Tuesday, August 14, 2012

On being a working mom

I work outside the home almost full time and my kids hate it.  Monday through Thursday mornings usually greet me with questions, cries and the occasional grumpiness.  (Sometimes I'm the one that's grumpy.)  The girls see me scrambling to ready for work and someone asks, "Do you have work today?"

"Yes."

"WAHHHHHHHH!  I don't want you to go to work."

"I know, baby, but you know the drill by now."

Allie has taken it a step further.  She tells me how she wishes work wasn't alive.  And her solution is for us to simply go to the bank and get money.  Why do I have to go to work when I can just go to the bank?  Banks have money.  She also asks me to call in sick when I'm not sick.  (And I swear we did not teach her this unacceptable method of skipping out on work.)

During my two days at home last week due to Anna's illness (and my not feeling very well, but mainly Anna), both Allie and Emily told me that they did not like that Anna was sick but they liked having me home.  (I should note that I am allowed to use my sick days to care for family members or attend appointments.)  Using sick days stresses me out because I feel like I need to keep some in reserve just in case.  We are on a use it during the calendar year or lose it policy so accumulating extra sick or vacation days isn't possible.

So while I was at home those days, I received a sort of promotion at work.

I have been very lucky these past six months to work a reduced schedule and everyone is on board for that schedule to continue.  They understand that I have three little ones at home but I obviously have concerns with balancing work and my family.  There are times when my family needs to come first.  It's not easy and it's not going to get any easier as the girls grow and as I grow.

Let's be honest - the majority of us work for a paycheck.  If we didn't need a paycheck, we would be doing something else.  It's very difficult for young kids to understand this.  I don't ever want them to worry about our financial situation but they need to learn that houses, cars, food, clothes and shoes cost money.  And the money to pay for those items comes from working.  I don't ever want them to think that I am choosing work over them.  Parenting is all about balance as well.

I'm super excited for school to start because I'll be taking the girls to their weekly gymnastics class.   Balance, balance, balance.    

9 comments:

Sophie Slim said...

Congratulations on your promotion!

While I started reading your blog a few years ago, I keep coming back because of posts like this. While I'm a stay at home mum to a 1 year old I very much enjoy and am interested in how you balance your 3 five year olds and work and everything else!

balance balance balance!

You're doing a fantastic job! x

Jessica Anne said...

I worry that my girls will say the same thing when they get older. While I would love to stay at home with them, I, like you, have to work to provide for my family. Some days are harder than others but we all make it through.

Tiffany said...

i SOOO get this. I work full time outside the home and have 2 little girls, 3 yrs and 9 months. Hang in there.

Michelle said...

Congratulations on your promotion.

JEN said...

That's wonderful!
Being a working mom is so tough. It's like living in two different worlds. I don't get to fully enjoy the kids at home because there is so much to do that didn't get done while I was working.

Mommy Anderson said...

Congrats! I'm not even out on maternity leave yet and I already want to cry when I think about coming back to work! (Yeah - probably hormones.)

Sarah said...

Thank you!

Jenn said...

Congrats on your promotion! I've been reading your blog for a while now.i'm a CPA working in public accounting on long island and I have a one year old son and I struggle daily with the balance! Your girls are beautiful!

Staceey L. said...

I think all of us working moms feel a bit guilty. It's sad because we are providing for our kids. If we could survive on one income we would, but with having 4 kids it's impossible.

Congrats on your promotion!