Every once in a while I'll log onto Edjoin (a major teaching job website) and see if there are any middle or high school Language Arts position openings. I even did this when I was teaching and happy at my school. It's always good to keep your options open in my opinion.
This morning I looked on Edjoin and noticed a teaching position opening up in January at a private school in Laguna Niguel. The position is for middle school Language Arts and fills a maternity leave position with the intent of keeping the person on after the maternity leave ends. Part of me really wants to apply. This is a job right up my alley. And I already know what it's like starting a teaching job mid-year so I have that going for me. And I have 7 years of middle school teaching under my belt - I'm sure I'd be a great candidate for the position.
I love being at home with the kids, but I do crave my professional life back. Marlo will be a year old in January so it's not like she's a newborn anymore. But the other part of me thinks going back to work is a silly decision. We'd have to find childcare for Marlo which would add stress, I wouldn't be able to keep up the house as much as I do and we'd probably have to have our cleaning lady come more often. I'm sure I would feel like a "bad" mother because I wasn't spending enough time with my kids. And I'd miss out on a bunch of stuff like going to Liam's school functions that happen in the middle of the day. And I wouldn't be there for so many of Marlo's firsts.
I suppose I want to go back to work for selfish reasons. It would be different if we needed my income as well, but we don't. Joe works hard so I can be at home with the kids and make our home life as good as it can be. But I miss having adult conversations. I miss having to get dressed to go some place. I miss my own paycheck, as small as it was. I miss getting told that my classroom looked good or I taught a great lesson. No one gives me a pat on the back at home. I'm more likely to get spit up on or shat on. Go figure.
Any other parents out there who have dealt with this dilemma? Would love to know your thoughts!
Sometimes I'd like to work too but I love the freedom of NOT working so much. I think now that I've found cycling I'm good to be a SAHM for a long time.
ReplyDeleteKari,
ReplyDeleteI have gone through this three times! And as much as it seems like a thankless job, everyone benefits from you being at home. If you dont need to work,(outside of the house), then embrace this moment it time. Before you blink they will be off to college! And I'm with Erica, I love the freedom of not working. It has given me time to explore other things. Don't beat yourself up whatever you end up deciding. Being a great mom will help some future teacher out there one day! And I'm sure you can relate to that!
Have you considered taking up a part-time tutoring job? The part-time aspect really helps mother's work and still be around for the children. The happiest working mom's I know are at work 3 hours a day max...
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