Paradigm Shift 1 May, 08
Posted by mermaids in education, family life, organization.trackback
It is time to finally admit that I am not a “stay at home” mom. I work. I have a job. There, I said it.
The substitute teaching began as a “once in a while” thing. A teacher was out for a few weeks due to surgery. I agreed to cover her classes since the schedule could be arranged so I only worked half days. The teacher never returned. The school year ended and my name was on the sub list.
The plan was to work perhaps one or two days a week. It would be a nice way to spend time in a classroom without the pressure of a full time job. The extra money would be fun, too. One or two days a week turned into three or four.
The tipping point was the district’s decision to use a web based program for scheduling subs. Previously, teachers had to call in requests for subs. Requesting a particular sub was cumbersome, if not impossible. With the new program, a teacher can see if her favorite sub is available and simply click on the sub’s name to request. Suddenly, I was getting called every day. Now I have teachers stopping me in the hall and requesting me weeks in advance.
I have been in denial about my working status. I have been trying to run the house as though I were still at home every day. My volunteer activities have reduced only slightly. I am operating under the premise of “Oh, I can do that tomorrow when I am not working.” Tomorrow comes, I am working, and nothing gets done at home.
As of Monday, I am already booked to work half of May. It is time to adopt a new mind set. I am a working mother. At times, I am a working single mother thanks to Hubski’s travel schedule. It is time reprioritize some things and rework my schedule. I need operate under the assumption that I will be working every day. The days that I don’t get called to work will be a bonus.
Getting those prorities sorted when you’re working can be hard. I finally gave up and told the family I could not do Mum, housekeeper, school helper and everything else whilst studying full-time. Now each of the kids has their specific responsibilities in the housework which they are paid a token amount for. The non-urgent stuff can wait till I have time. I’ve also got really good at saying ‘no’ to everyone else. Basically I prioritised my study, got the urgent stuff organised and try to spend the rest with my kids and very helpful hubby (who also goes out of town each month for a couple of days). Hang in there. Just think of how much fabric you can buy with all that fabric…..
Oh, Teri, you can join those of us who always say we will clean the house tomorrow, bake the bread tomorrow, sew the shirt tomorrow. I think my alter ego is actually named “later”. It is easier to learn to say no to people outside the home, but I find that there are times when I can’t even accomplish my in-home tasks, let alone be on the PTA committee, teach the neighbor to sew, and help design that embroidery design for my web-pal.
I don’t know how you do all you do. Super Mom! The school is lucky to have you, as are your boys. I know you will figure it all out. You are so organized and smart. Most of all, you have your priorities straight.