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October 2011 Moms
Chunstad
member
Dilemma...
Chunstad
member
So, I know that this is a subject that has been talked about and thought about ad nauseum. I apologize in advance.
I'm debating on going back to work part-time. I feel bad that C isn't getting enough time with other kids. The story time at the library is during his nap time, and we don't have extra $ to enroll him in any kind of classes. Whenever DH has discussed me going back to work, I've always teared up at the subject. But it's been in the back of my mind, and I really miss teaching. I could keep my teaching skills sharp, and having benefits again would be nice. I have to buy private insurance, and it is $632 a month for C and I. I would only do this if I could have our friend watch him, who watches some kids at her house. She is extra awesome, and passes this teachers test.
On the flip side, being a teacher, the only part time gig would be am or pm Kindergarten. Also, is there really a 'part time' job when you are teaching? I'd miss C like crazy, and miss out on milestones. We are used to the fact that we don't get a second income. It sure would be hard to be making the extra $ now, and then step away once again when I get pregnant again.
Argh! Sorry, I guess that this is just a rant. If you've stayed here this long, feel free to post your thoughts. An extra gold star to you if you are a teacher, too.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Dilemma...
I'm not a teacher but am I am a working mom and I want to set your mind at ease about missing milestones. That was one of my big concerns, too.
I was still there to see DD learn to walk, learn to talk, eat solid foods and wave bye bye. You will be, too. Maybe DCP was polite enough not to tell me if it seemed like I was missing a first. Either way, it was amazing for me to see things with my eyes the first time. You won't miss out on DS's development. You'll always be his mama.
Burned by the Bear
I think this was brought up in the past but do you think that maybe you could do other teaching activities such as tutoring? This may give you the extra $$ plus more flexibility with DS. It would also allow you to choose how much or little you want to work especially if you do conceive in the near future.
I do sometimes hate having DS in daycare all day especially when he is sick but he really seems to love it too. Two of the other babies there are his best buddies and they are always so happy to see one another. We have missed a couple of milestones but only by a couple of hours. We still get to see him perfect his skills! I guess what I am saying is that it was really hard at first but now it is a normal part of our day and it isn't bad at all really.
I hope that you will be able to do whatever works out best for you and your family. I wish you the very best!
Oooh, I claim the extra gold star! But I'm a substitute teacher, so slightly different situation. Any chance you could do that? The beauty of it is that it really is part time, because you don't have any of the take-home work that teachers usually add on to their days. And you could work things out with that awesome friend so that you only sub a couple of times a week and she watches him on those days.
The tutoring is also an idea. I'm torn on it, though. If you use a company, they charge parents a TON and pay you crap usually. If you don't use a company, you have to find students yourself and don't have access to the company's resources. Plus tutoring is an after school and weekend gig, so it cuts into whole family time when DH isn't working.
I second Crystal's suggestion of finding a mommy group for C to interact with other kids. I actually just recently read a study about how we place way too much importance on socialization for young kids, that they don't need it nearly as much as we think they do. But that's besides the point.
As for changes in routine/income, is C adaptable? The way I see it, changes in the routine are constant, whether you go back to work now, have another baby soon, he changes his schedule, etc. And instead of looking at the income as you'll have a hard time getting used to it when you stop again, I would budget things so that you'll have more security when you have the next kid and stop working again. Like, use part of your pay to improve your lifestyle now but put the rest in a savings account or whatever for use when the next LO comes on the scene.
BFP #1: July 12, 2010 Natural M/C: July 26, 2010
BFP #2: January 30 ,2011 Born: September 29, 2011
BFP #3: January 5, 2013 Born: August 25, 2013
Thanks so much for the feedback. I was probably the one who brought this up a while ago. Subbing is a good suggestion, however, you only make $132 a day. That really wouldn't be feesible to pay for daycare and my benefits. I believe that certified staff (office staff, para's, etc.) get paid around $10 an hour, which wouldn't work either. I think that my per diem is quite a bit more than that. It actually isn't a secret, it's a matter of public record what teachers make. I've done part time K before, and it's fun, but quite a bit of work. I've never checked into online school, but my certification is only K-8, so that wouldn't work for high school. I could do tutoring, but my main contacts are in the school that I taught at last, which is 30 minutes away.
It sounds to me that I'm trying to make excuses on why I don't want to work. I'm being a pain in the ass wasting your time.
This 100%. I miss C like crazy when she is gone, but I know that she loves her daycare and I know she is in good, caring hands and that makes it easier for me.