Thursday, May 21, 2015

First week at work...


What an interesting week!

The kids and I had a big clean up on Sunday in preparation for the week ahead.  I made up a new chore chart and the kids and I got stuck into it.  It worked really well so I think it's a keeper!
The boys have realised that if we do a little each day it's much easier to keep on top of all of the tidying up and meal making.  I've also began making lunches at night again so that we have an easier time in the morning.

So, Monday was my first day and it went well.  I think I was being tested as the school had a morning tea on for parents and I couldn't go.  I had to really not let the mother guilt get the better of me.  I did spend 5 minutes in each class before I went to work so at least I made the effort.

I collected Jayden after work and we headed home, did all the after school/dinner stuff and then I changed into my Pj's!  I was so tired!  I think that will settle down as I get used to our new routine.  I was pretty pleased that it all went well.  Of course, for the first time in forever Jayden woke up overnight crawled into my bed and then kicked me and snuffled the rest of the night.  Another test? 

Tuesday I did my food shopping for the fortnight and went into town for Ethans swimming lesson.  I also cooked dinner for Wednesday night already because not only did I have work, Dylan had a musical soiree at school followed by Scouts.  Michael and I had to take in two cars just to work it all out.  That's life with kids and activities though I guess.





Dylan with his teacher...


Today I have had a quiet day pottering around which has been nice.  I think I did feel like it was going to be a lot more stressful than it actually has been.  I don't have to go back until next Monday now so it's very cruisy.  That may increase in a couple of weeks, as the snow season is the busy season for work.  Right now I'm enjoying the gentle ease into work life. 

Funnily enough, today I also received a phone call for a small position at the local community centre organising some school holiday programs for teenagers.  Sure, why not?  Haha.  When it rains it pours I guess.

So my mind has been in overdrive adjusting to the new changes after so many years at home.

First of all, I'm already feeling way more grateful for all of my time at home.

I also know that I don't think I would survive with full time work and be able to balance the rest of my home life.

I value my time SO much.  When you are working for someone else you no longer own your time. 

I really need variety in my life.  If I had to work in one role for one person all week I think I would shrivel up and die.  Haha.

Most of all I'm grateful.  So grateful that I've found a part time job that helps with the finances, but still allows me to predominately be a stay at home Mum.  Grateful to find an office job in a small country town that are few and far between.  Grateful that I have a beautiful friend to collect Jayden once a week after Kinder and take him home for a play date with her daughter (who is also his best friend).

I worried for a while there that maybe I wasn't doing "simple living" well if I was having to go and look for work.  Then I realised that there's a difference between simple living and poor living.  We live in the country and want to raise animals and grow food, my family is my focus and I love cooking from scratch.  I also want my boys to do Scouts and have swimming lessons, want our family to be able to camp and travel and I now have this expensive new found Project Life hobby  So, there has to be a balance I guess and it's going to be different for everyone.

Anyway, you can tell this blog has turned into a journal now because I'm ranting.  Haha.


2 comments:

  1. This is so relevant to me because most likely I will be looking for part time work next year after being at home a long long time. Part-time work is a really good balance for a simple living mum.

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    1. It feels like such a big leap Zena, but I am realising that with the amount that I'm working, life really shouldn't alter too much. I went into overdrive in week 1 and probably overdid it at home and with the kids thinking it was going to have a bigger impact, but I'm already settling down. Part-time is perfect really. xo

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