The end of August beginning of September has always been a favorite of mine. The Jersey beaches are at their most beautiful. It also means getting my kids ready to go back to school. When I was still teaching I enjoyed the back to school preparations.
My kids both wear uniforms so the back to school shopping is a little easier. We replenish items needed and we get the usual school supplies. These tasks are easy. The area that allows for discussions and some individuality are the school shoes. This year was actually a little easy. Except for me, once again I am not going back to work in September so I didn't need new shoes. I am not the kind of mom that does the day to day activities and errands in cute heels. I enjoy a nice shoe when I go out at night. Despite popular misconceptions I also don't schlep around all day in sweats. I think I have found a happy medium. What I did not need was another pair of heels, so I looked longingly and walked away.
Its funny that these are the little things I miss about having a job. I miss shoe shopping, I miss morning coffee talk while setting up things with a co teacher, I miss lunch time banter and gossip, and I miss the schedule and routine the most.
As I embark on year three of this new path of mine I will challenge myself to put better routine and schedule in place. I will also go out there and make new connections for coffee and lunch. I have gotten the chip off my shoulder, that was so last year, and I have accepted this is my new career. I will make the most of it. Because to me this is the best time of the year, it is new beginnings.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
G.T.L.
Let me start off by saying, I have a strong work ethic. Just because I am not employed "outside of the home" does not mean other wise. In fact it is one of the reasons I don't work. When working I feel an incredible sense of responsibility to my coworkers, students and employers. I have a hard time letting them down when my family pulls me in another direction. I got my first job at 15 and was steadily employed since then.
During the past two years I often get asked what I do with my day. Now when I answer I know that all the things I'm about to share I did while working too. I just think its odd that people are fascinated with my free time. So, I usually go with something along the lines of my Jersey counterparts those crazy "kids" from the shore. G.T.L. baby! No, its not gym, tan and laundry for me. Tanning is so '90's. No for me it can mean gym, taxi, laundry. You know driving those kids here and there. It can mean grocery, toning, laundry. Sometimes I just do the G. L. L. gym, laundry, laundry. My family goes through a lot of clothes. It starts with school uniforms and then whatever they change into when they get home and then sports uniforms, making for a lot of laundry.
I also spend a lot of time at the pharmacy, having a child with a chronic illness brings you to interesting places. I clean, I cook, and I help run our small non-profit. I am there at a moment's notice when the school nurse calls. I also substitute teach.
I guess that is not the same to the people that ask what I am doing in my free time or when I am going back to work. Now if I was asking them to pay the bills that would be a different story. But, they are not so until they are my answer remains "G.T.L." I found that is a more favorable response than M.Y.O.B.
In a few weeks when the little, and not so little ones, go back to school don't ask your mommy friends what they do all day. You may not like the answer.
During the past two years I often get asked what I do with my day. Now when I answer I know that all the things I'm about to share I did while working too. I just think its odd that people are fascinated with my free time. So, I usually go with something along the lines of my Jersey counterparts those crazy "kids" from the shore. G.T.L. baby! No, its not gym, tan and laundry for me. Tanning is so '90's. No for me it can mean gym, taxi, laundry. You know driving those kids here and there. It can mean grocery, toning, laundry. Sometimes I just do the G. L. L. gym, laundry, laundry. My family goes through a lot of clothes. It starts with school uniforms and then whatever they change into when they get home and then sports uniforms, making for a lot of laundry.
I also spend a lot of time at the pharmacy, having a child with a chronic illness brings you to interesting places. I clean, I cook, and I help run our small non-profit. I am there at a moment's notice when the school nurse calls. I also substitute teach.
I guess that is not the same to the people that ask what I am doing in my free time or when I am going back to work. Now if I was asking them to pay the bills that would be a different story. But, they are not so until they are my answer remains "G.T.L." I found that is a more favorable response than M.Y.O.B.
In a few weeks when the little, and not so little ones, go back to school don't ask your mommy friends what they do all day. You may not like the answer.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
An unexpected turn
How I ended up in the world of "stay at home mom"-dom is slightly different than most of my friends. I taught in a school I loved after my first child was born. After the birth of my second child I did my first stint in the world of SAHM. After four very fulfilling years I was able go back to teach at my children's school. It could not have been more ideal. However, my daughter has a chronic illness that sometimes leads to long hospital stays. During the 2008-2009 school year the hospital stays became more frequent and my guilt of trying to be in two places at once did too. On top of that my husband's job required more traveling than ever before. I gave up my career for my family. It wasn't exactly where I saw myself but it was where I needed to be.
It was an odd thing to be a "stay at homer" while my kids were in school. Fortunately I haven't been needed at the hospital bed size during this stay at home stint. (that ole Murphy's law) so I do waffle with going back to work. I just know in my heart that my heart wouldn't be in it at this time. I also find that I get a lot of comments from friends and family members. Everyone has an opinion on where I should be. Funny thing is no one is living this life but me. Some of my friends have been SAHM since there first borns were born and never looked back. Some of my friends have gone back to work. Most of my friends, I think, think the grass is greener. I know it took me the better part of a year to get used to this new life of mine. I no longer apologize when I feel people are jealous. I am lucky to be able to make the choice I made. Some of my friends whose children have the same illness as my daughter aren't able to walk away from a job.
I'm going to keep taking life one day at a time.
It was an odd thing to be a "stay at homer" while my kids were in school. Fortunately I haven't been needed at the hospital bed size during this stay at home stint. (that ole Murphy's law) so I do waffle with going back to work. I just know in my heart that my heart wouldn't be in it at this time. I also find that I get a lot of comments from friends and family members. Everyone has an opinion on where I should be. Funny thing is no one is living this life but me. Some of my friends have been SAHM since there first borns were born and never looked back. Some of my friends have gone back to work. Most of my friends, I think, think the grass is greener. I know it took me the better part of a year to get used to this new life of mine. I no longer apologize when I feel people are jealous. I am lucky to be able to make the choice I made. Some of my friends whose children have the same illness as my daughter aren't able to walk away from a job.
I'm going to keep taking life one day at a time.
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