One day. I'm just not sure when.
The thought of going back to work has been dancing around in my head for the past few months.
I was at the traffic light the other day and saw the work crew crossing the street to go into a famous medical device building here in town.
That's when my mind started to wonder, what if I were in that crowd. I've been a stay at home since I was about 5 months pregnant. I've done some some consulting work online but, haven't physically gone into an office and punched a clock in about 4 years.
I don't have any regrets on the decision for me to stay home and raise our son. There are times I dream of dropping my son off at preschool and going to work full-time. Does that make me a bad mom? I sure hope not.
I'm watching this show--The secret life of a soccer mom.
This woman has 3 kids and has been a stay at home mom for the past 10 years. She has decided to switch roles and go back in her former life as a fashion designer.
Dad (a physician) has been chosen to stay home with lists of what he's supposed to do. The kids have managed to trash the house and he's just going with the flow. I love when he kept saying, "STAY" to the kids. They're toddlers, you know toddlers will stay exactly where you tell them to stay, YEAH RIGHT!
Knowing my husband, I would not have to leave a list with him to take care of his kid. If there are days I need to leave DJ home with daddy or big sister, I give them a big hug and kiss and leave. I don't worry how they're going to parent. I look at it this way, we all have different ways on how we "parent" DJ and as long as he has eaten, taken a bath, and put to bed at a reasonable hour, everything in between are nothing but fillers and they are responsible enough to handle it.
While watching this show, I found myself dreaming of the day I decide to finally go back to work. I wonder how my first day will be. Will I cry and think of my son the entire day OR will I click my heels and jump for joy.
Well, since I'll be home with my son for some years to come, I'll just enjoy closing my eyes and dream of joining the workforce.one.day.
I really enjoyed watching this show as it gave me a chance to wonder how it would feel to 'escape' for a week.
My son is a social being. He's like his mommy. I think it would be a good thing for him to be around other kids his age. I'm sure he's really tired of tracing letters and finger painting with his mommy!
Come to think of it, there's a Learning Center in town which advertises a FREE week trial period for potty trained 3 year olds. I just might take them up on that offer. I better hurry, the offer expires 6/1/08.
The decision to stay at home OR work outside the home is a major decision to consider. Thankfully I have the support of my family if I decide to go back to work or continue to stay home.
Question: If you're a stay at home mom, have you ever dreamed of working full time?
If you're a mom that works outside of the home, have you ever dreamed of staying home full time?
What were your thoughts?
19 comments:
Well, my baby is 17 and there have been a couple of years mingled in that I worked part time and a couple that I worked full time.
But for the most part I stayed home.
My biggest thought is;
The grass was always greener on the other side.
There were days I couldn't wait to make some of my own money and get some freedom. Then there were days I had to get home, things just weren't right in my world.
If I have any regrets it's that I believed I could have the best of both worlds. Instead I got a tired wore out body trying to do too much.
I do have some friends that have worked the whole time since their children were born and loved it.
I think it's really a matter of personal preferance.
Blessings to you!
My kids are 6, 8, and 12. I have been a SAHM since July of last year. I love it. I have thought about if I am going to go back to work, but IF I do it will be once the kids are MUCH older.
I don't think I ever dreamed of being at home. I am a single mom so staying home was not an option. I had thought about if I got married when my child was younger would I stay home and I could not see it.
I was laid off for almost a year and luckily I had savings and unemployment. That time off I liked the idea of freedom I just did not like being at home. I can see maybe having a job where I can work from home part time.
I think about it all the time! Mine are 8, 5.5, 1. I stay at home a do a little moonlighting on my laptop during naptime. I do dream of returning one day... it's one of the reasons I enjoying blogging=escape.
Sometimes I miss it. But then I think about how stressed I was trying to be everything for everybody and the lack of "me time". I never say "never". LOL Who knows. I keep my resume online and in circulation. If the right offer came along, I could be convinced.
Last week I told the hubby I was going to put the kids somewhere and go back to work. He looked at me and said are you serious!
I told him I was just playing. My hormones were still out of wack (still are a little) and it had just been a hard day with an active 2 yr. old and a 3 week old. Today I can't imagine not being at home with them.
I'm not a mom, and I'd love to stay at home lol.. A recent graduate so, i'm going to have to look for work.
congrats on winning the Announcements Galore Giveaway!
ohh, I didn't know you got your own domain forwarded to your blog.
I think deciding to stay home or work outside of teh home is a very hard and personal decision. I had the benefit of doing both and for me, I think I like working outside of the home, but I think I would be able to find a better balance, if I had a part time out side of the home job. Right now I need to work full time, but if I could afford to AND found a job as fulfilling as my current position I would go for part time. I think it would be perfect if they would pay me my full time salary to do what I do now for 3 days a week, I think that would be a good balance for me.
I have always had the best of both worlds. I work from home and go to meetings outside of the office. Now that I am also in law school things are a bit more hectic but because it's part-time it's workable. I think you'll love being back in the groove. Maybe you don't have to do 9-5 five days a week. I am a big believer in creating what you want for yourself.
Wow this is a very interesting discussion. I stayed at home with the first for until he was 23 mos and then went back into the workforce. My return wasn't planned, but definately the best thing looking back on the decision now. I have no regrets about the return.
Now I'm a SAHM again with the second. I can't say that I'll never go back to work, but certainly not something I'm planning at this point. I'm loving being a SAHM more now than the first time.
I have been a SAHM for 13+ years. I went "back to work" about 3 years ago for 9 months. It was nine of the most miserable months of my life! Funny thing is the job was in my kids school at the time so it is not like I never saw them. I just missed all the homeroom mom duties and attending parties and class activities. I mananged to go on one or two field trips but they were by default because they were schoolwide trips and all faculty and staff attended. I suppose you have to go with your gut and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with going back to work or even pondering the thought of it. Do what makes you and your family happy. You can always give it a try to see if is what you really want and if so then I am so happy for you! Good luck and let me know what you end up deciding
I never thought about being a SAHM when I was working. Altho sometimes I do have thought of working outside the home. My biggest fear is being out of work for years and having it affect my work history. AND leaving my children in the care of others.
When my 1st child was born, I stayed home full-time for the first 14 months and then went back to work part-time at the preschool where she was attending. Then I had baby #2 and stayed home with him for 7 months and went back part-time again at a preschool where I could bring them. I've been really blessed to be able to bring my children along to work with me, but at the same time, it does make it more stressful.
Right now I am working from home part-time doing some freelance writing. It's not much money, but it's keeping me home.
I may go back to work in the next year or so, but hopefully just part-time teaching. I know some day I will probably go back full-time and I honestly dread that day of trying to keep up with the demands. It stresses me out just thinking of it.
I work somewhat part time now, even though I make my own schedule and I do something I enjoy - scrapbooking. Best of all it gives me a little "break" and the money is definitely a plus. Somehow though, it doesn't feel like "work" and it's definitely not a career.
I've love being home with Connor and soon he'll venture off to preschool but I won't go back to work until he's in first grade. I KNOW that I can't stay home for the rest of my life and I wouldn't want to. I can relate to aly cat 121. I worry about being out of work for a long time, how it will affect my ability to find another job and then I'd be lying if I said I didn't worry about my age and re-entering the workforce.
It's such a personal decision. Doing what's best for not only your family but for YOU is what truly matters.
I have always worked and there are times when I regret working. It is hard coming home at 5:30 and feeling like the day is pretty much over with.
Last year I took a promotional opportunity and now, more than ever, I find myself missing out on things I used to be able to enjoy in my old job, those intrinsic benefits you gain over the years, like the flexibility to take off and do things with my son or attend school functions during the work day.
If we were to adopt more children, I would definitely reconsider my decision to work.
I plan on staying at home for as long as possible, but we also plan on expanding one of our busines' next year and I will be in charge of that, but I'll be doing it from home.
I never want to work for someone ever again! can't get rich that way and I plan on being way rich..lol
You're not a bad mother for desiring a job. Every woman has her own journey. Do you girl!
I just updated my resume the other day and saw that in Jan 2009 it will be 5 years since I worked. That's about a big a gap as I wanted. Nevertheless, these are just thoughts, and I do not intend to push the issue. It's all in my daughter's timing regarding potty training and my husband's input. We'll see!
I am a full time working mom...and I have daily imaginings of being a sahm...but honestly knowing myself I think I would prefer to work part time. That would be a happy medium.
I am mostly a SAHM, but not by choice. I do work part-time and am looking for a full-time position. As much as I love my kids and being around them, I crave the feeling I get when I am working. I like tidying up at the end of the day and can see what I've accomplished that day.
Post a Comment