Okay, I am going to let people in on a little secret. I know why so many people find my decision to come home to my children so hard to grasp. Here I was, a "professional" - why would I "waste" my gift by leaving the workforce and homeschooling three little kids?
The real reason this is such a shock is because they know what I know - work is fun! No, not always the "job" part of work - the atmosphere! Work is great. Work is like high school without all the burdensome rules and homework. Plus, everyone is an adult!
Let's admit it, kids make us act better. There is just some things you don't say and don't do in front of kid. There are some conversations you just don't have and there are no kids at work. Especially work environments away from the public - oh boy!
Its not just the dishy gossip full of affairs, office romances, and "who said what". There are also the celebrations. You get cake on your birthday! As parents we know you never really get to choose your own cake flavor at home - someone is allergic to nuts, another can't stand strawberries, etc. Not so at work - everyone is an adult and if they don't like German Chocolate Cake too bad - its your birthday! Not to mention the awards and recognition for a job well done. Get a report in on time - you just might an emailing acknowledging your valiant efforts inspite of bureaucracy. Do good for a year - a glowing evaluation. Hey, there may even be money attached to it.
At work you get to great a persona for yourself that is of your own making. Finally able to leave behind the "old you" who was akward or lost being homecoming queen. No, you get to be the new and improved you. And, by the way, people even recognize when you approve a little along the way. Lose ten pounds - several people will say how good you look. Change you hair color or hair style - 10 people come by stating how nice you nice.
Yes, its hard leaving the den of self-congratulations. The place where they will be a party at least once a month with cake and lots of bad foods you would never let your children see you eating. And by the way, you get to bring in the casserole your family hates but you love!
Honestly, I knew it wouldn't be the "work" that I missed; I did wonder about missing the comrade re though. I am a talker and I worked in an office of talkers. There were people in my office who read the same books I liked, we could talk politics and how to save the world. It was fun.
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