 |
|
|
|
|
01.09.2006 09:43am - Stay-At-Home Mom
|
Comments (4)
|
|
Lots of people are asking what happened with my job search, so here's an update. As of December 31 I am no longer a Nortel employee for the first time since 1998 (or before, if you count co-op terms), and I am now officially a stay-at-home mom, or SAHM as they say on the internet!
I had a few interviews and lots of back and forth with HR, and I was offered a full-time job. In fact it sounds like I could have had my pick of full-time positions. However, none of the hiring managers were interested in having me part-time. Ted and I did discuss the full-time offer seriously, but I was really not ready to put Peyton in daycare full time. So in the end, I declined it.
If you read my previous entry about my job search, it's probably no surprise to hear that I'm not too upset about the failed job search. I think it's for the best. I wasn't sure if I wanted to work even part-time so now I don't have to worry about that decision.
I am thrilled that I get to stay at home with Peyton longer. I know we are both very lucky to be able to do this. I am also lucky that Ted understands that it is difficult to have no time to yourself (not even a private bathroom break... jeeesh!) so he has agreed that for now we will continue Peyton's 3 mornings a week at daycare. She was just getting used to it before Christmas so it seemed like a good idea to keep it up so she will be used to spending some time away from Mommy. In addition it allows me to get some things done around the house or run some errands that would be difficult while looking after a little one. So right now I really feel like I have the best of both worlds... a stay-at-home mom with some time off (as I think that would be most SAHM's number one "job satisfaction" complaint).
Every time I mention being a stay-at-home mom lots of people tell me not to feel that it's not a "real job" so I'll make sure to state it clearly here: I KNOW it's a "real job". It is a very challenging job with lots of ups and downs, long hours, and terrible pay... but the most important job in the world. :)
|
Posted by
in category
General
|
|
Comments
Posted by
on 01.10.2006 05:16pm CST
That is wonderful Janice!! After I had Eric I worked 50% which was two days a week one week, and then every other Friday. My mom took Eric one day, I put him in a friend's daycare one day a week, and the every other Friday Cameron took him. I LOVED my friend's daycare. She only took 2 kids in and she has a son a year older than Eric and it was awesome. Eric just loved it there. Now that I have Sophie, I assumed I'd just go back to my 50% and I was really looking forwards to getting out of the house.
But I started to look at the cost of two kids in daycare, having to find and pay someone to take kids when I do the huge amount of 'overtime' that I do (p-t interviews, report cards etc.) and then I have a problem where I'm not payed during summers off and daycares always want you to pay to reserve the spots...
SOOO, Cameron and I decided that I'd just go in one day a week (that way my 'overtime' is minimal) and Cameron will take a day off work when I go in and probably work on Saturdays.
I am so relieved to make the decision, but the hardest part is giving up my job share partner I had before I went on mat. leave. We had planned to work 50% again...and I just loved her.
But what I can say, is you have the freedom to stay at home, and get some outside time it's great. I know for me, I just need one day out there in the world. You are right being a SAHM is HARD work...people have no idea until they get there and so when I go into my work outside the home, it's almost like a day off for me!
But there are so many things to consider...sickness is one of them. Right now both my kids have snotty noses. Nothing serious, but you don't want to send them to daycare with a snotty nose, you feel bad if a nanny is coming in when all they want is their mom, and usually you are sleep deprived due to kids not sleeping during illnesses.
I have great benefits with oodles of sick days but when I called in sick to be with my kids, gosh, my principal hated it!!
Anyways, welcome to the SAHM stuff....lots of fun and lots of hard work. I agree you won't regret this time with your daughter!
Posted by
on 01.11.2006 12:17pm CST
Hey Janice, congrats on your decision! Sounds like you have the best of both worlds - some time to yourself and lots of time with Peyton.
Did you get my email? Not sure if I had the correct address.
Happy New Year! And stay in touch.
Posted by
on 01.16.2006 04:20pm CST
Hi Lori! Hi Sue! Thanks for your comments.
Lori, it sounds like you have a great situation too. I mean, it's too bad you are losing your job-share partner but you are lucky that you can be that flexible, to decide you will only work one day, or whatever. That's great! It's great that Cameron's job is flexible too! Although I am not really looking right now (and I actually feel very busy just trying to take care of the house and stuff while Peyton is at daycare) it would still be better if I could make some money while having "time off" from being a SAHM too, so I am keeping my eyes open for some sort of very flexible job without very many hours.
Sue, I did get your email address and it's on my "To Do" list to write back. I promise that I will as soon as I can get a chance! Happy New Year to you too!
Posted by
on 01.16.2006 06:03pm CST
I am really lucky I can go out once a week. I know what you mean about being busy...when I had just one child and was pregnant with Sophie, I couldn't imagine how I was going to add another child into everything. It is definately more busy with 2, but it just didn't seem less busy with one either! So, I really know how busy you are.
It really frustrates me that more isn't done so that moms can go out and work a bit...I really think there should be more part time work. I just looked into a neighbourhood house who needs on-call childcare workers, and I thought great, I could even try that out and take kids with me, but they don't let you take the kids...that really frustrates me! I think it would be 'great' to have me there as I'm a mom and what better person to take care of other people's kids, but someone who is also a mom....but they certainly are not flexible!
It's great you are enjoying the time with Peyton, and great you get some time to yourself too when she goes to daycare a bit. You might find that's just perfect for you right now, and perhaps in the future when Peyton is older, something a bit more flexible to suit moms will pop up. Or perhaps you'll decide to continue to stay at home..who knows what the future will bring!
I'm planning to stick to the one day a week for as long as I can...
Take care! I love your website so I can hear how things are going.
|
|
|
|
That is wonderful Janice!! After I had Eric I worked 50% which was two days a week one week, and then every other Friday. My mom took Eric one day, I put him in a friend's daycare one day a week, and the every other Friday Cameron took him. I LOVED my friend's daycare. She only took 2 kids in and she has a son a year older than Eric and it was awesome. Eric just loved it there. Now that I have Sophie, I assumed I'd just go back to my 50% and I was really looking forwards to getting out of the house.
But I started to look at the cost of two kids in daycare, having to find and pay someone to take kids when I do the huge amount of 'overtime' that I do (p-t interviews, report cards etc.) and then I have a problem where I'm not payed during summers off and daycares always want you to pay to reserve the spots...
SOOO, Cameron and I decided that I'd just go in one day a week (that way my 'overtime' is minimal) and Cameron will take a day off work when I go in and probably work on Saturdays.
I am so relieved to make the decision, but the hardest part is giving up my job share partner I had before I went on mat. leave. We had planned to work 50% again...and I just loved her.
But what I can say, is you have the freedom to stay at home, and get some outside time it's great. I know for me, I just need one day out there in the world. You are right being a SAHM is HARD work...people have no idea until they get there and so when I go into my work outside the home, it's almost like a day off for me!
But there are so many things to consider...sickness is one of them. Right now both my kids have snotty noses. Nothing serious, but you don't want to send them to daycare with a snotty nose, you feel bad if a nanny is coming in when all they want is their mom, and usually you are sleep deprived due to kids not sleeping during illnesses.
I have great benefits with oodles of sick days but when I called in sick to be with my kids, gosh, my principal hated it!!
Anyways, welcome to the SAHM stuff....lots of fun and lots of hard work. I agree you won't regret this time with your daughter!