If you follow me on Instagram you’ll see I have posted a few different kinds of photos recently. After 7 years of being a stay at home mum I’ve been dipping my toes into work outside of the home. It’s no secret I’ve been self employed for the last few years but I’ve been increasingly happy to do something else.
Blogging can be lonely. It’s also amazingly flexible, allowing me to look after my children, but its not something I wanted to do for ever. In the last few years I’ve had a few job interviews and even one job offer, which I turned down. I really wanted something to fit around school hours and I found something – exam invigilating!
It’s not terribly exciting or intellectual but it’s been a great experience for me. I can’t tell you how happy it’s made me, the small things like getting a work pass, driving somewhere new, meeting new people and having some responsibility. I thought that I should write about it, so if it takes me a while to get something else then at least I can remember all the good things, how positive I felt, how I didn’t miss or worry about my children (something I was worrying about), how good it was to learn new things, wear nicer clothes and just try something new.
Exam invigilating is seasonal but I would love to work in a school. I’ve spent the last two years volunteering in schools and helping with youth groups and my temporary job has made me realise this is something I really want to pursue. I’m happy to realise that I don’t miss my old job, the work environment or commuting into London.
My kids have been really excited about me going out to work. They have tried on my work badge (and squabbled over it, naturally). My husband has helped with school drop offs and I’ve loved leaving the early morning chaos behind as I take myself off to work.
Over the weeks my children have missed me! They started to ask when I would be able to take them to school again and I missed a few school coffee mornings. I think it would be tough to work full time as I love being with my kids but it’s definitely something I need to pursue. Tomorrow is my last exam and then I can countdown to enjoying the Summer holidays with my children – with one eye on job vacancies, of course.
We have to do what is best for us in our individual circumstances. I would love to go back to working in a school but also love being home for my daughter every day!
It must be nice to have a bit more of a solid routine having a job and it’s so good that you’ve been able to get out and chat to new people x
Congratulations on your job, I’ll keep my fingers crossed something permanent and perfect for you comes up soon. I’ve always had to be a working mum but to be honest I love it! Having the routine and adult company is great. It is hard sometimes when you miss out on some of the mum things like assemblies or sports days though.
my dad did this last year and has ended up doing pretty much every day in the school since in various roles!