Posted on: 31 Aug 2007
I’ve been thinking…
Most women would agree child rearing is hard, some women avoid having children because they fear how they will raise their children. I will admit that it is quite a challenge raising two kids, even with a wonderful husband who is a great father.
William will be starting kindergarten next week and I have to admit that I am feeling a little apprehensive about this. I believe that William will thrive in school, he is more social then Chris and I put together (which is quite uncomfortable for Chris and I at times, especially in social gatherings. He draws way to much attention to us), he has a great personality and will most likely be very popular. I love it when he shows his thighs to people and says look at my muscles! Like I said great personality.
I had this interview this week for a research position employed by Covance, a great company with lots and lots of benefits. The hours are during the day and most likely Monday through Friday. This is going to take a lot of my mommy time up and we would most likely have to put Briana in day care. We have come to a decision to not have any more kids (things could change, I never know what God brings), any who, I really don’t want to miss Briana in these tiny years and I really want to be involved in William’s schooling even though it’s public school (even more of a reason to stay involved). I want to be apart of PTA meetings and parent day. I want to continue bringing Briana to story time at the library, I want to be there for them. I only have this time now and I want to take advantage of it.
I am left contemplating my next move, work for a really great, resume’ boosting, company or stay home and get a part-time job at a coffee shop or grocery store (which I am by no means to good for, I love coffee shops) and stay home and be involved in two of the best kids in the world. I am not sure what my hourly pay would be at Covance but I am pretty sure it’s more than enough, plus did I mention the great benefits (medical, stock options, education, vacation pay, earned time off, etc.), what’s a mom to do??
Well, if it helps, several things occur to me: if you want the Covenance job, you will probably actually take less time away from things like bedtime and whole-family, weekend time than you would in a coffee shop or grocery store, with more erratic hours. You can certainly also be involved outside of school hours, when most parent organizations operate, and could probably spend vacation days doing field trips and such, right? That’s not to say it isn’t a tough call. I don’t know if any moms really know how to figure out the work/home or me/kids/family/marriage balances. Let me know if it suddenly becomes easier somehow.
I do know that I am a better mom personally for my working at least some, because I am more happy and balanced–but that is not true for everyone!
I like what Laura has said, and even though you already know this, Patrick and I have done both the working opposite shifts and working the same shifts thing and opposites is so much harder on your family time. When working days the time you have off is very important and you treat it as such, and things like dinner and bed time routines are the same everyday with both parents home.
If you do decide to not take the Covance job, maybe you and Vivian can start a supermom group! :o)
wellll, I suppose it depends on your family schedule, (ie, if your kids go down at 6 pm, that’s not much “evening and bedtime” to put all your energy into. Of course, you have already worked days and have yourself commented how you came home, made dinner, and then they went to bed, and that you missed them. Just spend time thinking about what you value and asking God where the answer lies, and don’t compare to some one else’s life or routine (that goes for stay-at-home moms with tons of kiddo time OR working moms who can pay the bills easier and go to a movie once in a while! The grass is ALWAYS greener!) You do have only 3 years before your youngest, and perhaps last, will be going to school during the day as well, so I’m sure that’s on your mind. Relax, pray about it, follow your heart/gut/whatever. You’ll do the right thing.
supermom group, huh, Danielle? odd comment! Wanna clarify?