Thursday, March 12, 2009


I started this blog for the purposes of sharing stuff I am making, but sometimes one can't avoid the fact that one is actually a person and has thoughts and actions not associated with crafting (!)

I also started this blog because reading blogs without writing one, felt a little voyeuristic to me, and when I don't blog about me, I still feel voyeuristic, because I am not sharing anything about my true self.

Obviously I am not going to make things I feel are private, available online for the world to access, but I guess it's just about developing a sense of balance. 

I wanted to share a little about a recent decision of mine. 

I returned to work 2 days a week as a paediatric Speech Pathologist in Term 4 last year (Octoberish), and then lost my job due to staff cuts, and then got it back again Term 1 (end of January) due to staff resignations.  Caleb is at preschool both the days I am working and my mum is kind enough to look after Jemima and drop Caleb off and pick him up. 

I have mentioned before that I wasn't real happy with this arrangement. I was feeling overwhelmed by the demands of my job and as a result didn't have the headspace for home. I hated saying goodbye to the kids in the morning, and felt jealous of mum who was getting to spend the day with them. They were fine with me heading off to work by the way: Grandma is a well loved mum substitute who gives them more chocolate than I do.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying and discussing with Chris and we have decided that I will discontinue paid work. For now. We are in the fortunate position where our finances don't dictate what I have to do work wise, and while I enjoy many aspects of my job, and take pride in my profession, something had to give- and it couldn't be my family.

In one sense it hasn't been a difficult decision, but in other ways it is a tough one. I have been reading other bloggers' grapples with the same thing, and I think the best thing to do is different for each family. Our decision is made. And I am really excited about it! I feel that while there are challenges in being at home full time, ultimately I will be more fulfilled focussing on my home and family, and everyone will be better off as a result.

So I have about 3 weeks to go, and then a new life begins (again). I will have more time to spend on craft- but less money to buy supplies!

5 comments:

Monique said...

Congratulations! In a few weeks you will step off into your new life. Work will always be there but the time with our little ones goes so very fast.

Jade said...

What a great post. And a tough decision made that I applaud you for 100%. I often feel the same way and have also decided that paid work can wait (again, I'm also lucky the decision isn't dictated to me either). We only get one shot at raising our littlies so let's enjoy this time!!

Madeline said...

Congratulations! How wonderful for your whole family.
To me blogging is in some ways like having pen pals, so I really like it when blogs aren't strictly about just one subject. It's fun and interesting to get to know the people behind the blogs.
I struggle with balancing work and being a mommy. Though, I've been really lucky as a single mom to have found jobs that allow me to primarily stay home with my little one. And I couldn't do it without the support of my family. I love to see other mothers embracing staying home. It is truly a wonderful gift. And, not having too much cash for craft supplies just forces you to be that much more creative with what you do have. It's one of those crazy blessings in disguise.

Kelly said...

Congrats on making such a tough decision. The way I look at it is that work will always been there but our little ones don't stay little for long. Enjoy :)

Anonymous said...

right now you're in demand! there'll be other jobs, but there's only one mum - you!

I agree with Madeline, thriftyness can lead to amazing craftiness :)