I have many things on my mind lately but am having trouble making the time to blog.
This "full time work outside the home" thing (because heaven knows staying home with the littles all day IS full time+ work with no lunch or bathroom break)is not coming naturally to me. I feel overwhelmed. I feel that my priorities aren't in the right place. And with the cost of the daycare we chose, I am not actually seeing a greater take home pay check. Which makes me sad. Did I make the wrong choice? The salary is GOOD. BUT- I have to pay 7.5% to a retirement plan because I am technically a state employee...then there is the daycare cost.
I am probably sharing too much here but I have to tell you that the daycare for the two kids costs about $1800/month. That is more than half of my take home pay. The least expensive one I found in our area was about $1300/month. Mind you, these are rates for 5 full days. The daycare we chose (which I feel very comfortable with and the boys are doing GREAT there) doesn't have a part-time option which is a real bummer. But can I really switch them now?
So I am weighing my options and my heart is heavy because how can I give up a job in this economy? I mean, how stupid is that really? Then again, I can go back to part-time work and bring home the same pay, have more time with my boys and spend less on gas. Mike and I are going to sit down this week and look at the numbers closely and figure out what makes the most sense.
It's alot to think about. I don't want to make a bad decision but this job that felt like a gift and that felt so right...well, it doesn't feel that way now. Mind you, it isn't the JOB- because that is mostly what I expected & I would have the opportunity for professional growth- it's just all the details that come with working a full time job. I commend everyone who does it because I am miserable!
So, there may be a decision pending there. In other news, the local arson-crisis continues at a regular rate. Please keep this situation in your prayers.
Thoughts for future posts include: my mom-who is still awesome, michael and his bed, my strong desire to have another baby even though we are in no way financially capable of that, my irritation with the fact that since I am now 35 I have to endure a freakin' mammogram, my wish for a minivan so I can be warm while strapping the children into their carseats (again finances are not conducive), and our new president!!
Since I have stepped away from this practice, I would like to return to it because it made me feel good...the positives/fun stuff for this past day or so:
*Hearing the boys call Barack Obama "Bock-a-mama"- that's how they say his name.
*My mom- who made us dinner tonight...she seriously rocks
*The potential for better opportunities for Mike at his job
*How happy Michael and Liam are when they get to run around naked before/after baths
*The promise of good things to come if our new president and the government can make sound decisions
4 comments:
Hey Chica- lots o' stuff in there. Good luck with it all! I second your talking it over again. Here's a good 2thought thing that works for me when it's decision time: 1) if my best friend were in this exact position, what would I recommend she do? 2) if I were on my much-in-the-future deathbed, looking back at this, which decision would i regret more? Those help lead you on....
Wow, this is a really tough one. Definitely glad that you'll be sitting down to give it some serious thought. It seems, though, that the biggest reason for taking this job was the money, and if you aren't making any more than your previous situation (which you enjoyed, right?), then your motivation for the full time job is no longer there? But of course there may be other factors for full time (opportunity for advancement, more money when they boys are in school and not costing you an arm and a leg). Of coursse you have to do what's best for you and your family - I don't envy you this decision! Good luck and keep us posted...
I am just getting caught up here. Might I just say that working mom's of little people have my respect because the schedule alone makes me really really tired to think about. This is the first time in my life that I have been able to stay home with an infant and while I know I will have to go back to work at some point... I cannot fathom it right now. Since I am much older this time around, the craziness has zero appeal. I say make the most of it either way!
Thanks for your SUPER kind comment on my blog. I needed the virtual kindness from you yesterday.
It is HARD. HARD HARD HARD, this duel-working parent lifestyle. I hope you don't think I don't struggle with it because I DO. But I really think that my working right now is best for our family in the long run. I don't know what's best for you & yours, obv.
The childcare prices suck. We pay the exact same for two full-time, and so far as I can tell, that's pretty average. Are you signed up for for the pre-tax childcare deductions? That helps a LITTLE.
My only real piece of advice is to set a decision date. Say, don't make a decision until X date. It's still pretty new, and it's a huge lifestyle change. Give yourself adequate time to make the decision.
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