What's your favorite thing about working? Motivate me!

redheadscu

Hi Working Moms! Sorry to intro this way, but I need to get some perspective!

I'm on my last week of mat leave. Although I really didn't think I would get this way (I enjoy my job, make a lot of money, trust my mom and MIL as caregivers), I'm having a heck of a time the past couple days coming to grips with leaving DS all day and going back to work!

In your opinion, what's the best part about working? Benefits to your LO, favorite part of your job; give me anything positive! TIA!

esperanza123

Having adult conversations! Not wearing tanks and yoga pants all day long. Having more than 5 mins to eat lunch. DD loves her teacher and her "classmates." She smiles and gets excited when she sees them.

AZ123

My favorite thing is change of scenery. ML was a nice break from work but felt like Groundhog Day doing the same thing over and over again. Now, I get to do fun things with the kids on the weekend but then during the week there's a lot of variety.

Netty_3

Adult interaction and keeping my mind active with complex things.

Bella427

Having something of my own.  Having something I know I'm good at when it feels like I'm making up this parenting thing as I go.  Getting dressed up a bit for the day.  Providing great health insurance for my family.  Not feeling guilty for purchases I make because I contribute financially to the household.  Not having to rely on others to support me.  Setting a good example for my daughter.  Getting some down time so that I really cherish all of my time with my kids and am not burnt out. 

Kie310

Not being stuck at home all day. I know what I'm like after a weekend just me and him. I couldn't do that full time.

I love making money. Definitely don't do that at home!

I know this sounds weird, but I love to miss my son. At 5pm when I'm walking out the door the best feeling is knowing that in 15-20 minutes I'm going to see him and spend 3 hours with him eating and playing until bedtime. That feeling of him wrapping his arms around my head and squeezing and telling me, "missed mommy today"... makes my heart melt every time.

I'm the benefits holder in our house. If I wasn't working we could go under insurance with my husbands work, but my employer pays all costs with my job... so having to pay for insurance for a family of 3 (soon to be 4!) would suck.

I enjoy my co-workers and my job most days. Do I *love* it? No. But It's a good job & I would be silly to give it up.

 

jlaOK

I like being able to do my job and do it well. I get to be creative and solve hard problems. I also learn something new almost every day.

brewcitybride

I'm a list maker, so I'll make a list:

1. Buying cute work outfits. I love my sweats, but it does a girl good to do her hair, makeup and put on a cute pencil skirt and top!

2. Starbucks. When I stayed at home with my first DD three years ago, I felt bad buying Starbucks. Because it seemed like an added expense I should cut out. Now? I have NO shame in buying myself my latte every day if I so choose.

3. Work friends. Missed 'em!

4. Going out to lunch. With adults. Sitting at a table in silence if I want. Sitting outside in a park alone. Not getting snacks and wiping boogers ALL DAY.

5. I like my work. It's meaningful and rewarding. I get to help other people. It's important to me.

6. Coming home on Fridays and enjoying the weekend. When I was a SAHM, I didn't have that sense of, thank god it's Friday.

7. Oh, and the money. Notice that that is last? I'm not very into money, other than I want to have enough to pay my bills and have a little fun after that. If my family is happy, I am happy.

 

Nechie122

I like working more than I liked staying home. I derive satisfaction from my job. I don't want to opt-out of the workforce because I believe I have a duty to myself and my DD to have a back-up plan in case anything happens to DH or his career. Mostly, I hope I'm showing that my daughter that women can do great things, and that I inspire her to pursue her passions.

redheadscu

That was awesome! I am already feeling more like I can do this! Thanks, ladies!

ksyknelvr73

Money and being able to live comfortably, if not more than comfortably. DS goes to daycare and I feel like he learns SO much there...and he loves the time spent there interacting. Getting to eat breakfast and lunch in peace and quiet if I want - getting to use the bathroom in peace and quiet : ) Actually having a reason to put on makeup, fix my hair, and dress nicely each day. Having adult conversations!

Kristi1971

I have twin baby girls (5 months) and my husband works out of state.  He's gone every Sunday and returns every Friday.  I get him one whole day a week.  I go to work to get some rest.  I also enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.  I don't go to work to do some half-job.  I go to do well at my job.  I love to have a chance to talk to adults.  Hmmm..

I know how you feel, though.  It hurt me so to have to go back to work. 

 

preggersin2011

You know that feeling when you are about ready to throw your LO down a flight of stairs or out a window, and right now you can only walk into another room but still hear them cry? Ya...... I love dropping LO off at school for 9.5 hours and not having to deal with tantrums, fussiness, blah blah blah allll day. I pick her up & she is thrilled to see me. We play and snuggle at night and I love it. Some days are hard but come Sunday afternoon I'm pooped and ready to drop her off in school. 

rodiesmum

paycheck, health insurance, lunchtime with friends plus time to do errands of course, practising the skills that you learned in school and your job before you got married

CrazyToast

My favorite things about work:

-getting ready for work without LO interruption (I leave before she wakes up)

-eating 2 meals without LO interruption

-talking to adults

-being able to use a computer without interruption

-interacting with my students and laughing with them

RoxyLynn

Some of my work was just used as part of a successful grant application for providing increased disability services.  And that's really cool.

A while ago I heard my friend's daughter (age 5 at the time) say that "Daddies make money and Mommies go shopping."  !!!!!!

 

wychets

Adult conversations, change of scene, paycheck, and the feeling of excitement seeing DD after working all day.

Imanurse03

Being able to have adult conversations and feeling like I am a part of a great team. DS's daycare teachers love him and it's great to see him loved on by others!

NicoleWI

I could come up with lots of more "important" things about working, but I'm pretty burnt out and want to quit. So, while I can rationally understand and value my benefits, salary, opportunities to attend great events, meeting people, etc. that's not so motivating for me. Really, right now this is what I love (the non-work parts of work):

--morning routine of checking online news and mommy blogs

--time to organize personal life things--write grocery lists, deal with insurance issues, call businesses, look for activities for DD, etc.

--going out to lunch with friends! I use work day lunches as catch-up time with a lot of friends who live 1/2 hour or so from me, and also have busy schedules.