Encouragement for Working Moms
by Rachel Paxton

In today's world, it is impossible to escape the fact that many moms have to work. Some moms choose to have a career outside the home, but many are forced into the workplace because of family financial hardships and are left with no other choice. So what if you are one of these working moms and you long to be at home with your kids? This is a common dilemma that working moms, both Christian and non-Christian face. There is no easy answer. Do you feel you are failing your kids as a mother? You are only failing your kids if you do not provide loving, nurturing care for them when you are away at work. Before my daughter was old enough for school, she went to a daycare in someone's home. At the time I was a single mom and not a Christian. As it turns out these daycare providers were a retired Christian couple who lovingly took kids into their home and played games with them, did crafts with them, and read them Bible stories. At the time I did not appreciate the care my daughter was receiving, but now I see that the structure and daily routines she received in that home were better than what she would have received at home with me! I wished that I been able to provide her with that same care, but at the time it was just not possible. God knew what she needed and provided those loving people to care for her while I was at work. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse applies to all of us as Christians, including working moms! God indeed has a plan for your life, as well as your children's lives. If you have to work outside the home your time at home with your children should be all the more special.

Make sure you take time to eat dinner together and talk about each other's days. Kids like to feel part of a "team", and if they feel your family is a team working together towards a common goal, your family will be just as close as one who has more time to spend together. Have a family night at least once a week where there is no television and no outside distractions. Talk about what's going on in each other's lives and do something fun together that the whole family will enjoy.

When your children are older, they will remember all the fun times you spent together as a family. If your children are well cared for while you are at work, then you are truly doing the best you can to provide for them and you have to trust you are living God's will for you life.

Try keeping a prayer journal to record God's answers to prayer. As a working mom, you have many things on your mind, like your day at work, your husband's work, your children's daycare, school, activities, etc. There are many things on your mind that can begin to wear you down. Start committing some of these daily worries to prayer, and see how God responds to them...even the smallest requests. You will see God, indeed, is listening, and cares about your day-to-day concerns.

If there are obstacles preventing you from staying at home but these obstacles are something you can do something about, then take steps to make staying at home a possibility, where it's living a more frugal life, paying off debt, or starting a home business. There are many ways being a stay-at-home mom can become a reality.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of five. For more inspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit http://www.christian-parent.com