In the past month or two, I have become "friends" with co-workers and students that I have worked with in the past. I wonder what they think when they check my profile and see that I am a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom).
You see, I had a career before having children and I very much enjoyed it.
- I worked for Dell Computers back in it's heydey...think mid-90's. I worked in University Relations/College Recruiting and LOVED IT. It was crazy hours, crazy co-workers, crazy travel and lots of responsiblity. But I loved it and I didn't mind the hours because of that love and enjoyment.
- I worked for INROADS (love love love the mission of the organization and loved this job). Again, I worked crazy hours, had a crazy travel schedule and had crazy (but FUN!) co-workers.
- I worked for The University of Houston (go Coogs!). I loved this job as well. Quite a few of co-workers became first time moms while I was there so we all had each other for support. Plus, I got to work with college students once again, my favorite!
I was a whiz at Excel, Powerpoint, Word and meetings/conference calls.
My outgoing personality lended itself well to what I was doing. I multi-tasked with the best of them and had many projects going on at the same time, all of the time.
(Oh wait, my 2 year old just climbed into my lap to help me type this post. I just snuggled his head and kissed his cheek.)
My career mindset changed when I gave birth to my first child, Sophie. My heart literally burst with love the day she was born and I started changing. When I returned to work after maternity leave, I cried for two weeks when dropping her off at daycare. I drove 10 miles one way, every single day for three months, to see her during my lunch hour.
Although I knew she was fine and in very capable, lovable hands, I was not fine. I so badly wanted to stay home with her. I missed her so much. So very much.
Anthony and I repeatedly discussed our situation to see if there was any way to make it work for me to stay home with her. At that time, there was no way to make it work. I needed to work. Then, an opportunity arose for Anthony in Austin, the city that we always wanted to live in, and we jumped on it. We knew from the moment he got that offer and we started talking about a move, that would be the TIME for us to make IT work for me to stay home with Sophie.
The rest is history. We moved and I left my career behind to begin a new "career".
There has been no looking back.....except there has been looking back from time to time.
When I changed "careers", I felt like I was re-creating a whole new identity. I'm still the same person, but then again, I am not. I am still outgoing, friendly, funny, a chit-chatter, professional, articulate, responsible, and creative.....it's just that my "clients" now are my children.
I've traded in my high heels for running shoes. I do blow dry my hair every day but the make-up application is hit or miss. I park in MY garage. I have lunch (sometimes) with friends and their children. My "planner" is online and I carry a backpack or large purse. I enjoy my "work" (most of the time- HA!).
Although I no longer work in the "corporate" world, although my "career" has drastically changed, although it is very difficult at times to carve out quiet time for myself, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Nothing brings me more joy that spending the days with my children.....even when they are driving me crazy.
Did you trade a career to stay at home with your kids? What did your "professional" life look like?
8 comments:
i think you made a wise choice....so glad you got the opportunity! You are doing great at this new position!!! ;o)
I think I stayed in the work force a little longer that you did after having #1 but I'm SO glad I got to stay home when I did. I can't imagine sending all of my kids to daycare.
Although a grown-up lunch every now and again would be nice.
And I fear my Excel skills are NOT what they used to be... ;)
Oh well! I sure can clean a butt really well though - HA!
See you soon!
I did used to work outside of the home, but I've never had a career.
Now I do, and I love it.
I never once regretted being a stay at home mom. I loved it and it was time that I would never get back if I worked. I went to work when my youngest started all day kindergarten and then I worked at my kids school. It was the perfect arrangement. We went to school together and we came home together. Careers are nice, but your kids are better.
I don't regret staying home with my kids. I knew it the minute I enrolled Kyle in daycare that it was what I needed to do. It was hard. It IS hard. I miss the friends, the socialization, the pretty clothes; but none of it compares to them.
I once had a well paying job. I had the nice clothes, shoes and highlights in my hair. I traded all that in for boogies, hugs kisses and a lifetime of happiness. (some days that is up for debate! lol!) My clothes are now tennis shoes, t shirts, yoga paints, jeans and flip flops. But I LOVE it! They are only little once. I know that I can BE there any day she or her teachers need me. This is what I am SUPPOSED to do.
It does not minimize the fact that there are other moms who do work. They are awesome beings! I admire their determination and energy to be able to do both. I have recently started a part time job and boy oh boy, I have to hand it to the full time working moms! They really deal with lots!
I have three kids, aged 5, 6 and 8. When my 8 year old was born, the plan was to take 12 weeks off from my job as an attorney in a firm. She was colicky at first, and at 12 weeks, she had just turned the corner and I just couldn't go. So 12 weeks stretched to 5 months. I went back part-time -- 3 days a week. My 2nd daughter came 21 months later, and I dropped to 2 days a week. 19 months later, girl 3 arrived, and I have been at this 2 day a week thing all along. She is now 5 and will be in kindergarten next year. I do not regret at all what I have done. Professionally and financially, I have taken quite the hit. But I had my kids late -- between the ages of 37 and 40 -- and I think I knew that if I weren't there, my clients would find another lawyer to defend them in their discrimination case. As a mother, I am not replaceable. So, here I am, still here most days a week to hear what happened at school, who did what on the bus, etc., etc. It's the little stuff but it's the big stuff, you know?!
I'm in this weird funk now. The kids are getting older and as they keep getting older I am realizing I have to figure out what I want to do when they are in school full time. It's all going to fast. I want them to be babies again, lol
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