Working Mom

Some people might not know that before I had my four kids, I was a college English teacher. In fact, my last contract before becoming a mom went right up until my due date with Ben. (Luckily he was born a few days late....)

When Ben was two, and I was expecting Janae, I went back to teach one last semester, ending two months before Janae was born. I loved being in the classroom again and working with students, but I missed my little Benjamin and felt like I wasn't as good of a teacher as I'd once been.

Since then, I have only worked from home, taking care of my family and doing some accounting for Jason's landscaping business.

A year and a half ago, I started working from home as a freelance writer and editor. I created dialogues and articles for English language learners, discovering how to measure readability levels and finding creative ways to incorporate required vocabulary words and phrases. Although I enjoyed this work and got great feedback, I was working too much and making too little money (often less than $5 an hour).

This year, with Eric starting kindergarten, I thought it was time to do something more profitable. I started looking for work several months ago, writing letters of application and sending off resumes, still not sure what could possibly be suitable for me with my schedule.

I couldn't work afternoons, because my kids need me to drive them to music lessons, track practices, play dates, and other after-school activities. 

After having been in the hospital last fall and being unable to drop off and pick up my kids, I realized I didn't want to leave this to someone else--especially this year with Eric just starting kindergarten. It is too important to me to be there.

I didn't want to work evenings or weekends, because then our family would never be together.

I thought about night shifts, but then remembered how badly I cope with sleep deprivation.

Early mornings? Who would get the kids up and ready for school while Ben and Jason are at seminary? 

So what I came up with was that I could work 9-2. Unfortunately, though, I discovered there isn't much of a market for this time slot.

A few weeks ago, I interviewed for a teaching job that I thought I would love at an alternative learning school, but they needed someone who could work 9-3:30, so I said no.

Then last week I interviewed for a job with a non-profit organization that teaches people about epilepsy and seizures (something I know next to nothing about). I emphasized that although I have teaching experience, I have no medical knowledge--but that I am a good researcher and not afraid of public speaking.

This week, I was offered the job: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Thursday with an occasional presentation to do on a Saturday or during an evening. Oh, and I wouldn't have to start until Eric's first full day of kindergarten, following the school's gradual entry schedule.

I couldn't believe I had actually found something that would work so perfectly!

I will still be able to take my kids to school and pick them up (starting at 10 even gives me a bit of extra time in case Eric follows the family tradition of separation anxiety in the mornings before kindergarten). I'll have Fridays to do errands, AND I'll finally be making more than minimum wage. Quite an accomplishment for someone with a master's degree in English, I guess.

Seriously, though, I feel so blessed to have found a way to work that won't take too much time away from my family. These babies are growing up fast....