Me, a Working Mom?!?

Let me first say . . .

I believe every mom is a working mom.

I've been working hard for many years now in the Mom Business. And I couldn't have asked for a more challenging or rewarding career.





This is, in fact, the outfit I usually wear to work each day. It's very slimming, don't you think?

But, with my oldest a senior in high school and my youngest in fourth grade, I have entered a new and interesting phase of 'momhood', and thus have been able to join the ranks of "working moms who spend part of their day earning a paycheck".

For the past year or so, I've been looking for opportunities within the school district, since that would allow me to be home when my children are home. I could think of many reasons why I could and should become a substitute teacher, and very few credible reasons why I shouldn't (except for the giant pit in my stomach whenever I thought about it).

Thus, at the beginning of this school year I began the process towards becoming a sub. But then a delightful thing happened. I will spare you all the details, but suffice it to say that a series of 'happenstances' over a couple of weeks culminated in my becoming aware of an opening for a part-time position at a nearby elementary school. Something compelled me to drive over to the school and introduce myself to the vice principal, and within two hours of hearing about the opening, I was hired. Whew, be careful what you wish for!

I work from 11-3 each day. I have seven students every eight weeks that I tutor in reading one-on-one. The school is an "at-risk" school, which means they have grant money for a special school-wide reading program. The tutoring supplements this reading program for the neediest children, most of whom are Hispanic and therefore, mostly spoke Spanish before they spoke English. I have my own desk and computer, as do the other six tutors. The people I work with are wonderful, the children are so sweet, and the schedule just couldn't be much better.

My goal has been that this job would have a minimal impact on my family. And so far, I think that's been true. My mornings have gotten much busier out of necessity, but it's a pretty perfect schedule. The only downside is that I also have to do some playground duty each day, which is pretty mindless, but as I'm getting to know the kids better it is getting more enjoyable.

ANYWAY, I'm back in the outside-the-home workforce for the first time since 1991; wow! I am grateful it has been a relatively easy transition. A couple of days ago there was a bouquet of flowers sitting on my desk when I arrived at work. The card read:

We are all very happy that you are our wife and Mom, so don't get too attached to those other kids at your new job! We love you and appreciate all you do. Love, Keith and the kids

Life is good.