Wednesday 19 March 2014

Returning to Work { The Paid Kind }







For the last three years, I have been lucky to be able to call myself a stay at home Mum. It has been the hardest, most exhausting, and rewarding job that I've ever had the pleasure of calling mine. At times pre-children, I had considered some of my previous bosses to be a little bit on the unreasonable and difficult side of things, but these two daughters of mine have out-matched, out-bossed and surpassed any dentist that I've ever had the displeasure at times of working with (my "real" profession is that of a dental hygienist).

Other bosses may have demanded and asked me to work faster, to clean more peoples teeth in my day, encourage patients to buy this, suggest that they may need this filling replaced. But none have ever accompanied me on my every toilet trip, sat on my lap every time I tried to eat my breakfast or lunch, ate my food right of my plate, or laid on the floor and kicked and screamed at me when they found out they couldn't have their own way. They didn't follow me around all day, assisting and micro managing me in everything that I did. They haven't woken me in the night and kept me awake for hours on end, or consistently interrupted and needed something every time I try to have a conversation with somebody else. They haven't tried to snatch my phone out of my hand mid-sentence because they want to talk to Grandma, leaving me having to walk around aimlessly (whilst talking) so that my phone is out of their reach. And no dentist has ever kept me so busy that every cup of coffee I tried to drink was lukewarm by the time I actually had the chance to sit down and enjoy it. If they had, I would have quit. One finger style.

Yes, these two little angels of mine. Sweet as they can be and as delightful as they are for most of the day, have worked me harder than anybody else has ever done previously.

I don't need a job, I already have one. And it is more than full-time. But it doesn't pay so well. And sometimes, a little break from this job, might not be such a bad thing for me. Because God knows it's hard to get a break at home. If Mum's in the house, she is always needed for something. Regardless of where I try to hide, or how boring I try to make myself seem.

So I'm returning to casual work, to have a break from what I now consider to be my "real" job, being a Mum. The fact that it pays, is an added bonus. And blissfully, it's not of the dental kind. I don't think I'm quite ready, nor have the head space for that over-scheduled, busy world just yet.

A stroke of good timing has landed me a casual job at our local visitors centre/cafe/gift shop. A chance to meet some of the relaxed holidaying folk who visit and pass through our town. A real departure from my dental background, but one I'm looking forward to. Now that I'm a Mum, I no longer feel as career orientated as I used to, and still dream (like so many of us do) of a job that I could do from home during school hours.

In the meantime while I'm still working on that dream, I'll happily clean, make scones, serve coffee and chat to grey nomads. All the while enjoying the chance to enjoy uninterrupted adult conversations, and hopefully a little peace and quiet from toddler banter. It doesn't read like work to me at all really.

Have you returned back to paid work?
Found it's a nice break away from home? 
Or just added to the chaos?

24 comments:

  1. I hope that you love your new job and that you love the time that it will give you away from your little bosses!! I hope your new employers don't follow you to the bathroom, eat your food and snatch the phone off you either!! Best wishes for it going really well. xx

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    1. I hope my new boss doesn't do all of those things!!! She seems very reasonable and friendly, so I have a feeling I should be ok! Thanks Amy x

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  2. Thank you for writing this post, whilst I don't have children and probably won't for a good few years, I've always wondered what it's actually like balancing children and work. I always assumed I'd be a stay at home mum for the first few years but always knew that these assumptions were potentially naive as I honestly have no idea what the future has in store for me. I always knew it was hard work being a parent (my dad still reckons my mum had 5 years "off" work which he is now taking as an excuse to sit on his arse and do nothing at all now that he's retired) but I never really thought that going back to work would seem like the holiday. Time to enjoy my life now and get myself ready for the stamina test that will come one day! xxx
    La Lingua : Food, Life, Love, Travel, Friends, Italy

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    1. Yes Lucy, make sure you do all of those things that are in your blog title and make the most of it!!! x

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  3. Well then, we are destine to meet now. I love tourist office people. I may not be a 'grey' nomad, but I'm still good for a chat! Just quietly, I'm also quite good at drinking coffee and eating scones.
    Congratulations on your new role - it sounds lovely. :)

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    1. I did think of you actually Heike, would be great to run into you on your travels x

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  4. That sounds like a perfect new job and getaway from the kids :) I'm glad it is going so well for you!

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    1. Thanks Renee, I've only worked the one shift but really enjoyed myself x

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  5. This sounds like the best of both worlds for you, Carla. I think just about every mum benefits from some grown-up time at some point during the week! How lovely that you've found something that will fit with what you want to to so well. Have a cuppa with the grannies for me! x

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  6. For me the return to work was needed. Maybe that is why I feel it has added to the chaos ten fold. Exhaustion is a common feeling since I have returned to work.

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    1. I can only imagine, it's exhausting enough looking after children. Hope you're managing to find a little R & R xx

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  7. The youngest of my 4 girls just started school this year, so I am actively looking for a part time job..I'm not sure if I want to work outside the home, I just think of everything that I will have to do when I get home!!! great post :)

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    1. I would feel the same way, caring and feeding a household is a full-time job in itself. I hope it takes a little while for the right kind of job to turn up for you!!! x

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  8. I've been a stay-at-home mom for a year and a half now and love it, though I totally agree with you that it is SO exhausting! Cold breakfast - yes. Tea that I forgot I even made - yes. I don't even try to make a serious phone call when she is awake. However, I have no desire (yet) to leave her with someone else and go to work, even fun work. Writing a blog is enough "work" for me and I can do it in my pajamas! :)

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  9. Good for you Carla. I think we all need a little something for us. Sounds like you landed a great job. I left the corporate world last February after 15 years in HR. As you know I have a passion for health and fitness and I am a qualified personal trainer. After my 3rd bub is born, I hope to start my own little business doing PT work with busy parents. x

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    1. Love that you've followed your dream Anita. It's obviously your passion and I'm sure you'll be a success x

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  10. I think the job you have found sounds perfect. Good for you. I would avoid going back to 'professional' work if you can until they are older- my experience is you just come home exhausted and don't have the energy you want to have for the little people.

    I have dreams of a similar part time slow paced job. I'm stuck between high stress work and coming home to overtired toddler that has been in child care too many hours. It would be fine if he were there a couple of days a week and just a short day, but three long days in childcare = overtired child. I'm praying for those circumstances to change. You never know.

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    1. I can only imagine your pain, it must be a tight juggle to try and maintain. I totally relate about the energy needed for little people, it feels that way even after a busy day with my two out and about. I don't have any desire to return to professional work if i can help it, my job does not have child friendly hours, it would be a very long day there for them xx

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  11. I can totally imagine you being the friendly face and helpful source for travelers and what a gorgeous vibes to soak up before returning home to your other job. i agree being a stay at home mum is hard work. My hubby did it wit our younger two whilst I went back to work and I was constantly in awe of him xx

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  12. i'm lookign forward to NOT being in paid work, but i have to wait for retirement and that is a loooooon way away :-( i like my job, but i like my life better.
    i hope your job in the cafe is rewarding and stimulating for you carla!

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  13. I have worked part time (two days) since my kids were 6 and 8 months respectively ( my daughter delayed my return to work as she refused to drink anything but breast milk- luckily I have a tolerant boss). I LOVE working and it has frankly kept me sane through some hard times with my son particularly when he was a toddler. However, just be mindful on the flip side that there is still the same amount of work at home to cram into less time. I have struggled with this and have gradually lowered my standards of acceptable mess in order to cope! Enjoy every uniterrupted cup of tea and adult conversation! The best bit is i also think you love your kids just that bit more when you have had a few hours away from them. mel x

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  14. That sounds so lovely, I am really happy for you. I am a stay at home mum, but now my two are at school my thoughts are returning to work but it's very hard to find work with hours that fit around school. I wish you lots of luck! x

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