Ava Grace's Closet: Mama Monday: Iva from One Chic Mom
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Monday, December 10, 2012

Mama Monday: Iva from One Chic Mom

Today, I am beyond excited to introduce you all to my long, lost sister. 
You know I've always wanted one.
My brother is somewhere in awesome shock right now. And wondering why he hasn't met her before. 
Welcome Iva from One Chic Mom.
Fellow fashionista. Blazer addict. Navy lover. Mama to 4. {cute little miss on the far right is not her's}
And croatian sister from another mother. 
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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 mother of four, I had my children very quickly (four in five and a half years). After my first I tried to work part-time or work from home but that wasn’t an option for my company. I worked for a great organization, had wonderful co-workers but there was no passion for my work. The decision was easier to stay home. I thought I would go back to work after the second but then the third came followed by the fourth…and the decision became easier.

Did you always see yourself as stay at home mom/career woman? Was it a dream of yours?
I always saw myself as a career woman. I thought I was going to “have it all” – work and family. Seemed easy when I was in university, very different when you’re in the thick of it. I’m happy with my decision now. When I was making it I felt like a sell out. Like I was letting all the women who came before me down. I was the first one to go to university on my mother’s side and I was taught that school was your ticket to success. I will always have my education and you never know what life will bring.

What frustrates you most? What would you change if you could?
What frustrates me the most is when women attack each other for the choices we make. A former work friend of mine posted on her Facebook page how difficult it is to work and take care of her two children and that us stay at home moms had it easy. I don’t know, four kids, oldest 8, husband who works twelve hours a day and works weekends, plus entertains clients. I do everything for/with the kids (drop offs, pick ups, homework which is in French and I don’t speech French, etc.). My life isn’t one big commercial for Calgon. I want more “sisterhood”.

If you are at home, do you plan to return to work one day? 
I want to return to work. Now the question becomes to what? I’ve got no clue. I did tell my husband I am taking a year off – I will go grocery shopping alone, use the bathroom and lock the door, volunteer at the school without having to chase a child around…you get the picture.

Any words of advice for mama's who are struggling with this decision?
When you make the decision to work or stay at home know that sometimes there will be doubts/guilt and that is normal. Just know you made the right decision for you and your family and that’s the only thing that matters.


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.

Iva, thanks so much for sharing your story with us today! 
see previous Mama Monday interviews:
MAMAMONDAY

14 comments :

  1. Beautiful interview! Strong woman!!

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  2. Gorgeous family!

    And wow - I can't believe someone posted that on FB. Although I shouldn't be surprised. A friend of mine who works outside the home once said, when her husband asked what I do all day, that she told him I mostly spend my time shopping online. Cuz the 3 kids I stay at home with would be totally cool with that.;)

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    1. Lol! I'm going to start using that line.
      Ridiculous isn't it?

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  3. Fantastic interview... she gives me something to hope for, that I can still have these kids and stay chic! I love the candor about how she arrived at the decisions to stay home and the reactions she has seen as a result. I think it's a catch-22. Stay home, you have it easy.. (NOT) Work outside the home you have it easier...(again NOT) Work at home... impossible but I keep trying...:)

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    1. I am so with you Jacqueline! Just trying to find that perfect balance. Never easy.

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  4. Go to the bathroom ALONE? I remember thinking that would never happen form me again. Now both my children are in school and I wander around missing them. I am college educated. I stayed home with my kids and never regretted it. It was the hardest job I have ever had. Sisterhood we do need more.

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  5. LOVE LOVE these!!!! Ok Im sending mine just havent gotten to it yet promise its coming. sooo sorry!!!!

    LOVE you :)

    http://fashion-a-holic.com

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    1. No worries my friend! I look forward to it.
      Love back! xo

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  6. Loved this interview - I can totally relate to the guilt. It's hard being a stay at home mom...but I am loving it too!
    Leigh

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  7. Thank you for your encouragement about second-guessing and doubts. That is so true. Just yesterday I was feeling frustrated about all the pulls on my time. I needed this fresh breath of air today. Thanks!

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  8. Love this interview! I'm at home with my two kids, except for a tiny bit of working from home, and I totally think at-home parents deserve a year at home after the kids go to school, just to recover!

    I do struggle with the guilt though... either way, the guilt is there, I think. More sisterhood!

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I love reading every last one. Thanks so much for stopping by our little blog. xo.