I filled out a job application yesterday for my former school district here in Tennessee.
For some reason, with all that’s going on in my life, starting a job after THREE years at home with my children suddenly seems like a good idea. I mean I have NOTHING ELSE going on right now AT ALL.
(Except for the fact that we just moved, we close on our house in one week, I have ZILLIONS of things to do for the closing, once moved in I’ll have to unpack my entire house in lightning speed to get ready for Christmas, CHRISTMAS HOLY CRAP IT’S IN A MONTH, A MONTH!, Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, Christmas parties, Christmas baking, and finding childcare because I’m GOING BACK TO WORK.)
I feel a little like yakking in the bathroom.
Three months ago, I’d have never dreamed that I’d be sitting in my kitchen in TENNESSEE, filling out an application for a JOB. Yet, here I am, filling out a job application, talking to my future boss on the phone about the schools that need a speech pathologist and the hours I’d work.
Originally, being a stay-at-home mom was something that I thought I’d do until the kids were in Kindergarten. Eventually, I pushed the timing back to *maybe* junior high. I’ve never even left my kids with a babysitter. But the thing is, I really think I NEED this.
The universe is on my side (so far) on this, too. Every time we’ve moved before, I’ve had to jump through about a gazillion hoops to get a teaching certificate. I recently discovered that my Tennessee teaching certificate is still valid, so there are NO HOOPS. Several of my former co-workers have emailed me and told me how desperately they are in need of Speech Pathologists. Randomly at a birthday party last weekend, I ran into a special education preschool teacher who begged me to come back to work. I was pulling my hair out in frustration trying to answer specific questions about the number of semester hours I’ve completed for the job application and realized that my mom works in Admissions at my former university and can get me all that information.
You have chills now, don’t you? I KNOW! It’s like I’m being guided by some unknown force into returning to work.
I really don’t think I have a choice.
But it doesn’t mean that opening this can of worms isn’t also opening an enormous ulcer.
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Today’s Reader Appreciation giveaway is yet another way the universe is telling me that it’s time to return to work. Well, sort of, if you think really, really, really hard about it.
Who’d like to win a brand new laptop messenger bag from Tom Bihn.com, exactly like the one below…
One lucky winner will win that laptop messenger bag!! Tom Bihn has lots of great bags, messenger bags, laptop bags, backpacks, briefcases, to choose from! I’m thinking that I’m going to NEED a new bag for work!
To enter, leave a comment on this post!!
Comments on this post will close at 7 AM, EST, November 22, 2008.
Comments closed, Thanks for Playing!
Not that you asked, but I think it’s great you’re going back to work. Are you going to try to go back full time or part time? If you manage to find a good babysitter or daycare situation it won’t be so bad. Well, at least not after that first day back.
Cathy´s lastest post..Twitter’s Broken
Going back to work isn’t as bad as it sounds. It will give you a little alone time to just be a person, if that makes any sense. Good luck with the applications!
Good luck! I hope it all works out the way you want it to. Very exciting, ulcer-worthy prospects.
Mom24@4evermom´s lastest post..WW–Concentration
Good for you! I think working is a great reprieve from the stresses of motherhood. When I got to work yesterday, I stated: I am so glad to be here. It’s a good thing for many different reasons.
Janine´s lastest post..Being a saint can be tough, especially when you don’t realize you are one.
OMG I totally feel like I composed this post myself. Just replace speech pathologist with ‘photographer’ and ‘Tennessee’ with ‘Cape Town’ and it’s pretty much the gist of what I posted about just a day or two ago. I’ve been at home for 3 years too. I also said, ‘when they’re in nursery school’. Suddenly my youngest one is 8 months old, and I’m raring to go. I’m really excited. I get the no hurdles thing too. I also get the ‘never even left my kids with a baby sitter bit too’. Freakishly similar. So needless to say, I loved your post, I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one feeling slightly guilty for being freakishly excited with contact with the outside world. OMG Latte – without two kids around my neck! Maybe even a trip to the hair salon once in a while. Shoes with heels!!! (Fans self with large binder, collapses back in chair)
p.s. that messenger back is AWESOME!
Whoops, in my excitement, I said messenger back instead of ‘bag’. Must have been the adrenalin.
Ness´s lastest post..Acobox Rocks
Good Luck!
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s lastest post..A Conversation with Dave
It was hard for me to go back to work but I think it was one of the best things I ever did. Aside from the obvious financial benefits, it gave me some adult time. It’s amazing what some adult chat can do for you. Mind you, now I work nights because paying $1200 a month in childcare just pissed me off.
Good luck!!
And I want that bag…that’s a beautiful bag!
Mad Woman´s lastest post..Yup, naked under my clothes again.
Speech Pathologists are very, very special people and as much as your kids would benefit from you staying at home, there are many, many more kids out there who need you, too. Just don’t make yourself crazy trying to satisfy everybody’s needs.
Take care of Jennifer, first. Because you can’t satisfy ANYBODY’S needs if you, yourself, aren’t happy and satisfied.
lceel´s lastest post..Mac Taylor said
Sign me up! Also, good luck with the job prospecting.
oh my gosh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag. I’d love for it to be mine. k? thanks:)
Yay, Jennifer! I’m so happy for your possible job! I have to say that going back gto work has been the best thing to happen around here for me in a long while. Good luck with everything! Thinking about you ~ take care!
Mandy´s lastest post..Haiku Friday
Orrrrr ….. it cold be a tremendous blessing. I’m hoping for that.
Knot
It’s obviously meant to be…it’s so creepy when stuff like that happens. Good luck with all of it!
Good luck in the whole returning to work thing. I am actually in the process of becoming a full-time SAHM. It is funny how we think our kids need the opposite of what we are giving them and us too. But I do think that it will be good to get your kids in a daycare type enviornment. It will make the transition to school a lot easier. We have had a college student come to our house when our schedules overlapped. But I am still worried about the interaction level that my kids have with other kids.
Lauren´s lastest post..
Good for you! Isn’t it wonderful when everythng just lines up?
I could really use that bag for when I go back to work next semester…
Jennie´s lastest post..Flickr Mosaic (100th post!)
I frequently miss my son while I’m at work, but I think being away from him makes me so much more patient and appreciative of the time we have together. As well as being organized.
Speaking of, I might be a lot more organized if I carried my laptop around in a fancy new bag instead of a 5 year old one with no padding, a non-working zipper, a hole in one corner, and a strap that is tied together. Seriously. I’ve been looking for a new one for two years, but all the ones I like seem to cost more than a month’s salary.
Stephanie´s lastest post..Happy pictures
You are correct, Jennifer. I am making this all come together because, for reasons I will keep to myself, this is what you are to do right now. The chips will fall where they fall.
God asks that you don’t cause an ulcer over this because there are omnipotent forces at work here and I need to concentrate.
Ah damn it! It showed my picture. That kinda ruins the joke.
Best of Luck!!
How exciting and scary and thrilling and stressful – all rolled up in one! This is the kind of thing that only the Lord can make happen. Only He can pull out all the stops and rush things through like this. Good for you. I hope it is exactly what you and your fam needs and wants.
I must be selfish and ask what will happen to you here?!?!? We can’t do without our favorite playgroupie/bossaholic.
More selfishness. I totally want that bag. No, NEED that bag. MUST. HAVE. THAT. BAG. (delete all other comments. I won’t tell.)
Auburn Gal Always (Keri)´s lastest post..‘Cause I’m certain you’ll be able to help
Delurking to say congrats on the job prospect! Though working comes with a little craziness I think it really does help bring more perspective to the time you spend with your kids. And, OK, I *love* the messenger bag.
What fun bags! I could USE a new back-to-work bag!
What an interesting position you’ve found yourself in! But…when will you find time to blog?!
That is a really nice bag. I am addicted to bags. I don’t have a lap top, but I would buy one just to put in that bag! LOL!
And good luck on the new job!
Beach Mama´s lastest post..Cute Pictures of the Baby
I’m so excited for you! Good luck, and congratulations!
Burgh Baby´s lastest post..Splish Jump Score
Sounds like the stars are in perfect alignment for you. I wonder if they’d let you start work after the holidays? ..you know if you get the job. Most schools will be out through Christmas break anyway. Just a thought.
Good luck! Put my name in the hat for that bag, I need something trendy to haul the laptop to Starbucks so I can look important.
Good luck! I went back-to-work after 9 months of SAHMdom because a job fell in my lap. While sometimes it’s crazy and stressful and all that, I do feel like it was the right decision for me (and my fam!)
Slacker Mama´s lastest post..parenthood is like golf, with (slightly) less cussing
Cute bag! I’m in!
I think you’ve found the Bermuda Triangle — all forces are coming together to pull you back to work!
kj @ Where my boys at?´s lastest post..Cut it off!
I completely relate to your post. My kids are older, and I work from home, but I am looking forward to going back to work someday. I’m just torn, and when I think I’ve decided to go for it, I think of a million reasons not to. It’s hard taking that leap.
Good luck, I’m looking forward to seeing how this works out for you.
Sheri´s lastest post..faith at work
Me, please. I would like that bag. Thanking you in advance.
Shania´s lastest post..Nurse Ratchet can bite my old ass
Sounds like your calling has found you…maybe you can do the super easy condensed version of Christmas this year? Baking is overrated I say!
Good luck! Being a working mom has its perqs.
Jamie´s lastest post..The Headless Bunny Pinata And Other Misadventures In School Projects
Going back to work is hard for a bit. In the end it is worth it for many reasons. As a mom who has got to be the SAHM, part-time work mom and now full-time work mom, it all works out for a reason, whatever that may be.
It’s funny how quickly things can change, isn’t it?
Katie´s lastest post..Reusable Bags anyone?
I find anyone who works with kids to be a special creature. Good luck to you.
patois´s lastest post..Name That Stripper
I work part time in the evenings and my husband works during the day. I call my job my “break” from the kids. I love them dearly but we all need a break. I feel horrible sometimes when I’m at work because I miss the buggers so much. But then I realize my husband is being tortured by them and I’m ok with that. Sometimes.
Trish´s lastest post..Family Movie Night Review
With the economy looking how it is right now, take any extra money you can!
and I neeeed that bag!
steph´s lastest post..This gravy-train has sailed!
Ok, with a long flight from India to California coming up with just me and my girlies, I could definitely use that bag!! I”m stranding my husband w/o a computer because I need to blog… and upload my photos.
Jill´s lastest post..The Weight Has Now Shifted From My Shoulders To My Abdomen
Good luck with everything!
I love working. Makes me a better me, which makes me a better wife and mother.
If you can find a balance that makes you happy, life can be very good.
AndreAnna´s lastest post..To the bone
I ended up going back to work earlier than I intended and don’t regret it at all. I swear. Good for you for listening to the universe and not just flipping her the bird;)
Oh, and that bag is really, really cool.
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Fine line between rewarding kids and bribery…
OOh pick me pick me pick me pick me pick me pick me pick me pick me pick me pi…
*take a breath*
pick me pick me pick me pick me pick me pick…
And, I finally succumbed to pressure… I signed up for SU. I am still having questions. Like, what do I do? Remind me again where is your post where you explain the whole thing?
Texan Mama´s lastest post..Pimp my Yams
Good luck. It does sound like the universe is telling you something….
Teri´s lastest post..5 Years and 1 Week.
I hope it works out for you! It’s exciting. (Cute bag too.)
amy´s lastest post..Monkeys and Bears Need Cages
Ooooh, I love the bag. Please pick me!
Girl, you have a lot of balls up in the air! I wish you luck. Sound like the stars are aligning and this was totally meant to be.
Mama DB´s lastest post..Safe and Well
Wow… I am currently getting my resume ready. I own my own company, but with the economy as it is right now I am harldy making it. It has been a great job with young kids, but my youngest just went into first grade. I guess it is time to grow up!
Bridge´s lastest post..Bath overnight trip… Part Two: Stonehenge
All this work and you’re running contests all month too. You’re a glutton for punishment!
I think the stars are definitely aligned for you right now–and that you can go back part time is excellent. I think it affords moms the best of both worlds.
Must Be Motherhood´s lastest post..Relativity
I would love to win this.
It is a great bag.
It seems like the stars are aligning on the job front.
Good luck.
Amy´s lastest post..Wednesday Winners
Good luck, Jennifer!
Oh, if only you knew how I love me some BAG. The more pockets the better. If I won this giveaway I’m pretty sure my head would KABLOOEY explode all over my mac.
Dory´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday #8
That is great. What kind of hours are you looking at working? I could sure use that bag, looks like we are getting a laptop for Christmas.