Last night, I was browsing through my Facebook feed when I saw a shared post by a client/friend (photo below), with a sad face and a broken hearted emoji.
As a working Mom, I think we all go through this phase. Because when my daughter Gaby was three years old (she is 14 now, time really flies!), her frequently asked question to my Mother was, "Nay, bakit si Mommy puro na lang work, work, work?"
Incidentally, my friend's daughter is also three years old now.
I messaged my friend with comforting words that everything will soon be okay. She mentioned that her daughter is currently sick, and so she filed for an emergency leave.
Back in 2017, my youngest daughter was hospitalized. And because of what her Pediatrician told hubby and I were unexpected, I thought of writing the post below, as it may resonate to other working moms.
My ultimate goal has always been to become a full-time mom, and part-time everything else. I want to witness my daughters as they grow everyday, while I also grow old with them. I want them to be really close me, that I will be the first person they would go to for whatever reason. I want them to be my best friends, and hope that they do, too!
That was my BIG EMOTIONAL WHY.
And so I continuously learn about money through mentors, books and seminars (even until today), I worked as hard as I could, I grabbed every opportunity for side hustles so I can earn more, and I invested as much as I could.
By God's grace, in May of 2018, I was able to quit employment and became a full time mom!
As they say, when your why is strong, the how will be easy.
If you are a working mom who dreams of being a full time mom, may this post inspire you and encourage you to believe that nothing is impossible. I pray for abundance into your life, that your cup overflows, so that you can create the life that you want, and be able to share so much blessings to other people.
Be very blessed!
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It was almost midnight on a Sunday when my husband and I rushed our five-year old daughter Elise to the hospital due to asthma. At 12:20 am, she was admitted. That was the first time that she was hospitalized.
I slept beside her that night while her dad, who is a doctor, stayed close to us, monitoring our daughter every now and then.
Come Sunday morning, our eldest daughter Gaby, who was nine, came in with my brother, and stayed with us until evening. Because Anna was feeling better that day, she and her Ate enjoyed playing while on the bed, tracing their hands and coloring. We were able to watch three movies on Fox over lunch, snacks and dinner. Overall, it was a fun day spent as a family, aside from the fact that we were spending it in the hospital.
Monday, I took a leave from work to take care of Elise. So did my husband. Thankfully, all of her lab tests were normal. We spent another day just drawing, eating, cuddling and sleeping. She was A-Okay. We knew we can go home the next day.
Then came Tuesday. From the time she woke up, she looked exactly the same when we arrived that Sunday night. She was very moody, crying and complaining with every move. She appeared to be very sick again.
When her Pediatrician did her rounds that day, I asked if we could go home. And this is what she said, "Napansin ko sa mga pasyente ko, kapag alam nila na uuwi na, biglang nagiging matamlay. Ayaw nilang umuwi. Kasi ngaun lang nila nakakasama both parents ng matagal." (This is what I noticed with my patients. When they knew that they will be going home, they become downhearted. They don't want to go home, because only during these times that they get to spend long hours with both parents.)
And as a mom, those words struck a cord in my heart. Very painfully.
We went home that day, and I extended my leave from work for another day to spend more time with my daughters.
What The Pedia Said Left Me With These Thoughts In My Head...
1. If I began investing from the time I began working, maybe I would have had enough money now to support our family even if I stop working so I can just take care of my kids.
2. But because I did not do what I stated above and with the situation that I am in right now, being a working mom to two very young kids, how much money do I really need to save or invest before I can actually quit my job and live comfortably (modest) as we do now?
I believe at some point, many working moms have faced this dilemma.
If you are single, I encourage you to invest as much as you can, and as early as you can, so you can have more options later in life.
And if you are in the same situation as I am, I suggest that you lay down or list down everything that you own, and everything that you owe. Check your financials for you to see exactly where you are right now. Are you still living paycheck after paycheck? Or are you a few paychecks away from your goal of living on just the interest of your investment?
This Rock Bottom Moment
I don't want my kids to wish to be hospitalized just so my husband and I could spend long hours with them.
I want to see myself being a full-time mom, and part-time everything else. That is my ultimate dream.
And investing is my bridge to that dream. As Mr. Rex Mendoza said, President and CEO of Rampver Financials, "Do not invest for the money. Invest for the purpose."
One Last Note
If you said "relate much" after reading this post, please drop me an email at financialplanningforpinoys@gmail.com. I would love to hear your story. Thanks!
Cheers to being full-time mommies!!!
P.S.
If you want to finally begin your investing journey, send me an email at financialplanningforpinoys@gmail.com and I will share with you how I began mine.
P.S2
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