B.S., MPH, CNA, Mrs., and M.O.M.

I think I can actually say that I represent the new and improved stay at home mom. I am part of the growing group of young mothers with a good education, mountains of debt, and an intense love for being a wife, mother and homemaker. Even with the occasional fussiness there is nothing that can beat the giggles of a ticklish snugglebug who can be chewing on your pocketbook stap one minute and jumping joyfully the next.

I did not got to college to get my Mrs. Degree as has been historically the case for many women. Instead I threw myself into a rigorous course of education with the intention of becoming a medical doctor. I studied, worked, lived in the science building and dated a terrific guy along the way, but I made it and got my BS in Biological Sciences. A few months later I was married to that terrific guy and we were headed northward to continue to educate ourselves further in preparation for careers.

Again I studied, worked, lived on the train and was married to a terrific guy along the way and achieved my Masters in Public Health concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. God gave me a vision for what my dream job would be: working as a part time certified nurse midwife with maybe one or two births scheduled a month, volunteering at the local crisis pregnancy center and mothering and teaching my own children.

Then before I could get started using either of my degrees in a career type setting, the Lord blessed me and my terrific huband with a new surprise about four months after I graduated, and we decided to move back southward where the living was at least cheaper. Fruitlessly, I searched for employment during my entire pregnancy and we decided to let me go ahead and take a CNA class at eight months so that I could at least pursue the only type of work that seemed to be hiring in the newspaper.

Then came my much awaited M.O.M. degree matriculation in February. I had studied, practiced relaxation techniques, lived in the bathroom (bladder not nausea) and thanked God for my wonderfully supportive terrific huband and on the 16th we were blessed with a little DVD.

Six months later, we are in a new/old home. My terrific huband is working hard as a temp desiring to serve God and support his family. I am homemaking, looking for employment, practicing patience, and taking care of my bouncing baby bug. And David, well, he’s just growing and learning and sticking everything in his mouth that he can. I feel truly blessed to be where I am and to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. I still have debt obligations and wish to be in my own home, but I am not going to denigrate the rich blessing of watching my baby grow up and be awed with his world. I may be tired, but I will never tire of being a M.O.M. And, ironically, it was one of my cheaper degrees, but in no way is cheap.

Author: KB French

Formerly many things, including theology student, mime, jr. high Latin teacher, and Army logistics officer. Currently in the National Guard, and employed as a civilian... somewhere View all posts by KB French