What Do You Do For A Living?

Katie R.

A question that comes up all the time in conversation is “What do you do for a living?”   Of course this is a straightforward question that usually arises when I meet someone or run into someone I haven’t seen in awhile.  So why the hell is it so hard for me to answer?  I guess I am still adjusting to the fact that I’m a stay-at-home mom and also I have the dilemma that many moms have of staying-at-home or working. 

So how do I answer this question?  Well it really depends on who asks.

A stay-at-home mom who loves being a stay-at-home mom:  I am at home with the boys.  I love being able to spend time with them and watch them grow up.

A stay-at-home mom that has sitters/daycare:   I am home with the kids but I think it’s great that Andrew goes to school 2 days a week.  It really helps him socialize.

A part-time working mom:  I am home with the kids. I was doing contract work but unfortunately they didn’t need me this year.  I am not sure if I’m going to look for another job or not.

A full-time working mom:  I was working but the non-profit no longer needed me.  I think that I’ll wait until after the summer and start looking for a job. 

Why you may ask do I change my answer?  Part of it is my lack of confidence in the decision to stay-at-home versus going to work.  Another part of it is because I never thought I would be a stay-at-home mom, especially after attending college and graduate school.  Yet another part is that, I worry that not having a job is going to turn my brain into mush. The final part is I feel like other moms often face the same dilemma and want to be justified in their decision in staying-at-home versus working.  Hmm… do you think I may be over thinking this?

So you may have heard any of the above but here is the truth:  I would like to have a part-time job.  I would like to do event planning or volunteer coordination 3 or 4 morning/afternoons a week.  So when that job comes along I will be a working mom but until then I guess I’ll be here battling the little monsters every day.