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SUYL - Working Moms

Kelly's Korner is currently doing a SUYL (Show Us Your Life) for working moms. I think this is a great opportunity to talk about what it's like to be a working mom, who works outside of our home.

I am currently an administrative assistant for an engineering company. The job I do is normally 8 - 5, with occasional late nights and early mornings. The job I do is very mentally challenging; I really enjoy it and the people I work with. I enjoy getting that adult time every day and feeling like I am doing something of value. We currently work with clients who need permitting and monitoring of their facilities to keep them in line with government standards for air quality. Even though I am not an engineer, I have alot of say in the final products of the reports we do and I like that. It's different than any other job I've had.

With that said, I do struggle sometimes with my life as a mother and as an employee. I feel like I don't see my daughter enough, and at times, it breaks my heart. I wish I could have a better balance, where I still got my "working" needs and my "mother" needs taken care of, where I could work less and be at home with Avery more. I also wish I could find more time to do things I wanted to do without feeling like every waking second of my life is going to other things besides me. It's hard. But at this point, I like my job and honestly, we could not afford for me to stay at home anyway.

For example, today and yesterday, Avery's been at home with my parents while she's had pink eye. I hate that I can't be home with her. I feel guilty not being at work because I don't want to do anything that might cause me to lose my job. But I would much rather be taking care of my baby. I feel like I am not always close enough to her, emotionally, because other people are taking care of her more often than me. And I sometimes let other people make me feel like it's "OK" that she is staying with other people, and sometimes, it's just not OK with me. But, at this point, it's not a choice I have to make. It just is what it is.

So, I think parenting is just a question of finding the right balance and sometimes that just takes time. I am sure working stay at home mommies have various feelings and concerns that are different than mine, so I don't think any woman really feels 100% like they have it all figured out. But, who knows what is around the corner!!!

***I have added my "My First Week At Work" post. Makes me sad to read that again!*** 

Comments

Life Happens said…
That's great that you have a job that you enjoy. It is hard to balance work and life, but sounds like you are doing it.

As working moms, we all feel guilty when we can't be there 24 hrs, but it's how we spend our time with our children when we ARE there that counts.
February 10, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Abramyan Avenue said…
I love this post. I think it brings out the truth about working moms. I have been a working mom, currently a SAHM (my job eliminated my position) and will be a working mom again in a few short weeks. My girls are 11 & 16 and it doesn't get any easier. I miss them already but it is something I have to do. My husband is a jeweler and small business owner, so that means no ins. Any health ins is from my employers. I know how hard both working mom's AND SAHM have it. I've lived both. Personally, I like to work, I like that independence and I like the extra income. I hope that we will all treasure my days off in the future and spend those days building memories and cherishing every second.
February 11, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Southern Queen of the Crazies said…
I am a SAHM and I loved reading this!
February 11, 2012 at 11:10 AM
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