White walls, an open kitchen with shaker cabinets, a fancy island and barstools to match – these are some of the currently trending styles when it comes to interior design. New homeowners scour the net for ideas to create insta-worthy angles and the best organisation tricks. There are many who choose to share their renovation journey and insider tips to upkeep pretty homes. One of them is @sixthfloor.revival, an Instagram account ran by ex-preschool teacher Najwa Alhabshi.
I recently sat down with Najwa – who decided to leave her job to stay home and raise her 1 year old son, Na’el – and we spoke about her experience so far being a SAHM.
EM: Hi Najwa! Tell us a bit about yourself – your background, and what your IG @sixthfloor.revival is about.
N: Hi I’m Najwa! I’ve been in the early childhood industry for the last 10 years, but have always had a passion for visual arts, interior design and architecture. I started @sixthfloor.revival last year as a way to express my creative side through my new home. Through this platform, I’ve learned a lot more about design through the connections I’ve made and watching other home owners on their renovation journey. I’m also a Mama to a very active and cheeky 1-year-old boy, Na’el! I recently became a SAHM when I decided to leave my full time job to raise our son.
EM: The decision to leave your job and stay home can seem like a luxury for some, mostly for financial reasons. How did you and your husband take finances into consideration towards this step?
N: It definitely is a financial luxury to be able to live comfortably on a single income. We put the thought of money aside for now as we felt that me being at home raising our son, nurturing him and watching him grow was a bigger luxury in itself. Thankfully having had worked for so long, we’ve collectively accumulated enough savings to be able to support this luxury. Nevertheless, it’s a conscious decision every day to be more mindful with our spending knowing that we’re no longer bringing in as much as we used to. You learn to adjust here and there, and find a spending pace that works.
EM: Who raised the topic of you being a SAHM first? You or your husband? Was it a difficult conversation to have?
N: I had always wanted to be the one to raise my own kids, even though I really enjoy working. I guess you can say things worked out beautifully because when I was on maternity leave my husband kept telling me not to go back to work as he preferred for me to stay at home to raise our son. We enrolled Na’el into the IFC under the same school I was teaching in at first and so I went to work with my baby in tow for a few months before deciding to take plunge and leave my job. No regrets so far!
EM: Tell us 3 things you’ve learnt since being a SAHM that you weren’t expecting!
N: Okay so anyone who knows me knows that I don’t cook. I’m terrible in the kitchen but I suppose God listened to my prayers to marry a chef. Being a SAHM has really pushed me out of my comfort zone in this sense: I’ve learnt my way around the stove! I can now prepare simple dishes for my son and it’s something I never saw myself being able to do! Apart from that, I’d say being a SAHM has also taught me to manage my time better. I’m a lot more purposeful and intentional with the time I have (plus, there’s a million things to get done everyday!). Lastly, even though I’ve taught kids for a decade, I’ve never really handled infants, and my son was really the first infant I’ve ever cared for. I learnt everything from scratch and hey, I’m proud of myself!
EM: Anything you miss about being a working mom? Or does staying home with your child outweigh it all?
N: The money, of course! Financial freedom would be at the top of the list. Second would be free time to do whatever I want. I don’t miss working just yet, but ask me again in a couple of months and that might just change.
EM: Some parents would argue that kids are better off at childcare where they get to learn and socialize more than if they’re home. What do you think?
N: It really is up to the individual. There are pros and cons to both settings. I definitely do think that in school there are more opportunities for social and emotional development as there are other children around. This was a big thing for me, so I try to plan as many play dates with other mums and their kids as often as possible to make up for this. On days where it’s just us two, I bring him outdoors and hope that there are other kids we come across for him to interact with, even if it’s just for a short while.
EM: Your home looks amazing and we love it! But, how do you plan on keeping it look this magazine-spread—worthy once Na’el starts walking and hits the (dare we say) Terrible Twos?
N: Boundaries. This is important for me. We have provided our son with two rooms of his own: a bedroom and a playroom. I believe that if you teach your child to respect your home and set clear boundaries, they can keep to it. I give him the freedom of space to explore the house especially now that he is mobile, but his toys usually stay in his playroom and he knows to stay in the room when he wants to play. But of course I have to be realistic and expect that the house won’t stay neat and tidy all the time. It’s been almost a year with a baby in the house and I’ve managed to keep it pretty decent most of the time. Praying that it continues!
EM: What would you want to say to other Mamas who are considering being a SAHM but are a little hesitant to take that step?
N: Take that leap of faith! If you can afford it, do it because it truly is so rewarding. Trust your gut and don’t look back. I certainly haven’t!
Photo by Najwa Alhabshi