About My Job

I have had many jobs in my life. I remember when I was in school preparing for life in the real world I was told that I should decide on a career and pursue it. The problem is that as a student, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had thoughts about what might me nice, but having no experience, how was I supposed to know what thing I would find lifelong satisfaction doing? So, I worked in clerical positions, and various other jobs. I got a degree in Computer Science thinking this would make me a small fortune, just to discover that it was really boring to me. Not to mention the job market being over saturated with qualified candidates that actually didn't think it was boring. The problem with most jobs and me is that once I'm there for maybe 3-6 months I find myself bored and ready to move on to something different. I like variety in my work and I want to be challenged. I can't stand sitting (or standing) and doing the same thing day after day. I cannot imagine ten years of such torture. I have no desire to be the CEO of anything, and I have found that you really don't know what any job will be like until you are doing that job for a little while. So even something that sounds like it might be interesting, could put you to sleep after a few short weeks. So, as you can tell, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

On the other hand, my current job, it's a great job, but most of our culture seems to think of it as insignificant and unimportant. My current job, is being a wife, a mom, and a teacher. Yep, the 21st century homemaker. It's not a position for which I get lots of money, or recognition. I'm not one of today's big time power women making big decisions and controlling lives. No, I'm kinda like a frumpy, overweight, not always level-headed June Cleaver, oh but she didn't homeschool Wally and the Beaver.

So, at first this seems like another job which would be boring, it's certainly not glamorous. However, the more time I spend washing clothes, cooking dinner, teaching my daughter and doing dishes, the happier I am when I see my family living together in harmony. I don't so much like doing laundry, but I like it when my husband has clean clothes to wear to work. I don't necessarily like telling my daughter every day to get her school work finished (constantly, all day long) but I do like to see the A's and B's she gets on her test scores. I like being involved in her daily life. I like working together and learning new things while I teach. I like being here when my husband gets home hungry from a busy day at the office. Heck, I like my job! I like seeing my family happy. It makes me happy! I like that I don't have to get up and dress a certain way and make my hair just perfect and put my make-up on. I like that I can work barefoot all day! I like that I have a flexible schedule. I like that when I am sick, I don't have to call anyone when I feel like crap already. I am blessed with my job, because I know there are a lot of mom's out there who would rather be home with their families, but they cannot afford to stay home.

Not only does being a homemaker/homeschool teacher put a strain on the family budget, but this is a job that many people don't think is important and so they treat you with disrepect. I've had people tell me they don't think I do anything, like all I do is sit around and watch soaps all day. So, "news flash", homeschool moms and homemakers actually work. I don't watch soaps, at all. We watch some news in the morning to keep up with current events in the world around us. Then it's work time. We spend most of the day in the classroom focusing on studies. I have to plan assignments and prepare myself to understand and teach for the day. It's hard when it's your own kids because they pull everything they can to get you to lose focus and push limits. What does teacher do that mom doesn't and vice versa? And on my breaks I keep working, the house needs to be cleaned, dinner planned and prepared, laundry (the never ending supply) needs to be washed, folded and put away. I put in long days. Sometimes it feels like I'm always working. Even at the end of the day when everyone is relaxing and watching television, I'm making sure the dishes are done and the kitchen is clean so I don't wake up to a mess tomorrow. I know that most of you working moms, get home and keep on working too, but don't think that just because the homemaker is home, she's just gossiping and wasting time in front of the TV. My job keeps me busy, gives me plenty of variety, is challenging and for me is more rewarding than working for any organization has ever been. Yep, I love this job! I thank God for giving me this time to be here with my family. This is the best job I have ever had.