INTRO: My FTWM Journey

orchid2007

Hi everyone, I have stalked this board since having my daughter 2 years ago and occasionally posted. I realized I would like to be more active because who doesn't need some support? Here is a little about me and my journey as a FTWM. 

We knew when we decided to TTC that I would go back to work and I was fine with it, still am. When we had our daughter in Feb 2011 I went back to work 8 weeks later. MIL babysat for free and everything was good. My job situation back then was over a 1 hour commute and plenty of overtime and weekends, yes I worked for Satan himself... I won't go into detail but it was awful and drove me into a moderate depression and caused me to have anxiety attacks. I really struggled trying to balance work with how horrible it was, and still have energy to be the Mom and wife that I felt I needed to be. Last May I took 6 weeks of FMLA because of it as recommended by my therapist. I refused to take any medications, I just needed help coping and healing, I had an AMAZING therapist who helped me do just that and coached me as I made important decisions about my life and how to love myself as a Mom and wife. I also used the time to look for a new job. I returned to my horrible job in mid June but remained on IFL which allowed me intermittent days off while I recovered. Thankfully by the end of July I had an amazing job offer only 20 minutes from home and amazing work hours. Since then I have never looked back and things have only looked up for me. I love going to work now and feel that my company gives back to me what I put in. They also value true work life balance. In January this year we enrolled DD in preschool 5 minutes down the street from my work. (MIL had been babysitting up to this point) I love it! She is so close by and I can go see her on my lunch breaks if I want to and the staff is excellent.

I just wanted you all to know my journey. I have learned a lot since gaining some clarity on my life as a working Mom. The most important being that no one is perfect and all WM's have the same struggles. We try to be everything to everyone all the time and it is exhausting at times. But none of us are perfect. Far from it in fact. Yeah, I would love to be a SAHM, maybe when we have another child, but occasionally I find myself wondering what I would do all day. I really think DD thrives on the structure that is made possible by me being a WM, she learns so much in preschool, things I wouldn't think to teach her or do with her. I also like having a reason to put myself together in the mornings, you know, wear makeup, wear something other than yoga pants and a ponytail...

What do you like about being a WM?

LoCarb

I like providing for my fam and being able to buy luxury and material items. I love hearing abt my kids days and what they learned in school. I like my 'me time' during my work out at lunch and I enjoy my own socialization w/ co-workers.

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IdigDirt

Welcome! I like having adult interaction and helping provide for my family. I have a job I enjoy so it makes working much easier.