“The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.” – Arnold Jean Palmer
I stepped in the building of my first corporate job at the age of 19 yrs, surrounded with career woman looking gorgeous and powerful in suits. I wanted to be just like them.
Why? Because I saw how lost my Mama was when she became a widow with three kids and living with her in laws. Growing up, my mom did not have much authority on us because she had to rely on relatives help to financially get by. She worked so hard to finally be on her own and even manage to buy us our own house with her salary as a government employee.
I want to be the woman who does not rely on anyone to pay her meals, travel or go out and have fun night on her own. When friends and I discuss family life, I stand strong to my ideal life of still having a career of my own and not depend on my husband.
I was that woman for 8 years.
Fast forward…
Today, I hold the title “expat wife” and stay-at-home “mom” to two kids. I am completely dependent to my husband to pay for my needs – clothes, meals and my weekly salon visit.
It was an easy decision to make, I want my son to grow up with his dad and I want our family to be together in one location. Where my husband go, my kids and I go when possible. The first year was difficult and I struggled to be fully dependent on my husband.
I am happy with the woman I am today. I am raising two beautiful kids in a multicultural environment. I look back to the woman I was before and will always be proud of her.
What once seemed a life I do not imagine is the most rewarding one I have today. I’m happy to be devoting the whole of me to raise my kids. Grateful every day that we get to be an expat family here in Dubai.
This post is part of the ‘Quote for Thought’ Blog Hop hosted by UAE Mom Bloggers.
See how other bloggers have been inspired by this quote:
How my study abroad experience helped me – Stars In The Desert
The dilemma of expat parenting – Sand In My Toes
Cuddles and Crumbs 
You are one of those inspiring ‘stay at home’ moms out there, Abigail 🙂 I agree with you, it’s always perfect when the family is together whatever life’s circumstances you are in. God bless your family!
Loved this post! It is so important to be happy with ourselves, so glad you wrote about it.
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It was an easy decision foe me to stay at home too. I don’t miss the corporate life anymore. Besides, we have each other for company!
I quite like the transition that you displayed in your life through your words. When I left my corporate career to be an expat stay at home mom, I had a fleeting moment of identity crisis too, but I was so sure that I wanted to be the person who raises her child hands on, that the rest followed organically.
I totally relate with your post as I’ve been there as well – wanting to have a career and not rely on someone else. But life brought me to Dubai and 2 kids later, I can’t imaging it any other way.
Such an heartfelt post Abigail. I know you are a strong woman and there is so much I learn from you.