working moms: How do you feel about your job?

livvielo · February 2011

Do you love what you do, have a passion for it? Is it your life's work?

I ask b/c yesterday I took something personally at work (someone changed an edit I made on a story), and then thought about it and realized that I'm here filling a role, so I shouldn't necessarily feel upset personally about work stuff (does that make sense?). Then I was like, wait, is that how I should feel about my job--that I'm here to do a job function, or should I feel passion and excitement every day?

Just wondering how others look at things. Big Smile

racampbell1 · February 2011

Great question. To be honest, most of the time I look at my job as a means to an end. Its kinda sad really, I spent so many years in school to do what I do (I'm a lawyer) and I don't "love" it. Some days I don't even like it! Other days when things are clicking and I feel like a competent, intelligent professional, its not so bad. I'm trying to think of other things I could transition to while still using my degree. Ideally I will be doing something I like a whole lot better and working part time in the next 5 years. That's my goal anyway. I like the "grown up" time that work gives me and the ability to go to the bathroom when I want, eat a hot lunch, etc. But I miss DD so, so much during the day. For me I want to work to live, not live to work, kwim? Now I'm rambling and I'm not sure I even answered your question!

YaraC · February 2011

I wish I felt passion for my job. It would be so nice to actually enjoy coming to work or at least not hate it. I don't care at all about the subject matter that I work with. So it is really hard for me to get into my work. I really miss working with something I at least find interesting. Maybe someday I'll have time to look for something new.

The crazy thing is that since I had Caroline, I actually do better at work as far as voicing ideas, etc. I no longer worry about what they think of me (since the one who really matters is at home) so I say whatever comes to mind.

Married2003 · February 2011

Lets just say its a job but not a career. If it wasn't for the good pay, great benefits, and excellent vacation (six week/year) I would be working lot closer to home.

ShannonLK · February 2011

Nope, no passion. I'm here to draw a paycheck and really that's it. I don't hate my job, but I'm not totally in love with it either. Honestly, I want to be a SAHM. That's not in the cards right now so I'm just doing what I need to do.

SFAug07 · February 2011

I really enjoy my work and feel I have a career in an important area. I like going to work and being successful at work. For me, it really balances my life at home. As much as I like spending time with Sarah, I can't imagine being at home full time. I would miss the adult interaction and the stimulation at work.

NewMrs07 · February 2011

I only work part-time so I'm not as invested in my job as someone working FT. That said, I do like my job so far (graphic design) and do my best when I'm there. I assist another designer and sometimes she "fixes" my designs, nothing major, but she does tweak them to suit her style. Now, in the old days this would have bothered me a lot, but now, since I'm only there 15 hrs a week, it doesn't bother me at all. I feel like I'm working to help our finances and get better at what I do. I try to ignore the office drama and just do my best and hope that the job will last.

I wouldn't want to work too many more hrs at this point, though, I am so drained by the time I come home that I can't imagine working 40+ hrs a week. My hat's off to those who do. I can barely manage to keep the house together, how on earth do single FT working moms do it?

M.Amy · February 2011

Before the baby I had a passion for work but did not like my job. I was very career driven and had expectations to be made a VP. After getting pregnant (and being so sick from stress) I realized that my family was more important than spending 13 hours a day working and that my current company was taking advantage of my willingness to work insane hours.

With my new job I don't have major career aspirations. I just want people to think I do a good job and respect my work. I like working in general and I appreciate my family more after spending 8 hours away from them.

But is working a passion? No.

NewMrs07 · February 2011

And to answer your question about passion: when I worked in marketing the money was good but I did not feel passion at all. I do however, feel passion for graphic design. My only regret is I don't have enough time to completely devote myself to it and learn all the things I need to learn to keep up with new software, etc. But honestly it's OK. I'd much rather spend time with Adrian, he is of course my true passion in life

vanverth · February 2011

I am very passionate about my job, my career, my profession (psychologist/drug and alcohol counselor). I love helping people and mentoring my employees/supervisees into becoming better professionals. The policies and proceedures of my work get my down a great deal of the time. At the money is crappy. But the leave time is great, 14+ hours of vacation leave and 9+ hours of sick leave per month. I took off 14 weeks of FMLA and still had 900+ hours of sick leave when I came back to work.

I did have guilt because I was sick yesterday and sent Michael to daycare anyway. Thank goodness I did because he did not nap much yesterday and I would have died.

ateytelb · February 2011

I like my job but don't feel especially passionate about it. I have been there for 8 years, and I like the pay and the benefits. I am still on maternity, but going back to work in two weeks, I have mixed feelings about going back since I already got used to being at home with my LO's. Last time, when Jason was a baby, I also had mixed feelings, but things got under control quickly and I was glad I went back. This time I am hoping for the same thing. I can always quit if I am absolutely miserable (the houses are payed for and we can get by without my income).

superaunt · February 2011

no passion for my job.

Puckchick07 · February 2011

I like my job. I work part-time (20 hours per week) as a librarian. It's very good pay for a part-time position and the hours work well with my DH or Mom so Fiona gets to be home.

I'm thankful for my job, as I like having the time away to talk books and have adult conversation. I have one 8 hour shift every week - the rest are 4 hours - that day is the hardest for me to be away from Fiona that long, but I don't think I could be a stay-at-home mom.

itsmexine · February 2011

I really enjoy my job but would not say it is my passion. Sure I get passionate over certain issues that come up because I work on something that may have a profound affect on someones future. But overall this is not my passion. I still don't know what I really want to do when I grow up....

peeper72 · February 2011

Wow...where to begin?

I do love my career and feel that I make a positive difference for people and their pets. As a lover of learning, it is very satisfying to see my medicine evolve and improve over time. However, I don't have as much spare time to dedicate to reading trade journals as I might like, which is one of my most important reasons why I stay in my current job. I work with 12 other doctors, two of whom are internists, so passively learn a lot.

I have so much invested in veterinary medicine that I can't imagine doing all that work and then not working. I want Ada to see her mom doing something that makes life better for people and their animal companions. Doing shelter work and really being an active advocate for these animals feels very rewarding.

In terms of my job? I am much, much happier now than I was last year as upper mangement has changed drastically. I don't always feel very appreciated, lack the kind of control I would prefer to have, and the days are very long, sometimes very emotional, and stressful/hectic from our large case load here. I take my work home with me a lot. Ideally, in Ada's younger years I would like to be away from her for fewer hours in the week. I think that doing this job just 2 or 3 days a week would be a healthier balance for me but that isn't possible at this time.

carladillon · February 2011

I've been at my job for going on 18 years. It tends to get very routine at times, but I know my job better than anyone and have earned the respect of my bosses, peers and other employees. I feel valued and appreciated and have great benefits and tremendous flexibility. Passionate? I actually went to school for nursing and have my RN license - I felt very passionate about it when I started school. But, I think there is a certain price you pay for that kind of passion. I.e. Long hours, stress, taking work home, etc

mtnrider · February 2011

Yes but it's my own business. If I worked for someone else, then I would view it as a job only, like I did when I worked in the corporate world.

ridesbuttons · February 2011

DH and I own a business and we both work there. It is a funny position to be in. In some ways, it is great, but in other ways it is really tough. For instance, neither one of us can change jobs. We do not have the option of quitting and starting somewhere new.

But, the business has served us very well financially, so I am content with that.

Passion and excitement? No. Satisfaction? Usually.

Pesky · February 2011

I like it but don't love it. I'm a lawyer too but do get a sense of satisfaction out of my work, although I also find it sometimes frustrating and annoying. Primarily I see it as a means to an end. Like a fellow lawyer, now a general counsel at a company, once said "my job exists to fund nice vacations and good wine." I honestly prefer to be able to take the good parts of my job (the challenge, the satisfaction) and leave the bad without taking anything personally. It makes it far easier to live with.

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