To Work or Not to Work

As many of you know, I have been looking for a teaching job since I earned my degree at the end of 2009.  As much as I'd love to just be a stay-at-home-mom, I worked really hard for that degree!  Extra money is always nice, too, especially now that we are looking at houses.
In late July Jeff called me from work, all excited.  A job had opened up in his company for a receptionist, and they wanted to hire me on as a temp!  I was hesitant because that meant full-time daycare for Bethie as well as quitting my tutoring job, which I loved.  Jeff was adamant that we needed this, though, so I started the next day.

The work was easy and the people were very friendly, and I have to admit that it was nice being around adults all day.  I thought I was really going to enjoy the job, despite the rather difficult adjustment to being away from Bethie.  Almost immediately, though, I started having physical problems.  My legs were swollen from the knee down for over a week straight, and so I was having to come home and put my feet up every night while Jeff managed dinner and Bethie.  I finally adjusted to the walking and the swelling went away, but then I was beset with hip pain.  That scared me, because I've dealt with bursitis twice now, and it is terribly painful. 

I started using my crutches, but that only started my other hip hurting.  I get what are called "overuse injuries", so when I stopped bearing weight on the one side, the other side got injured that much faster.  I talked to my supervisor who was very understanding, and I was able to stop walking around so much during the day.  Still, it was very difficult for me, and we were starting to see that working full-time may not be an option for me anymore.

Finally, after nearly a month of work, I reached my limit.  The pain in my hips was not getting any better even with a cortisone shot.  I was taking prescription painkillers every night, and I was miserable.  Besides that, Bethie was tired and cranky every night, and instead of being the happy, loving little girl we knew, she was whining and crying every night.  When I woke up this past Sunday and could hardly walk, we knew it was time to call it quits. 

I've been home again this past week with Bethie, and I'm doing much better.  I am still in pain, but it's a little less every day.  I'm also able to sit and rest a lot more, and Bethie is now old enough to understand that Mommy needs to sit down sometimes.  Bethie has reverted to her old self now that she is back in her normal routine, and Jeff is happier all around.  He has his happy girls back, and there's always clean laundry and dinner waiting for him!

I will resume tutoring in September, and I am applying for disability.  I hate to do that, but I also know that for me, working full time is no longer a reality.  I will still pursue teaching jobs in the hopes that I could arrange my classroom in such a way as to be able to sit more, and I am hoping to take on more tutoring hours. 

So, after a brief foray into the life of a working mom, I am very glad to be back where I started.  Watching Mickey Mouse and playing dress up may not be for everyone, but it works for us!