Life as a single Mother-Empty nest, Dating, Ex-husband, Best Friends, Full-time Employment, Unemployment, night school...How do these all relate to one another? Come with me:

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Employed Once Again


I just accepted a job offer yesterday morning. It is a great job. I cant help but feel a little bit bittersweet. Being a single working mother, I have worked full time since I was 18 years old. I love to work. I'm not really a stay at home type. Sure I have enjoyed being able to sleep in if I wanted, and to run errands in town which are a bit of a hassle when working and they are only open during work hours. I have also enjoyed very much being home when my girls get home from school and able to run them to and from school on the bad weather days.

The job I have accepted will be a full time job approx 30 minutes each way from home. They mentioned that there will be some late nights and some working Saturdays.

I am really OK with working, even long hours. I love what I do. But I also love spending weekends with my kids. I am one of the lucky parents. One who's kids don't abhor hanging out with them. And each day that goes by, I realize it is a short matter of time until they are too busy with their own lives, jobs and eventually families to have as much time to hang out. these days are precious and I don't want to work them away.

Of course all of this is projection. I don't even start the job until next Monday. It is great pay, it is fun and challenging work, and it pays the bills and keeps me from going insane with boredom. There will be challenges: sharing a car, getting to daytime appointments, and others.

On the flip side, (sorry it is the Libra in me) I have always had these same struggles. But for the job I have worked for the past 3 years, I have always had to juggle appointments and getting home from a commute.

One previous job I had which was a commute, I worked at most of my adult life, was far enough away from home that I had to work out a lot of arrangements if the kids were sick or had performances or doctor appointments in the daytime. At that time, my parents were also close and helped out on occasion. They are no longer in the area.

But, regardless of all of this, I am excited to start this new job, this new chapter in my life. It seems from my interviews, that I can make a real difference in not only the design of new products but also the productivity and efficiency of the company and manufacturing itself. If that is the case, there just may be no more weekends and late nights.

I hope that all these years of work and school, doesn't make my children resentful of my lack of time but rather teaches them good work ethic and that you can truly do anything you set your mind on.

6 comments:

  1. WooHoo!! Congratulations on your new job! In this economy, it's great thing to hear, "You're Hired!" There are so many people losing jobs right now; count yourself among the lucky!

    I know that kids, when they get older, do see the sacrifices as a positive example for them. I'm sure your kids will feel the same. The example you're setting will be a guidepost for them in the years to come.

    Again, Congrats! Now go out and celebrate with your kids! :)

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  2. thank you SD. yes you are so right. I have so many friends who are out of work. the economy doesnt discriminate on any skill set, age, race or gender. Everyone can be affected. i am very lucky.
    I hope you are right about my kids. I think so. and appreciate your kind words. Now, to celebrate! ( and not catch the house on fire)

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  3. Congrats on the new job. I'm with solo dad, getting a job in this economy says a lot. Well done.

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  4. congrats on the job!! I know its so hard weighing up what the kids will take from the lives we live as single parents..what they will remember...what they will resent! BUT, all we can do is give them our all, in the time we have!! love them completely..and take care of them..which means our time may be limited! they will see this as a great example of love and dedication to them.....

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  5. Thanks Debbie- I do think that my children are a good example of thier mothers love and dedication. If others comments are any indication. I love to get comments

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