Happy New Year dear friends... I'm excited for this coming year, are you? AMK is becoming more and more interactive everyday, ESK is heading to real pre-school next fall, and we have several fun trips and family & friends visiting in the next year. Looking forward to it all.
But in the meantime... some things I've been thinking about:
Family:
This last trip back East was tiring but fun and rewarding. For the first time, I feel like SK and I got the hang of shuttling back and forth between two grandparents' homes. It wasn't easy to pack and repack every two days. But at least we feel like we got our fill of family and spent quality time with everyone. We are lucky that they only live 20 minutes apart.
I am glad to be back in Portland, but I was truly sad to say good-bye to everyone. This time more than most. I'm not sure why. Possibly because I had such a good time with everyone? And realizing that now that we are so far away and everyone is scattered, we only get to do this once or twice a year.
Prioritizing:
Somehow, I feel as if I can't keep up with all the little obligations I've committed to. Birthday parties, proofreading for a friend, charity organizations, playdates/groups. Today, I need to write them all down and prioritize. Pre-kids, I did this all in my head, but of course now, it's all a jumble.
Career:
And lately, my career worries have been coming up again. I'm reminded of my wasted education every time I go back East. First, my parents, particularly my dad, always brings up the topics. Secondly, I realize that when I see my old friends (that are with or without kids), conversation always centers around kids and family and that I have very little to contribute to other conversations. Am I just being paranoid? Does that ever happen to any of you moms out there? I do try to keep current by reading newspapers and magazines, but somehow the things I read, don't come up in conversation. Probably because I'm naturally drawn to all things family-oriented! Ha!
Anyway, at quiet moments in the day, I am constantly thinking about what I could be doing. A lot of moms start their own small businesses (mompreneurs), but I don't think I'm really built for that. I'd like to go back to reporting, but am weary of the long hours, crazy deadlines and office politics. Not to mention crappy pay. Pay is part of the equation of course. If I'm going to leave my kids in daycare or with a nanny, I'd like to make enough money to cover at least the childcare costs. And job satisfaction has to be enough to make it worth my while. Otherwise, I'd rather stay at home with my lovely girls.
Anyone have any career ideas for this mama?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Happy new year to you! I'm so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time with family. It may be because all the girls are getting older and much more interactive. I'm sure it's a riot to watch them play together... I feel a tinge of guilt too whenever we see N enjoying his cousins, but tell myself that the few times that they spend together are all the more sweet because they don't see eone another that much. i know, not much of a consolation.
As for your career aspirations... How about writing for a community newspaper on some kind of a volunteer basis? Not sure, but thought maybe it would be less stressful.
I worry too. I haven't practiced in over three years now. I feel like I need to find a whole new career once the kids are off to school and I'm ready to hit the workforce... But yes, all those years of work and money, money that I am STILL paying back... *sigh* But it is definitely a privilege to have an opportunity to choose.
Keep us updated!
Post a Comment