Would you take this job?

[ekatiel]

I've been a SAHM mom for the past 6 years. Before I had kiddos, I was master-degreed elementary school teacher. For the past three years, I've been working on an extremely part time basis as a teacher at a local home school alliance (we're talking one day a week for three hours). My oldest is starting kinder in the fall, and my youngest just turned 4. We are not sure if we'll start him in kinder next fall or the following year, since he's a summer baby (we held my oldest out of kinder for a year-- but that's a whole other thread!). This week, I interviewed for what I thought was a part time position at a local community college that involved mentoring early childhood education teachers. It turns out they got more grant money than expected, and they would like to hire 2 full time people (me being one of them). The hours are semi-flexible. I would have to put my youngest in a preschool that had the same hours as my oldest's elementary school (7:30am-2:30pm, M-F). He is currently enrolled M-Th, 9a-2p. I could work 8am-2pm, M-F, and then put in 2 hours each evening from home once DH gets home. We do not really need the money, we live just fine off of DH's salary, but the job sounds really cool (and the money would be nice!). I've always been committed to staying home when my kids were little, and only working school hours when they got bigger. I'm just not sure what to do. The job is a great opportunity, but I was really hoping that it would be part-time. I've also asked about summers-- she's getting back to me. If I don't have at least the majority of the summer off, I think that's a deal-breaker for me. Anyone have any thoughts? Those of you who used to be SAHMs and entered the workforce, what was it like, how old were your kids, how did the transition go, etc? Thanks for any input. I'm just trying to see it from all angles. The whole full-time position thing just blindsided me! --Katie

 

[disny_luvr]

Geez, this is a tough one. I was in a similar situation as you last year. I, too, was a school teacher before I had my children. After the birth of my twins, I resigned to stay home with them. At the beginning of last year (2009), I started getting the itch to return. I really loved being home with my kids, but I really missed teaching too. Last July there was an unexpected resignation in my former school and grade. After much thought and prayer, DH and I decided that returning to work would be the best choice for our family. I applied and got the job. I was still apprehensive about sending my boys to daycare but they love it! Looking back over the last year, I think going back to work at the time I did was the best decision I could make. Like I said, my boys love daycare (they go to an in-home center). They are thriving and I just feel like they are getting more social skills, etc. than I could give them.

All this being said, I think this is something that you and DH have to discuss. How do you feel about putting your little one in daycare? In years to come, will you regret not being home? How much flexibility is there; What if your kids are in a program at school, could you get off of work to go? What will you do with your older child(ren) on days when they aren't in school but you have to work? I will add that I agree if you have to work over the summer that that would be a deal-breaker. Having off in the summer is a big plus to me too.

I must say though that I think the job sounds really cool. I'd enjoy doing something like that too. Good luck in your decision and let us know what you decide.

 

[muscarello4]

I was home until our 2nd was 6 and entering 1st grade. Loved being a SAHM. I felt so connected to the kids. (At that time we only had the two oldest, so all of my kids were in school full-time.) Working FT was rough! There is SO much work and only so many hours in the day. We have had to hire a cleaning lady for $200/month and eat our quite a bit more...probably another $200/month.

We adopted our youngest two at 3 and 4. I had them in daycare, as I really had no option to stay home. I missed it! ALOT! We are still very connected and I loved them to bits, but I missed out on quite a bit.

My advice, if you can stay home, DO IT! You won't regret the time with your kids. Opportunities will come and go. You only get one chance to parent. Enjoy it!

Good luck!

 

[hffmnheidi]

Does the college you'll be working at have a daycare program right on site? If so, you may get a deal or reduced fees or even free child care if you are on staff. Look into that.

I think it sounds great. I also have a teaching degree and can't find anything. If it is a good opportunity, I say take it and bank the extra funds. Since this is a grant based job-it may not be there next school year or even when the funds run out. Good luck in making your decision and let us know what happens.

 

[seashoreCM]

Ask yourself this:

Would you volunteer to do this job, er, activity, if somehow money grew on trees to provide day care, a housekeeper, etc.?

Would you ... , if in a few years you would likely advance to something very exciting and challenging and that paid more?

That is actually what you would be doing if you accept this job. Expect the added expenses for child care to consume just about your entire take home pay.

Oh yes, you will have far less flexibility in arranging your next Disney trip given that you have to add your schedule to DH's schedule and the kids' school schedules!

 

[QVCshopper]

It's certainly tempting, so I might do it, especially if the summers are off/reduced. I'm a SAHM as well, but I've worked at night since my DS4 was born. DD5 goes to Kinder in the fall, DS4 has one more year left of preschool. I'm planning to be SAHM til he gets into first grade, but you never know. If such a flexibly opportunity came my way, I would probably take it. That's probably one reason why I'm not looking right now.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Being a working mom certainly isn't any easy; I've be a full-time working mom, day part-time working mom, SAHM, and night part-time working mom. It's all tough, but the night thing works best for me right now, especially b/c I can do most of it from home.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Agrees, it is tough. I guess it comes down to how flexible it is. Also, how involved can you and do you want to be at the kids' school. And what do you do when someone get sick. I am sure there are more but these came up for me this year.

I was a SAHM for 15 years. I took a job this school year as a preschool teacher's assistant. I worked just 2 afternoons a week for a total of 6 hours, sometimes more to sub, but never a lot. Despite that it was so little, it messed up things.

Like once when my DD8 was sick and I couldn't get a sub and DH's boss wouldn't let him out of work to watch her and I had to call DD15 home from high school to watch her. It doesn't happen often, but do you have help if you need it or would you be able to stay home?

Also, even thoughb I never had to work when my kdis wern't in school, my preschool class had an event on the same day as my DD8's class had a field trip. I wanted to be with her but was required to be at the event (it was the end of the yaer thing, I had to be there.) I felt awful missing it. I never missed a thing of her sisters' and here I missed hers. It broke my heart. Our new school doesn't allow many oppertunities like my older 2 had at their old school so it was even worse to miss this.

My job is over and I am back to being a SAHM and I am realizing how much I missed it. Like today, DD8 had a luau at school this morning. Well, it rained, terribly so they sent us all home and said we could come back in the afternoon when they have their ice cream party and to play indoor games. I and one or 2 other moms said great, see you then. The other moms all said they had only taken the morning off and had to go back to work. They were bummed for sure.

I just say these things to think about. If you'd be able to take off easily or these things don't apply, then why not take it? But if you are committed to being at home like you said, there is some reason for those feelings so knowing how much it will change things is good to know.

Good Luck!

 

[ceecee]

You and your DH are the ones to decide. I think 8-2 are pretty good hours although I would hate the 5 days a week. Full benefits? Is it close to home? Is your 4 year old in an enviroment that you will be okay with if you hold him back from K another year?

 

[mdsouth]

After being a SAHM, I had a very similar opportunity as yours. It worked out great for me. I went to work for a local university teaching in the College of Education. The position was one like yours. I taught some classes and supervised a few education students. It was a great job.

I found that teaching full time at a college is different from teaching full time in an elementary or middle school. You have much more flexibility in your schedule. I got to determine my own office hours (2 hours a week) when students could come in to see me and then my other hours were the time I was teaching class. I could prep for my classes either at work or at home whichever worked best for me. Often, I would pick up my son early from daycare and work at home. I also was able to go to my son's activities.

I found the work to be rewarding and my gave my son the chance to socialize with kids his age.

I think the opportunity is a wonderful one for someone going back into the work force.

 

[JamieW]

I've been a SAHM mom for the past 6 years. Before I had kiddos, I was master-degreed elementary school teacher. For the past three years, I've been working on an extremely part time basis as a teacher at a local home school alliance (we're talking one day a week for three hours). My oldest is starting kinder in the fall, and my youngest just turned 4. We are not sure if we'll start him in kinder next fall or the following year, since he's a summer baby (we held my oldest out of kinder for a year-- but that's a whole other thread!). This week, I interviewed for what I thought was a part time position at a local community college that involved mentoring early childhood education teachers. It turns out they got more grant money than expected, and they would like to hire 2 full time people (me being one of them). The hours are semi-flexible. I would have to put my youngest in a preschool that had the same hours as my oldest's elementary school (7:30am-2:30pm, M-F). He is currently enrolled M-Th, 9a-2p. I could work 8am-2pm, M-F, and then put in 2 hours each evening from home once DH gets home. We do not really need the money, we live just fine off of DH's salary, but the job sounds really cool (and the money would be nice!). I've always been committed to staying home when my kids were little, and only working school hours when they got bigger. I'm just not sure what to do. The job is a great opportunity, but I was really hoping that it would be part-time. I've also asked about summers-- she's getting back to me. If I don't have at least the majority of the summer off, I think that's a deal-breaker for me. Anyone have any thoughts? Those of you who used to be SAHMs and entered the workforce, what was it like, how old were your kids, how did the transition go, etc? Thanks for any input. I'm just trying to see it from all angles. The whole full-time position thing just blindsided me! --Katie

Take the job. The hours are great, and you'd be doing something you love. It's a no-brainer to me.

 

[DawnM]

This is a question only you and your family can make.

I too was a teacher before becoming a SAHM. I did it somewhat backwards though and started staying home when my oldest started 2nd grade.

I never in a million years thought I would stay at home. I worked for 16 years full time. If you had asked this same question to me 6 year ago I would have said, "Of course you should take this job!"

Now, I feel it is a personal decision and having done both (SAH and work) I can say that there are pluses and minuses to both and noone can decide for you.

Dawn

 

[patsal]

I was in a similiar situation 12 years ago. After careful consideration I did take the job and was very happy with it. I really didn't realize how much I enjoyed teaching and teaching teachers until I went back to work. I did it on a trial basis, I was just going to finish out the year and the next year (mine was 18 months total) and I am still going strong.
If it is something that sounds like you'd enjoy doing, if your kids and DH are ok with the idea as well, then I say go for it. Since it is only a 2 year grant position there is an end to it, you can see it through and go back to what you were doing as a SAHM. If you love it and you want to continue you can find a way to do that as well.
I thought I was going to stay home until DD was 5 and went off to kinder, but I ended up going back when she was 3. It worked really well, because she kept saying she wanted to go to school and I kept saying we do school at home (pre k structured stuff at home) until you are 5. In Decemeber she got her wish and went to school while I got mine and tried something I always wanted to try.

 

[squirrel]

You can also look into a daycare that provides a pre-school type program.

It sounds like the hours are good. You will still have lots of time with your children in the afternoons and evenings.

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I ended up declining the full-time position. I'm just not ready yet. My littlest will only be 4 once . The good news is that they are going to try and find another part-time person, so if they do, I could still get the part-time job I interviewed for! That would be wonderful. So say some prayers that a part-time person will show up before a full-time person does! --Katie

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I hope it works out for you, you are so right, they grow up toooo fast! If you can afford to be there with him and want to you should.
Good Luck and have a great summer with your kiddies!