Going to Work

"Be good for Daddy," I said first to Buddy as I kissed him on the forehead, then Rosie. "Mommy's going to work."

I can't deny it, it felt good to say it.

Not because I've missed work. Not because I think a need a job to be important.

It felt good to say it because I want to be an example to my children. I want to show them that, after 3 years of being a stay at home mom, I felt like I could do more, so I am doing more. That feeling first began two years ago when I was elected to school committee. From the get-go, I enjoyed the meetings, being a part of something and making decisions. I enjoyed getting my head out of Mommy-dom a few hours a month.

Then the newsletter editor/clerk position with the Council on Aging came up. It seemed right, and it was- I do 90% of the work from home, it doesn't take important time away from the kids and it keeps my toes in the working world.

That night that I kissed Rosie and Buddy goodbye, it was time to print my first newsletter. I got in my Focus and drove the less than 2 miles to the center of town. I parked, got my box of stuff, and headed to the door, keys in hand- the keys to my old elementary school, that now houses the town offices. I couldn't help but smile as I unlocked the door, and walked into the entrance way that seemed so big when I was a Kindergartner. I went down the hall, and unlocked yet another door- the classroom I had grades 2nd through 4th.

I was going to print, staple, label and stamp roughly 200 newsletters in the classroom I spent nearly every day in for three years. It was a future I simply couldn't have imagined!

My supervisor and another member of the COA came to help me, which I was very thankful for, as it took us a few hours with the three of us. We worked, talked and laughed. I came home feeling very satisfied.

Could I "just" be a stay at home mom? Yes. No one would question it. There's nothing wrong with "just" being or doing anything. But when you have a feeling you could tackle more? That maybe there's something out there that you would enjoy and would help you grow? It's always worth taking a shot.

I'm glad I did.