.

So we did.

People have been a little shocked and we’ve had a lot of questions about how it’s going to work. I’ll attempt to address most of them now.

Will you have enough money? What are the chances you will end up on the street?

We should have enough money, just. It will be tight so please don’t be offended if we say no to going out to dinner or don’t buy you a Christmas present. We will have very limited funds for stuff like that (although show me a family with young kids who doesn’t). I am 90% confident we will be ok and not end up on the street.

Will Jeff cope? Isn’t it better that you stay at home?

Jeff will do more than cope, he will totally smash it. He is equally as good if not better at parenting than I am. The boys adore him. He will be fine and he will love it. I was willing to stay home but honestly I love my job and I’m a better mum when I’m a working mum. For our family switching it up from the traditional roles makes perfect sense.

Are you concerned about your child’s socialisation/weak immune system from never being exposed to bugs?

No. For one thing they have a mother who constantly brings home delicious hospital bugs. For another they will still see other children, we are not immigrating to the Sahara. The Accountant is totally planning to boogie on down at a Mainly Music session near you.  

Do you feel bad that The Accountant is having to give up his career?

My favourite question. The answer is no. Here’s why...

1)     He is not having to do anything, he is choosing to do this.

2)     He isn’t giving up his career, he’s just downsizing it. He will still be working, just from home and not as much.

The main thing that bugs me when I get asked this question is I think it really shows how modern society’s values and priorities are so far out of whack. I work in older people’s health and I have never heard a single person say that they regret not spending more time focusing on their careers. Something they often say they regret? Missing out on time with their kids.

Also, My Accountant is not your typical Accountant. His faith is so important to him. He’s not perfect by any means, but when it to comes to us, his family, I don’t think you could find a better Christian role model.

His priority list goes like this…

1)     Husband

2)     Father

3)     Accountant

For him putting his career progression on hold for a while wasn’t a big deal, because his main job, the job that God has specifically asked him to do, is to support his wife and care for his kids.

So that’s what he’s going to do, and I know God will honour him for it.

So, yep. That’s our news. It’s an exciting and slightly scary time for our family. But as the saying goes life is either a daring adventure or nothing, and there’s no one I’d rather be sharing this adventure with than my three gorgeous boys.

In the meantime, if you know anyone looking for an Accountant, feel free to point them in the direction of your old friend The Accountant’s Wife 😉 xx