The "S" Word

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16

I have two "S" words to talk about that many don't like to talk about: "Stay-at-Home" Mom and an even bigger one, "Sacrifice".  I have recently been so encouraged that I am doing the right thing by staying at home with my two daughters.  Within the last couple of months two ladies told me they are quitting their full-time professional careers to stay-at-home with their kids...because "it's just not worth working".  I know this is such a touchy subject for some, and I totally understand.  I do not mean to get up on my soap-box and shake my finger at working moms, but God has impressed upon me to encourage any mom who wants to be encourage that staying at home with your kids (of any age) totally out-weighs any benefit of working outside the home.
I was just researching online for articles of the pros and cons of staying at home and raising your kids yourself.  I have found way more pros than cons.  Here are just a few.  I have attached links to a few articles as well.
Benefits:
Healthier Children
Stronger bond between child(ren) and parent
Child(ren) have a greater sense of security, which leads to greater trust
More time to have fun with your kids, make lasting and meaningful memories
Children develop (intellectually, etc.) faster
Assurance of the high quality of care and the attention your child is getting
You are teaching them YOUR morals and values
Better behaved children
Less stress for parents
Calmer schedule for the whole family
Better nutrition for the whole family
this list goes on and on....

Some may say that they just can't not work...due to financial reasons or in fear that they will lose their identity or they fear they will be lonely at home.  I can 100% assure you that God will take care of you in all these areas....He has for me and so many other women.  I totally understand that single-moms can't stay-at-home or women with husbands that can't physically work.  But if you have a spouse who works and receives (or can receive) health insurance....you CAN stay at home and raise your children.  Sacrifices may have to be made, but the benefits totally out-weigh any short-term sacrifices.  Your children are only at home till they are age 5 or 6.  That is such a short window of time for you to set a firm and healthy foundation for them.  And such a short time span for you to make any financial sacrifices. You will have the rest of your life to work.

Cost of daycare:
On average, U.S. parents pay more than $679 a month, or a whopping $8,150 a year, to send their babies and toddlers to full-time daycare, according to a report from the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). Depending on where you live and the child care center you choose, you could end up shelling out up to $14,000 a year. Ouch!

Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1209/Staying-Home-Vs.-Daycare-A-Financial-Conundrum.aspx#ixzz1sWI79HXf

Many women I talk to who work full-time say they are so rushed at night that they have no time to make dinner after work, so they fork over lots of $$$ each month just for going out to eat....money that could be saved if they ate at home.  To save $$$ if you stay-at-home....set a budget, meal plan, use coupons and/or ad match.  Just ask me about any of these and I will give you lots of info/suggestions.

For many ladies with a few sacrifices and a few changes in lifestyle they find that being a stay-at-home mom is more financially beneficial than anything.  "If it's God's will, it's God's bill"....meaning God will always supply your needs!

Pray about your situation and listen to what God wants for you and your family.  And take heart,  God has a great plan for you and your family.

Info from a great article : "New parents are overwhelmed with the onslaught of child relating expenses including baby gear, clothing, diapers, and medical bills. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raising a child from birth to age 2 costs $13,400 a year. So how can families cut back and survive on less income and endure these added costs?
The common myth is that if both parents work, there will be more income.
But this is not always the case. If you add up the numbers, oftentimes you are not getting ahead financially by working and paying daycare.
When you subtract childcare costs, auto expenses, dry cleaning and other work related expenses many find they are not making that much by working outside the home.
The truth is that we trap ourselves into thinking that we need two incomes to survive. Whether it’s keeping up with the Jones’ or buying high tech toys, it seems when you make more, you spend more. When our income increases, instead of banking the difference, we raise our standard of living.
The pressures of dual working parents can weigh on a family. Sometimes working mothers feel guilty for wanting to work away from home. Then there is the issue of balance. Juggling the pressures of work and home can be tough. Trying to make sure meals are made, the house is clean, and the bills get paid between running kids to soccer practice is trying."
http://www.bizymoms.com/articles/benefits-of-stay-at-home-mom.html
Other resources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/76084-child-care-vs.-stay-home/
http://homeparents.about.com/cs/stayathomemoms/a/benefits_2.htm

Highly Recommended Reading

This is an amazing blog post, by the "Desiring God" website, that has just shaken my world.  I highly recommend all mothers to read it.  God has a great plan for moms and it is a high calling.  Motherhood is calling....how are you responding?
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-a-calling-and-where-your-children-rank

MSPI Encouragement

Many mothers have the frustrating issue of their baby suffering with a "milk intolerance", more specifically a  Milk and Soy Protein Intolerance (aka M.S.P.I).  This is more and more common in babies these days and but is fortunately a intolerance they grow out of, unlike a lactose intolerance (not as common). Both of my daughters have dealt with the milk and soy protein intolerance.  It does seem to be a common factor in families.  My first daughter was put on Nutramigen formula because my doctor at the time did not tell me I could change my diet and still nurse her.  I got wise with my second daughter and got pointers from a lactation consultant.  She too had MSPI, but with diet changes I have been able to nurse her  for 11 months and counting :) The best thing to do when you suspect this is an issue is to see your doctor and a lactation consultant, AND MOST IMPORTANT is know that you CAN still nurse your baby.  It will take some sacrifices and some patience, but it is totally do-able. Remember God never gives you more than you can handle and He will bless you for your sacrifices.  

Here is a list of ingredients to avoid and foods that are MSPI friendly/safe to eat.  This is not a complete list of MSPI friendly foods, but simply ones that my family found to be good for us. 

Please comment on this post if you have any more questions or want more info.

MSPI Diet

Ingredients you HAVE TO VOID: milk, cream, milk solids, nonfat dry milk, casein/caseinate, whey, milk chocolate, butter, lactalbumin, textured vegetable protein, soy flour, soy protein, soy protein isolate, soy beans, soy caseinate

Ingredients/products that are safe: soy oil, soy lecithin (b/c these are oils), can have rice milk, almond milk, and hemp milk

MSPI Friendly Foods:  *check this website out for lots more http://intolerantoffspring.com/tips-and-tidbits/favorite-products-list.html

Dressings:

Dorothy Lynch- salads, baked chicken, flavoring for tacos, etc,

Honey Mustard Dressing- just double check label as each brand may be different

Raspberry Vinaigrette- dbl. ck label

Italian- dbl. ck label

Breads/Rolls/Chips:

Mission brand flour and corn tortilla chips

Lays Potato Chips- plain and BBQ flavors only

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls-(not buttermilk flavor)- not sure if dinner rolls are ok.

Rhoades Rolls “Dinner Rolls”- found in freezer section- great for sandwiches, homemade runzas, monkey bread, rolls, etc.

Corn Tortillas- (flour tortillas may have milk proteins/or soy protein in them- just dbl. ck.)- for tacos, etc.

Bisquick Original and HeartSmart

We make homemade biscuits and pancakes (with the rice milk and best life butter- so it was MSPI friendly)   *ask for recipes if you want them.

“Milk” products:

Rice Dreams Rice Milk- in refrigerated section or on shelf in cereal or baking isle

Almond Milk- many brands of this- in refrig. section

Best Life Buttery Spread- by the other butters/margarines @ wal-mart

Cereals/Oatmeal:

Many cereals are MSPI safe- just dbl. ck. Ingred. List (generic brands are usually not safe b/c could contain traces)

Oatmeal- best to stick with the rolled oats and cook them from scratch and then add your own flavorings/ingred.

Snack Food:

Oreos, fruit snacks, twizzlers, etc .- ck. Ingred. lists

* note most off-brand foods can contain traces of milk and/or soy proteins, so it is best to avoid them. 

Great Recipes: http://www.mspimama.com/

Eating out:

Most food is not MSPI friendly- check the restaurants website for ingredients/allergy list before you go.

Arbys- curly fries and chocolate turnover (strange I know) are the only MSPI friendly food.

Wendy’s – fries, chili, hamburger, there is another sandwich that I have but can’t remember its name and its not listed on their website.

Mc Donalds- a few breakfast foods- ck their website

Burger King- no MSPI friendly foods.

Taco Bell – fresco bean burrito, fresco burrito supreme (chicken only), fresco chicken soft taco, cinnamon twists

Other Mexican Resturants – i.e. El Puerto- get a fajita with no cheese and ask for corn tortilla instead of flour, make sure nothing is breaded.

Runza- “Aztec” salad  (b/c  its grilled chicken and no cheese) with Honey Mustard dressing

Quiznos- many MSPI friendly foods, just check their website