Today I start my first full time (paid) job in 14 years.
14 years is a long time to have been out of full-time (or part-time) regular employment. I did wonder how I would manage to find work in an industry that I wanted to work in. I didn’t want to just take any old job. If it were a question of money I would have just pursued my freelance writing and contract work more fervently.
So it’s not about the money (albeit very very handy). It’s about me. Out of university you take the first job you’re offered just so you can get some experience. But now, I was a little more discerning. (It’s a luxury not many have so I do recognise how fortunate I am to be in this position.) I wanted a job that would satisfy me and wouldn’t completely drag me away from my family.
And that’s what this job is. Work hard at work and then at the end of the day, go home to be with your family.
I’m not nervous about starting my new job. I actually feel more confident and sure of myself (what I want and what I know) than I was when I finished university.
It feels good to start work again. The only drawback is not having the school holidays with my kids anymore. But you know, that’s okay. Because it’s the right thing to do, it’s the right time to go back to full time work.
To allay any fears a recent study showed that a family with a working mother has a positive effect on children. Now I wouldn’t make a decision solely based on a study it’s nice to know that there are people out there having these conversations because working mothers is hardly a new phenomena, although it does still seem to be a tad controversial.
For us, Mr M works from home so the kids will still come home to a parent and it’s good to step back and let Mr M take charge of the afternoons from now on. It will drive his relationship with the kids in a different direction.
So while the change is drastic for me, it’s only a slight change for the kids. Which is to say it’s more comforting for me. If you ask my kids, they’re dying to go to OOSH Care.
My bio used to read that I was a high flying marketing executive who gave it all up for tracksuit pants and daytime TV….and to raise my 4 kids. I’m still raising my 4 kids, I do still love tracksuit pants but daytime TV just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Onwards and upwards.
Good luck for your first day!
Deb
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