My Next Step

The Captain and I agreed on a plan when we decided to start a family. I would stay home with our kids until they were all in school, and then I would go back to work, or transition back into a greater level of engagement with society.

It wasn't easy. I've been at home for eight years, and it has taken determination, sacrifice, and focus. I am so glad that I've done it. I am proud of sticking with it, and doing my at-home mothering to the best of my ability (most days!).

This year is my transition year. Now that Finch is in preschool, getting ready to start school next year, I need to decide on what I want to do next, and how to get there. Easier said than done.

I have two different dream jobs in my head that are completely different from each other.

Job 1 - Working with a landscape design firm on small projects, designing and installing gardens specifically for families, incorporating permaculture principles, bringing wildlife into the garden, creating organic kitchen gardens, and creative and thoughtful play areas for children. Bunny Guiness is my idol.

Job 2 - Working to support families (biologically intact, foster, or adoptive) with access to information, and connection to resources during times of challenge. 

The kind of job I had before we started our family is completely out of the question, now that we have three busy kids. I don't want work to stray too far outside of school hours. For Job 1 I would need to retrain, as I have no credentials in design or horticulture.

You'd think that after considering it for several years, I'd know just what to do...but I don't. 

After being out all this time, the idea of going into job interviews or back to study is a bit daunting. In my dream scenario, I find work through a social connection, and just kind of slip back in. There's a lot of fantasy going on here, I know.

How about you? Have you navigated a career change or a relaunch back into the workforce? How did you do it?

Comments

[Wendy]

Before I moved to Nashville, I took some horticulture classes at a community college. They had a great program. I wonder if there would be anything like that near you where you could take a class or two this year just to get your feet wet?

[Natasha]

Doing it right now with a launch into full-time art/creative work. After 10 years of baby/homeschool, all four of our kids started school last year. I tried two different traditional part-time jobs last year, but it just didn't work for us (plus...they paid in the $12/hour range). Just because the kids are usually occupied with school from 8-2, doesn't mean they don't need one of their parents (ie: me) at least once a week during those hours (sick days, snow days, vacations, meltdowns, IEP meetings, doctor and dentist appointments, performances, and more). And jobs that let out at 2 pm? Good luck.

I did the Job1, Job2 thing as well, and I finally had to admit to myself that EVEN THOUGH I have a significant amount of professional experience/connections from the last 7 years in the multiracial educator/advocate field, I cannot do it 24 hours a day. And I am unable to (nor do I want to) stop advocating on behalf of my kids/family and others in our circle regarding multiracial/race/racism/privilege issues. It is a daily battle. For my own sanity, I need to do something totally different in the 'work' category of my life.

We moved, renovated a house (not on purpose), and started school all at the same time--last year was a whirlwind. Best wishes during your transition,
Natasha

[Kohana]

Wendy, I found a fantastic Permaculture Certificate course tonight. I am super excited to look into it more tomorrow. Natasha, thank for the comment. This year is a whirlwind year for us as well, so I don't want to over commit myself while we're adjusting. I hear you about kids always needing someone, and I know that without a family support network here, there's no one else to call when the kids need us. Also, I'm leaning towards the horticulture option because I feel like I need a different outlet to the foster care/adoption/social justice stuff that is really emotionally engaging. Gardening inspires, energizes, and excites me, and I need that! What kind of art/creative work are you doing? Doing it full-time, does that mean you're self-employed or working from home? Sounds exciting!