I missed him too, especially by the end of the day when I was stuck in city traffic. Just a few... more... blocks....
The truth is I enjoyed reentering the workplace. My new engagement is fascinating, and I got to listen to NPR during my commute.
But more relevant, I must admit to feeling proud, almost relieved, to be working again. My self-esteem is, for better or worse, inextricably tied up in my professional life. Although I have enjoyed being home with Henry, part of me (the part that probably needs to go to therapy) has felt like a lame-ass for not "working."
But more relevant, I must admit to feeling proud, almost relieved, to be working again. My self-esteem is, for better or worse, inextricably tied up in my professional life. Although I have enjoyed being home with Henry, part of me (the part that probably needs to go to therapy) has felt like a lame-ass for not "working."
(I'm going to use "work" to describe "work-outside-the-home" for the sake of brevity, but who are we kidding, really? Raising children is just as much work as anything I do at a desk, if not more.)
But I really didn't want to go back to work full-time. I would have been devastated to leave Henry to a full-time nanny, not to mention exhausted at the mere thought of everything I'd still have to do to "keep house" despite never being home.
Indeed. There is a difference between working part-time and working part-time.
Lisa Mills runs a great website called Work At Home Mom Revolution with opportunities to make some money. But as I scrolled through the telemarketing and transcription jobs I realized something important.
I don't want simply to work. I want to advance my career.
I don't want simply to work. I want to advance my career.
I despaired that I would only find an intellectually challenging, career-advancing or even career-maintaining opportunity in a full-time, 60-hour a week (or more) position. I was worried I'd have to "lean in" all the way, even if I wanted -- or needed -- to lean out sometimes.
In some ways, I was right. Flexible career opportunities are few and far between. Too often it's all or nothing. I had the great and rare privilege to be able to stay home for my son's newborn months and write, waiting to find that perfect part-time opportunity. It shouldn't have been so difficult.
Do you think we'll ever have a more parent-friendly work environment in this country?