Tuesday, March 28, 2017

No Degree is Ever Wasted In Motherhood

“No Degree is ever wasted when you choose Motherhood”
                Have you ever had the thought as the days are long and the budget is super tight that you wish you could use the degree you just spent tons of money on to help support your family. I know I have. I used to think “We could be living so much better right now by how much money I could be making using my degree.” But in reality, you can use your High Earned Degree in Motherhood to help you not only save money; but to raise wonderful children and here’s how. According to Salary.com for 2016, Stay at Home Mom's are worth: $112,962!!! That's A LOT of money! 
   (click on Website to see full image:) http://www.salary.com/stay-at-home-mom-infographic/

               Now, I don’t care what degree you got; everything from Biology to Accounting all the way to Health Science, from English to Engineering to Family and Marriage there is a use for it in Motherhood. Now, I’m going to share my example of how I use my Health Science, with an emphasis in Public Health, in my home, EVERYDAY, to help my family.
                As I said; I majored in Health Science, but before that I was also a certified Water Aerobics instructor (for 4 years), took a class to be a certified Fitness Instructor, CPR certified, took classes in Nutrition, public Programming and so much more, I know a ton about the body, how it works, how to help people and it’s fascinates me; but I always wanted to use it in the working world. I wanted to prove my worth that I am making a contribution to society. I wanted to continue to teach, to create programs…but I chose to be a stay at home mommy (Which I LOVE!!!) and in fact IS making a contribution to the world. Sometimes it’s hard to see because we as a people look at value by our “paycheck” and how much money is in our account. But REAL worth isn’t a paycheck it’s what you do to contribute to society. But I do really admire all you hardworking Mommy’s who have to work from home or away from home and then come home to do be mommy to your kids…Now, THAT’S superwoman!!! I understand that some mom’s have to work and I have great admiration because I would probably be so tired and stressed that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. You guys have my complete respect from me and no judgment here.
                Going back to my degree…I HAD TONS of qualifications. My husband was working (he's a hard worker, like most men who provide for their families and for that I am grateful!) and we had sufficient for our needs but at one point I felt so useless having all these things I accomplished and all I was doing was changing diapers and preparing food; I thought that until recently…
                My husband came home from work and I was cooking dinner. He came up to me and said, “Amy, I’m so glad you cook and eat healthy because if you didn’t I probably would be eating junk food all day.” (Note: He has the biggest sweet tooth). I honestly don’t remember what I was cooking, but I do remember what he said and I really thought about that over the last week. Wow, I am using what I have learned to help my family. I am using my degree to make healthy meals for my family to eat. Then recently I have started a “Amy’s Home Cardio Workouts,” Because the last month I opened and then canceled the next day a gym membership because we couldn’t afford it (after I really looked at our budget) but I took my knowledge and my over 4 years of teaching Water Aeorobics, plus Fitness Instructor course I took, and made my own home workouts for FREE! This saves me over: $532/year! But even better I was able to share my knowledge and still feel like I was using my degree to help people including my family. When I do my workouts my girls dance to my pumped up music and especially my 1 ½ year old…who loves to do pushups with me (in her cute little dress up heals).  I am teaching my family the value of exercise. I realized I am NOT wasting my Degree and neither are you.
                Here’s some examples. If you are a
Business/Accounting major you probably can budget WAY better than I can and you can help save your family money because you know really how it works. You can probably even start your own business from home (which I admire). I try and fail for sure!
                Art Majors, You can create beautiful pieces to display in your home. Teach your children artistic creativity and so much more. (This includes Photography.) I do both of these and have save $100’s of dollars my taking my own children’s pictures instead of hiring someone and I display my own work in my home. (Here's some of my art that I display in my dining room and some Photographs I have taken)

                Science/Biology/Horticultural Majors. You know so much about how things work, plants, animals, etc. You can teach your children about the world around you. You probably have the best yard and garden I have ever seen! (You know how much money you save by growing and creating your own garden)
                Architecture/Construction. You can build and create beautiful things for your home (or even design your future home) and your beautiful yard….don’t even get me started! I hope to get that talent one day!
                Marriage and Family/Child psychology . You can help create peace, love and family unity better than most and understand probably better than others. You can counsel your own family on striving to be a happy family unit. You are probably more patient with your children and can find ways to help them grow in an ideal setting
                Health/Exercise Physiology majors. You can keep your family healthy. You can make play and exercise the same. You can teach how the body works and so much more!
                Nurse. You can treat those “owie’s” Better than most! You can tell the difference between cold/flu symptoms and then treat it with exactness. You know more about bacteria, viruses and can help keep your children safe from those things.
                Home Ec/Cooking. You know how much it cost to BUY a gourmet meal! You can make it at home…and it probably taste way better too! Along with sewing (You can make a Prom dress for your girls for 1/3 the price. These are just covering the basics.
(Here's a dress I made for $25 or less)

                Teachers/Education. Hands down to all you Education majors. I have to use programs and Youtube to help teach my kids. You know how to teach children the most effective way and can help teach your own! Nothing is more valuable than that of an educated child. You can even home school if you wanted.
                Cosmetology/Makeup artist. I always wanted to do cosmetology. You guys make people look beautiful and I bet you save so much money having the skills to use on your own family; especially when prom comes around for your girls; You can do their hair instead of hiring someone. My poor husband will just have to deal with my hands on training haircuts and off to the beauty saloon I’ll go.
                The list goes on and on. No degree is ever wasted!!! You can use your knowledge daily to help create a beautiful home, loving family, children who are educated, a budget that’s works and so much more. Also, if you want to learn or be better at something...you are never too late: You can! There are sooo many resources; youtube, other blogs, books, etc. that can teach you how to do anything! Seriously, my Dad used youtube so much to help him get through some classes he is now taking in college because people just explained it better. Keep it up mommy’s you are doing great!  You are doing better than you think you are and if the time comes were you can use your degree outside the home (which I am hoping I will!) Then that is great! Some may be sooner than most, which is fine, you can help provide and support because you got a degree and the Lord will bless you to be able to do that. Remember: Blessings come and the Lord compensates when you do what is right.  
From my house to yours,
Love, Amy
               

                 

1 comment:

  1. Amy, I never got a degree. actually I got a GED (so no real high school diploma either). But I still agree with your perspective. I am a Stay-at-Home Mama like you. My children keep me very busy. It is a great work and I use more skills than I can count on a daily basis. Thank you for the encouragement. I often wonder if I would be better getting a degree. Now I know that for my calling in life, I am right where I need to be.

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