Back to work?

-

You'll be relieved to know that I ran out of puff on my previous topic.  So onto new things (I'm easily distracted!).

I spent four days last week visiting libraries around Sydney CBD as part of my library Masters.  I decided after spending a day at Sydney Uni library that I would be quite happy to get a job there.

For me personally, it highlighted some of the challenges of me, the Mum, not being around to co-ordinate the organisation that is 'Family Kemp'.  Rowan did a fantastic job keeping the show on the road, working at home around all the drop-offs and pick-ups.  

I found it really energising and stimulating being out of the house and doing something totally different to normal.  I thought I would be more tired.  But not having to deal with the constancy of managing small people who are often difficult or grumpy was a lovely relief.  I realised that in a normal day I have to internalise lots of anger in order to remain patient and calm on the exterior. (I find that quite draining).  

I found the idea of working part-time quite appealing after this week.  I've been at home for over 11 years now and have no regrets about staying at home.   I'm just struggling with the tension between what I'd like to do and what is best for our family.  Is it selfish for me to want to something different when I know that it is going to mean some big adjustments for my family?  

Comments

Jo said…
I don't think it is selfish to want something for yourself, although that dreaded 'mother guilt' will tell you it is.
Working part time may be good for your family. They may have to adjust, but that is not a bad thing sometimes. Being cared for by someone other than Mum can actually be quite fun for them, a fresh face, somebody with new energy.

You could always try it and if things don't work out, it's not the end of the world.
May 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
hardygreenwood said…
I suppose it comes down to how it will effect family life: pros and cons and all that. I'm in the very same boat and it's a hard balance at first, but we've worked it out and it's good.
May 27, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Confessions of an earl grey addict

-
Image
I have to confess in this public forum that I'm addicted to earl grey tea. I used to like the expensive stuff (Twinings) but because I drink so much of it, over the years I've had to buy the home brand version because I couldn't afford to sustain my habit. On Monday mornings I'd go to playgroup and have a cup of tea.  But one wasn't enough.  I'd have to go back for another. I'd visit a friend and enjoy the first cuppa.  But start to wonder if it too rude to ask for another, an hour into our visit. I don't have milk or sugar with it.  That just wrecks the purity of the experience.  I would branch out sometimes and enjoy Lady Grey or French Earl Grey for a treat.  But for everyday purposes my friend was the 'Earl'. But two weeks ago I went cold turkey.  I just decided that it was time to break the habit.  I have entered the world of herbal teas with all its strange flavours.  Peppermint (toothpaste dissolved in hot water).  Camom...
Read more

Going grey at 40

-
Image
I have written about this before , but after broaching the subject on facebook a few weeks ago I've been thinking a lot about the whole colouring your hair deal.  On facebook I asked when having natural coloured hair was going to become trendy like other old fashioned things like quilting and growing your veges?  I am quite tired of how time consuming colouring my hair is and how expensive it is. A very interesting conversation resulted with a huge variety of opinions.  Many of the women said they would be going natural, but of course they aren't gray now (and are my age) so I don't think that really counts.  Until you ACTUALLY start going seriously gray/white you can't see how it impacts on the way you look.  I think it is different to be almost white (like myself) at age 40 and agreeing in principle to going natural when it happens to you in the future (when you will be a lot older than I am now!). Just quietly, I'll believe it when I see it (let me thr...
Read more

Why I won't home school (if I don't have to)

-
Image
Occasionally I get asked what I think about home schooling.  Let me say from the outset that I'm not against it at all.  I was actually homeschooled for Year 3 because I wasn't coping with the local Indian school and I wasn't old enough for boarding school.  I have lots of friends who do it - some out of necessity (eg. missionary friends in remote places with no options) or out of choice (because their child doesn't cope with the mainstream school system).   So I'm fine with the whole concept. I have great admiration for families that choose to provide that education for their kids.  It is hard work and a significant drain on time and emotional energy (usually for the mum).  I also think that it can be a great gift for children who would otherwise get lost in a conventional educational institution. But why wouldn't I do it?  Partly because I did homeschooling myself and found it quite lonely.  I missed the social interaction of school a...
Read more