Mama Monday : Chene from Protype Mama

I'm taking you from France to Louisiana this week.

Kinda like travelling minus the long line ups and bad airplane food!. 

This week, our featured mama is my sweet friend Chene from Protype Mama.
Chene and I met through a social media site some time ago and I always love checking out her blog to see what she "spies that's fly" or if she "pinned it made it"  on any given week.

Adorable family, super sweet hubby and mad creative skills.
Welcome Chene!

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Do you work outside the home or are you a stay at home mom? What led you to either decision? 

I am a stay at home mama, something that was decided when our family moved from the busy life of Dallas, TX to a slow moving comfortable life in Louisiana. My husband first approached me about it after a discussion I had with him about how I felt like I was missing out on some important times in my 3 (at the time) kid's lives. When he started his business back in his home town, the transition just felt right at that time.

Did you always see yourself as stay at home mom/career woman? Was it a dream of yours? 

No, I didn't always see myself as a stay at home mom. I did however see myself as a supermom; a mom that could have a great career and still be at every basketball game, dance recital & spelling bee without missing a beat. I soon woke up from that dream. I always knew that there would be A PERIOD in my life where I would be at home with my children, I just didn't think that it would be at this point in my life. It's just my season.

What frustrates you most? What would you change if you could? 

Besides not being able to just go to the ladies room without a knock at the door (!) the only other thing is when I hear people say 'staying home with your children isn't THAT hard'. Are you kidding? You try it and then report back to me (lol). Another one is when they ask you " What do you do all day"? If they could be a fly on a wall :)

If you are at home, do you plan to return to work one day? 

No I don't see myself going back into the workforce anytime soon, however, I do see myself having my OWN career doing my own thing, with me being MY own boss. Allowing me the freedom to continue to raise my children & do what I love. I'm working on it (check back later).

Any words of advice for mama's who are struggling with this decision? 

I would say, 'Do what's right for your family and your family needs. GOD has a purpose for everyone, so whatever purpose that is-- go with it! Don't look at someone else's situation and try to make it yours, this is your purpose at this moment. Your season might change tomorrow so enjoy your little guys while you can & are blessed to do so.

The decision to work outside the home or stay home with your children is such a personal one. There is no right answer or right decision but rather, I truly feel each woman must do what is right for her and her family.

I commend each and every mother out there for this. It is not easy.

We are women and man, we're amazing.

Chene, thanks so much for sharing your story with us today. 
see previous Mama Monday interviews
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