In my church community, we have a lot of young families and with that, a mixture of moms who work outside the home as well as those who stay at home with their children. I am a working mom, but I have so much respect and compassion for my friends who spend their entire days with their young children. As I talk about my decision to work or stay home to my mom friends, I’ve found that we deeply care about the decisions that led us to choose one path or another. Whether you’re a working mom or stay-at-home mom, we as young moms need support from each other—and perhaps even more from the moms who have gone before us—as we navigate the lives the Lord has called us to.
For most of my life picturing my future as a mom, I saw myself staying at home with my young kids. That just seemed like the thing to do, and I personally benefited from being raised by a stay-at-home mom. To the surprise of my younger self, I am working full time in a job that I love while my three-year-old attends daycare full time. What led to this shift? Apart from the financial needs of my growing family, I feel a deep call to the work that I get to do as well as a call to being a mom.
The decision to be a working mom comes with a great deal of weight, and I know from talking to my friends who work and have children that we all weigh the costs and benefits. It is not easy to be a working mom. I still have hard mornings saying goodbye to my son at daycare drop-offs, and some days I spend my lunch break just looking at pictures of him on my phone. I also battle guilt in knowing that someone else is spending more time with my child during the day than I am, and I sometimes feel insecure wondering what others think of me for choosing to work while my son is so young. But ultimately, this is the path the Lord has for me in this season and what is best for our family.
Here’s what I’ve learned as a working mom: the time I have with my son at home is even more precious because of our time apart during the day. He has thrived in a daycare setting by getting to meet other kids his age and learn from caring adults, I feel calling and peace in devoting my working day to my job, I keep my working hours as strict as possible—giving my all to my work during my day but shutting off from work and other distractions the moment my son walks through the door at the end of the day, and most importantly, my husband and I are still the primary disciple makers for my child. That doesn’t change because we go to work during the day. I think my high school and early college self would be surprised that I’m a working mom, but I am grateful for the work I get to do, and I’m thankful for the mom I get to be.
I asked my friend Riley who is a stay-at-home mom to share her experience in motherhood as well, and I found what she wrote to be a beautiful glimpse into the heart of women whose work is inside their home:
When I found out I was going to be a mother, I imagined it would be the most natural transition of my life. I pictured slow mornings with coffee and pancakes, library trips, playground afternoons, and all the sweet, ordinary moments that make up childhood.
Three years later, those dreams became reality when we welcomed our daughter, and I was blessed to stay home with her. But motherhood looked far different than I had imagined. It was less about leisurely sipping coffee and more about reheating the same cup until late afternoon because I hadn’t sat down since before sunrise. Every day seemed to invite me to lay down my own desires to meet someone else’s needs.
As I fought to reclaim pieces of my old life, the Lord gently revealed something I hadn’t expected: I wasn’t simply struggling to surrender my role as a mother. I had never fully surrendered control of my life to Him.
Choosing to stay home with our children has also meant choosing a simpler life. If I’m honest, comparison often creeps in. I look at what other families have and begin wondering if God’s best for us should look different. But somewhere along the way, I had confused the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10 with an abundance of possessions.
The Lord has shown me that His best isn’t measured by comfort, convenience, or material things, but by His faithful presence and His perfect wisdom. The version of motherhood He is writing is far richer than the one I imagined for myself because it is drawing me closer to Him.
My hope and prayer is that, as a community of mothers—whether we work inside the home or outside of it—we would continually turn one another’s eyes toward Jesus. Whatever our hearts behold will shape the way we love, serve, and mother. When our gaze is fixed on Him, even the ordinary rhythms of motherhood become beautiful, not because they are easy, but because they are filled with His presence.
Ultimately, every woman, child, and family has a unique set of circumstances and calling from the Lord that leads them to choose to be a working mom or stay-at-home mom. I want to cheer on other moms the way I hope to be cheered on to be faithful where we are, whether at home or at work, and to stay committed to discipling our children. I encourage you to look at the young moms in your life with a desire to understand and encourage them in the season the Lord has them in—whether working or at home all day with their kids. Though the way that we spend our days looks different, we are unified in our calling to raise our children to know the truth of the gospel. Let’s come alongside each other and say those words every mom wants and needs to hear: “You’re doing great, Mama.”
Looking for more encouragement as a mom? Check out this post on encouragement for the tired mom.
About Savannah Ward
Savannah Ivey Ward is a marketing strategist for Lifeway Women. She’s originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, and now lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with her husband, toddler son, and silver lab named Rosie. She loves leading high school girls through Young Life and is passionate about helping women know the real, living Jesus.
About Riley Brown
Riley Brown is a stay-at-home mom. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, she now lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband and two children. She loves creating spaces for young moms to connect with one another to walk intentionally with Jesus through motherhood.
