I Quit!

Today was a big day for me.  I quit my job. Those who know me are probably wondering WTF? since I haven't actually been going to a job since LG was born.

I went on leave before LG was born and I haven't been back since. Thankfully my school district is awesome and I have had a 3 year leave of absence. Next year (2008-2009 school year) I either have to go back or quit.

In all honesty, each year I put in a letter requesting to come back part time to see what is available. Then I check out the job listings. Next I check on how much money it is to have full time day care or a nanny and think, "No way!" "There is no way in hell that I am going to pay someone that much money to raise my child when I can do it myself." If teaching paid great money that would be a different story but I would be working to pay someone to raise my kid. No thanks.

Of course, this year I put in the same note about working part time. HR let me know that I could work part time but that I would lose my tenure and become a temporary teacher. I wasn't happy about that but

then again, I think I knew that I wasn't going to go back anyway. After a few more emails I learned that I could leave the district and if I got hired back within 3 years I would regain my tenured status. That folks is amazing!

Some of my teacher friends are dying right now. Lot of teachers only get a one year leave. Here I am 3 years later and I can come back and keep my status! I have been told over and over that my district is always hiring so getting a job back won't be a problem.

The new letter was put in today.  It is officially over. There is something so terrifying about it. Sure, it would be nice to have extra money to hire someone to give me a break now and then. To be able to do more to our house. Travel more. Shop more. You get the point.

I am not always happy in this role of a stay at home mom. It is a daily struggle for me. I chose this role. I have always wanted to be able to stay home since my mom couldn't do that. I never realized how hard it would be. Never realized how rewarding it could be.

Work will always be there but LG will only be this little once!

Posted on Silicon Valley Moms Blog, a version of this post originally posted on Freitas Family Follies