Working, SAHM-ing, and Re-evaluating "Putting My Career On Hold"

Well, it was fun while it lasted. These past eight months, I have thoroughly enjoyed being a full time SAHM. The opportunity to be with my sweet boy everyday, to watch him grow and develop, has been an immense blessing. I will cherish every second.

But hi ho, hi ho, off to work I go.

With our desire to aggressively diminish debt and hopefully continue to keep some home improvement momentum, Dan and I made the choice for me to go back to work. Thankfully, I am not totally giving up the SAHM gig.

Incredibly, I was able to find a position that offered hours every other week. Woot! Woot! I am still able to stay home with Ethan a full week at a time to allow me the ability to devote more time to him than always rushing to work.

So, yes, I am working part time and yes, because I am not holding the same position I held before Ethan's birth, one would say I "took a step back" in my career. I refuse to look at it that way. I made the decision to change my career path. My passion was no longer for spreadsheets, income statements, and the bottom line. I am passionate about the growth of my son. So my energies and efforts are for him.

I will use this season of my life to evaluate what I truly want to do, long term. I started on my career path when I was just seventeen. I had a good eight year run before I had Ethan and accomplished more than I could have imagined. But just because I had great trajectory doesn't mean I actually would have been happy or found fulfillment in where my career was headed.

After being home with Ethan, I have felt liberated. I know I have the ability {and the opportunity} to change what I call "work." I found that I am extremely interested in all the elements related to web development, including both coding and graphic design. This never would have been revealed if I hadn't had the opportunity to slow down and dabble.

Even putting aside new interests, I can entertain the idea of using the skill I have garnered in my accounting career and apply it in a manner that would be more fulfilling; whether that be starting my own business or supporting other small businesses. This is why I will never refer to my childbearing {and rearing} years as "putting my career on hold." Ethan and future children have afforded me the ability to pursue a growing passion.

This part time job could never be considered "career enhancing," but it is a cog in the engine that will help move our family towards more financial freedom. Hopefully, I can return to being a full time SAHM and continue exploring my interests. Interests that may eventually evolve into a career.  Only God knows the future, but I am excited to see it unfold.

Vi ses senare!
Emily