Work

Okay. I've been overthinking and trying to figure out how to convey my thoughts about my word for the year and also my thoughts on working. I thought they went together, and it's been muddling up my decision about my word for the year. But. I'm finally realizing that they don't have to go together. Whew. 

Given that, I wanted to just take a minute to record my thoughts on the whole "what are you going to do when you go back to work now that you're not homeschooling anymore?" conversation.

Here's the thing(s). 1) Being a mom and running a household definitely *is* a job and deserves to be valued as such. 2) I don't really want to go "back to work." :)

Do I have extra time in my days? Yes. Are my boys mostly self-sufficient? Yup. Do I have the skills to get a decent job? Pretty sure I do. (My degrees and resume are rusty, but I've done a variety of things over the years while also homeschooling.) 

But. I'm rather fond of how my life is right now. It's pretty fabulous. (And, yes, I know that I am truly blessed that this is even a choice. Seriously appreciate Nathan and his work!) I so highly value the flexibility I currently have in my schedule...that I'm able to be here for my boys whenever they need me...that I can take the time to do college visits or go to climbing competitions or just listen when someone decides to talk. For years now, I've been prioritizing this time above other things...being an active part in my boys' lives. Now that they're older doesn't mean that they need me any less or that I want to be there for them any less. Sure, it looks a bit different...but parenting teens is just as involved as parenting toddlers. 

So. Since I do have the luxury of a choice, I'm choosing not to look for full time work. I'm just not ready to shift my focus away from my boys quite yet and know that going back to work full time would require that (or that I would require that of myself). Micah only has three years of school after this one, and Asher will be a senior this fall. I need a bit more time to transition my focus from boys to work.  

So...not full time work. But. Obviously, extra income sure would be lovely. I'm still paying off law/graduate school student loans after all. ;P To that end, I'm looking into part-time, work-from-home type situations. I have a lead on a couple ideas and will keep you posted. In the meantime, just wanted to share this.