Oh man, where do I even begin?
First off, let me tip a big hat to all the mamas out there who went back to work right after their maternity leave. Maybe you didn’t have a choice and had to make that decision out of necessity. I salute you.
And to all those mamas out there who are working and go to school, I’m in awe of your strong will. You ladies are true heroes.
And to those single mamas playing all the roles in your kids’ lives while bringing home a paycheck, you’re angels. You’re enough. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.
I’ve never seen myself as someone who necessarily loved to work. I saw a job as more of a means to generally live, not a passion. When I found out I was pregnant, I started planting the seed to my husband to stay at home full time. I envisioned myself as a home maker, ready to make the world right at our family’s central command station. I was spent and burnt out on the idea of working a job and I couldn’t envision myself doing it while raising a kiddo, especially when I knew we could survive on one income. I’m not saying it’s been a luxury monetarily, but it was something that I welcomed with open arms. I still do. I love every minute I’m at home with my little, watching him grow and discover new things every day. But I’d be lying if I said while I’ve been home over these past two years that I haven’t missed having adult interaction in a work environment.
Recently an opportunity too good to pass up fell in my lap from a previous employer allowing me to work from home. Perfect! I figured this is my answer in finding a balance to raising a kid and getting back into a groove of doing adulty-work things.
Pfft.
It’s been three weeks, guys. Three. Weeks. I’m a hot mess. Not over stressed, not over worked, but just a hot mess!
It’s been about a week since I’ve cooked an actual meal that didn’t consist of fish sticks, apple sauce and quinoa.
My kid has made it a point to be present at all my weekly video conferences by shoving his way up my lap to show everyone his stuffed dinosaur. I’m confident Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was singing in the background while I made a few calls to clients. My “flexible” work schedule pretty much means do ten minutes of work and then ten minutes of driving trucks around the house.
Thankfully, I work with a bunch of family-oriented people who get it, but if I’ve learned anything so far, this past month, it’s that I have an over abundant appreciation for those that did this from the start. Every day.
The balance will find its way back into our lives for sure, but in the meantime, I’m just going to keep chuckling over here at the few new white hairs I’ve achieved while starting this new chapter in my life.
