As a parent who has chosen the “stay at home” role since my oldest was born 5 years ago (teacher salary vs childcare costs conundrum, but also I wanted to at least try it) I have looked on in complete awe at families with 2 full time working parents. It’s a LOT to juggle! I’m glad you have some space to figure out what’s going to work best for you. The US could definitely learn a lot from some other countries about how to better support working parents.
This may be a more sizable post for another day but I was basically stay-at-home parent for a few weeks this summer. I thought I knew what I was in for; I take care of the kids all the time! False!!! It was such a grind being in charge of everyone’s meals, transportation, social battery, energy, and health and wellbeing …! Having done both, I think working is easier!
I left my job a few months after my maternity leave ended. Some days I really really miss it and some days I can't imagine ever going back to a job where someone else is my boss. Some days I feel really insecure about not having a job and the growing gap in my resume and the skills I'm not using or exercising and industry changes I'm not learning about. Other days I'm thankful that I have the ability to take this time off and really think about what I want to do when I start working again and where I want to do it.
I hope you find your way down the path you want to be on.
Thanks for sharing the ambivalence you feel. It’s definitely a downer for me realizing that I’m not “fixed” now that I’m out of this situation. Of course I can see now it was naive of me to assume that but a girl can dream
I think a lot of us are burnt out right now and we’re slaves to the job that has too much power over our lives to set the tones. I’m glad sometimes you’re ok, sometimes you’re not ok. You’re doing great.
I know this is a both/and (exciting and a bit stressful!), but I’m so excited for you. Here’s to the next chapter, whatever it may be!
You're doing great, Cate!
As a parent who has chosen the “stay at home” role since my oldest was born 5 years ago (teacher salary vs childcare costs conundrum, but also I wanted to at least try it) I have looked on in complete awe at families with 2 full time working parents. It’s a LOT to juggle! I’m glad you have some space to figure out what’s going to work best for you. The US could definitely learn a lot from some other countries about how to better support working parents.
This may be a more sizable post for another day but I was basically stay-at-home parent for a few weeks this summer. I thought I knew what I was in for; I take care of the kids all the time! False!!! It was such a grind being in charge of everyone’s meals, transportation, social battery, energy, and health and wellbeing …! Having done both, I think working is easier!
I left my job a few months after my maternity leave ended. Some days I really really miss it and some days I can't imagine ever going back to a job where someone else is my boss. Some days I feel really insecure about not having a job and the growing gap in my resume and the skills I'm not using or exercising and industry changes I'm not learning about. Other days I'm thankful that I have the ability to take this time off and really think about what I want to do when I start working again and where I want to do it.
I hope you find your way down the path you want to be on.
Thanks for sharing the ambivalence you feel. It’s definitely a downer for me realizing that I’m not “fixed” now that I’m out of this situation. Of course I can see now it was naive of me to assume that but a girl can dream
I think a lot of us are burnt out right now and we’re slaves to the job that has too much power over our lives to set the tones. I’m glad sometimes you’re ok, sometimes you’re not ok. You’re doing great.
Totally—I certainly haven’t met anyone who has figured it all out. There are some folks who have more personal alignment so maybe that’s attainable