Out Here: From Overpaid Middle Management to Under Appreciated Team Mom
Yep. That’s me. I ended my valued Directorship at a health care company six years ago to stay at home with my children. At the time newborn twins and a just turned three year old rambunctious rugrat were my new bosses. For awhile, I made sure EVERYONE I met knew what I USED to do for a living. I think I threw out my compensation package too. It made me feel worthy. It was hard going from praised employee to the dregs of motherhood, but I did it! And I survived! I look back at the last six years and realize that I am THE survivor. The supermom. No one to give me a bonus, no one to praise my ideas for integrating better systems into the workflow. And let me tell you, the cliche of “my children give me everything I need to make me feel purposeful and appreciated”? Ya…not so much. It’s really a thankless job these years. I hope that when the boys get older they will realize what their mom gave up so that they may have playdates with friends after school, homework completed with their own personal cheerleader beside them, and a personal assistant in their classroom once a week. Ya, I’m realistic about it. They’ll be my age, contemplating their own life, and may, just MAY think to call mom and tell me they love me.
Hold that thought…I need to call my mommy…
So true! Thanks for saying what most moms feel!
1There’s no other job that can challenge you mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis like being the primary parent. The best parents — and we’re all the best, right? — have been forced to develop flexibility, a sense of humor, compassion, resourcefulness, ingenuity, grace, wisdom and much more. Even dealing with the other parents forces you to grow! Sitting in an office working for a health insurance company would bring you external growth…a nice paycheck and a title… but think of your role right now as the fast track to inner growth. I do!
2Can I getta AMEN?!
Thankless indeed, but thankful each and every day that I have the unusual benefit of being gainfully employed with very Mommy-friendly hours which allows me to benefit my child with my full attention. After all, that’s what a child desires most and many families cannot afford the gift of time due to a tough economy which pushes both parents into work force.
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