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A New Kind of Job

April 10, 2013

As a new mom (or dad) one of the first big choices you have to make is whether or not you’ll be returning to work after your little one is born. For some this choice is easy, but for others you agonize over the “right” decision. In my case it was easy. I could NOT work. I was a teacher at a private school and the cost of child care far exceeded what I made “shaping the youth of America.” (sounds fair, right?–but that’s another topic all together!) I quickly found peace with the decision because it’s what we had to do.

Reading class!

I’ll be the first to admit that I did not fully understand what it took to be a stay-at-home mom. My mom did it for most of my childhood, and so did many others. They made it look so fun and doable (*note I did not say easy). I was really pumped up to be fortunate enough to stay home with Henry. Almost 6 months later, I can tell you that it has been awesome. I love being there when he wakes up, listening to him giggle all day long, being there for every milestone, taking him outside now that the weather is getting better, and so much more. I would not trade it for anything.

Recess with a friend

However, somedays I find myself wishing I was back in a classroom. I loved my job. I was good at my job. I loved my students, colleagues, and even the parents! It was a fantastic job. It is hard to be “So and So’s mom” all the time and not Maureen or even Mrs. K. It has been easy to lose my old, vibrant self in napping and feeding schedules, nursery rhymes, and housework. I long to talk to other adults, to actually sit down to eat lunch and have a few moments of relaxation, to take a shower where I can condition my hair AND shave my legs, to wear nice clothes without the fear of being spit up on….you get the idea! I suppose “the grass is always greener!” I have to look at it as now I have a different kind of job that is equally as important. Instead of teaching multiplication, I play peek-a-boo. I read to Henry, we sing songs, get out to explore the world, and get in some gym and music time, too!  I find balance by tutoring former students a few times a week, getting a sitter once in a while to go work out or run errands without Henry, and going out to dinner with my girlfriends or husband. Balance is key! Whether you stay at home, work full or part time, being a parent is hard work! Finding the right balance is essential in order to maintain your sanity and happiness!

Learning about animals

I asked my “Baby Mamas” how they came to the decision whether to stay home or go back to work. Their answers varied. Some didn’t have a choice and had to go back to work because they couldn’t afford to lose their income. Others wanted to go back to work and are enjoying being back in the work environment. One mom is back at work because her company pays for her fertility treatments. Another mom is a partner at a law firm with her husband and she balances work and motherhood by working from home a few days a week and bring her son to work with her on others. All the situations are different, none of them are perfect, but they are all the right choice for their family. It’s not easy to be at home all the time and it’s not easy to leave your baby. Ultimately you have to do what is best financially, mentally & logistically for your family.

Cheers to all parents out there–you’re doing a great job!

-Maureen is the Chicago city coordinator for LLD and a new mommy!

 
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Lucky Lil’ Darlings, LLC’s Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected by Lucky Lil’ Darlings (hereinafter LLD or we/our). This policy governs our collection, usage, and dissemination of your personal information by LLD. We reserve the right to update, change, or modify this policy.

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