Kids come first - Capiche?

Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.

Ok, let me bring you up to speed. I’m a mother of two very awesome children, my husband works away most of the time to support this family. I had an awesome career, studied part-time and everything seemed fine, yet below the surface everything was falling apart. My health deteriorated, my kids turned into monsters, my boss became the Nazgul reincarnated and my office felt like Mordor.

My health deteriorated, my kids turned into monsters, my boss became the Nazgul reincarnated and my office felt like Mordor.

So exactly one year ago, my husband made the call, and I resigned. I’ll admit that I resented him for this at first, but as I had time to detox my soul, my resentment turned to appreciation, I finally had time to take care of myself emotionally. (Not sure that I’m same yet, but baby steps.)

One year later, I said it; I missed working, as being a stay-at-home-mom is not glamorous at all! Its fun in the afternoons when you can be there for the kids with their extra-mural activities, its awesome to help your children with their homework and see them learn, but believe me, the loneliest times of my day...was the ride home in the mornings after dropping the Bee and her brother at school.

I understand that to some this sounds ridiculous, but you must remember that no job, means no salary, and this means cutting back on luxuries such as coffee shop hopping, personal trainers and gyms, and visits to exotic markets and malls.

My car could actually fit into the garage for the first time in years, and the study was sorted out and colour coded. Boredom got the best of me, and hence the decision to try the career thing again, or at least half a career, as we agreed that I could work in the mornings only, and still be there for my kids in the afternoon.

Sounds too good to be true? You got that right!

Sounds great hey? Actually not, its very difficult when your co-workers don’t have kids, or are fortunate enough to have a spouse who is around 24/7 to help with the kids. Try to excuse yourself in the middle of a very important meeting, because your kids are waiting at school. Nope, it sucks.

Try to explain to a co-worker that meetings have to please be arranged in the mornings, as you have to leave at 14:00 because ... Yes, I have to get to my kids... it doesn’t work. So basically, anybody with good common sense will soon realise that this is humiliating and frustrating, and so the choice was given ... full day or nothing.

Did I hesitate to decline the full day offer? Not for a second, because even though I love working, and miss wearing corporate outfits and pretty shoes, my kids will always come first. Capiche?

#beeandme #mom #onlyamomunderstands #bloggermom