From Homemaker to Working Mama
Posted at 10:10 pm on September 1, 2010 by Janelle Aldana
Today I started working. Well, let me rephrase that. Today I started working outside my home for the first time in six years. I earned my master’s degree in social work and worked as an adolescent therapist for two years until I decided I wanted to stay home full-time. I had my first son, Kaleb, now 6, less than a year after I was married and then added two more to my litter, Elijah who is now 4 and Asher 3.
I love being a homemaker and taking care of my boys. Yes, some days more than others to be sure! The play dates, baby and me classes, library story times, music and art at the local park district, McDonald’s play land for lunch etc… Oh, and the best part has been not having to wake up and get dressed up for work every morning. I have literally spent the last six years in sweats, no make-up and barely combed hair. I had no reason to do these things! My boys do not care what mommy looks like, as long as I am there to cook, kiss boo boos and play Star Wars. It is all part of that stay at home mom world.
Well, today that all changed for me. After a lot of thought, prayer and weighing the pros and cons, I decided it was time to get my social work license. However, this requires hours in the field along with passing a state exam. Taking on this new challenge meant having to put my boys in preschool/daycare. So, this month my eldest entered 1st grade, and my two preschoolers enrolled in a private school in the area. And mom went back to work!
I have anticipated this day all summer. Counting down the days left until all of our lives would change in what I felt was a pretty drastic way. I have been excited for this new beginning and a chance to wet my feet again in the field of social work, which I absolutely love. At the same time, I have felt anxiousness mixed with a sad and mourning heart for what would be the end of an era for my sons and me. As this day drew nearer and nearer, I embraced each moment of this summer with my boys and made as many memories as I could, so I would have these to hold onto.
In preparation for this new day, I laid out my new “work” clothes, packed my lunch, took a shower and set my alarm clock the night before to save some time in the morning. I knew I would also have three little guys to feed and dress, and we had to have this all done by 7:45 a.m.! I thought I was fully prepared and ready and did not anticipate too many kinks in the schedule.
Well, of course, the life of a mother is full of surprises, and I should have known better. My six year old decided he would have the world’s worst case of insomnia and literally was awake from 2 in the morning until we had to get ready. I finally passed out somewhere around 5:30 a.m. and my other two sons woke up for the day at 5:50. My youngest, Asher, complained of a stomach ache and cried all morning saying, “I don’t wanna go to school!” My middle son, Elijah, insisted he had to go poo (sorry for the vulgarity) which made me late getting out the door. I lost my cell phone, got lost trying to take some back roads to the boys’ school and walked into my first day on the job late!
Thankfully, my new supervisor was very kind and understanding. I was shown to my very own office with my very own desk and my very own computer. How exciting! I read a training manual for four hours and loved every minute of it! And when I was all done for the day, I raced to two different schools to pick up my munchkins and then home again.
For many working mothers this may be the battle they face every work day morning, but for me it was a whole new adventure. Am I ready to do this all over again? I think I could do without the morning drama, but I am grateful and optimistic about this new road I am on, the journey of a working mama. If there are any of you working mom experts out there who can share some of your sage advice on getting everyone ready in the morning and saving time, I welcome your words of wisdom.
what a huge transition for all of you! Hope day 2 started more smoothly and that you still enjoyed yourself. I will certainly be praying that God blesses this new stage of life for you and your boys! You are such a good mama to them.
Wow! What a day! I’m not a morning person so unfortunately I have no advice. I always thought that if I had to leave the house that early with my kids they’d have to sleep in their clothes and eat their breakfast in the car.
So glad you are on this new adventure. I’ll be praying for your days—mornings especially!
I actually HAVE heard of moms who dress their kids for sleep in the clothes they need to wear in the morning…but that sounds extreme to me. I only work one day a week, and that’s enough hectic for me. I’m sure it will get easier though…best of luck!
Your journal brought back memories.
No advise, but prayers being offered for you and your sons. May God help you find and maintain a perfect balance for everything in your life.
Keep savoring all the special moments even when life is hectic.
What a blessing to have been able to spent the most important years of their lives with your children and now going off to work using your knowledge, skills and even those skills you’ve gained being a full-time mom to bless others. God has been so good to you, Janelle. Your faithfulness to him in deciding to be the best mom you could be to Kaleb, Elijah and Asher will not go unnoticed by him.
On another note, wait to you have to get them up in below zero weather, dress them, feed them breakfast, get them washed up to then go turn your car on to heat it up, then go back inside to get their coats, mittens, hats, and boots and then to finally get them to the car and off to school and work! In spite of the heat and humidity Florida does have its rewards!
Janelle,
I’m so excited for your new adventure! You are a wonderful mother to your boys and I know you’ll do great in your new job.
Besides laying clothes out at night for you and the boys, some other time savers that could help you out is if it’s cereal in the morning, pour it in their bowls before bedtime, leave the spoons out etc, so all you have to do is pour the milk. You could also have all shoes/backpacks by the door ready to go so you don’t have to go on a wild goose hunt when you’re in a hurry. When you brush your teeth, put the toothpaste on for all 3 boys (unless they are doing this themselves by now). That’s all I’ve got…hope you settle into a routine soon. I’m sure you will =)
Love & Miss you!!