With all of that being said, the last couple of years have (professionally) been challenging for me, mainly because of the obvious, precious time away from my growing little girl. We have made it work but emotionally, it has been tough for me & keeping it real, the thought of leaving two kids five days a week has been haunting me ever since the beginning of my second pregnancy. I really haven’t shared much about it for a lot of reasons, I like to focus more on the positive (which I have a whole lot of!) & I know there are a lot of people who do the exact same thing that I do (and more). Also, I know that the whole “working vs. SAHM mom” thing can be controversial and make people mad as hell. The bottom line for me is that no situation is easy & the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, even though it can sometimes feel that way. Ultimately, you have to do what is best for you, your kids, & your family. I am so, so, SO! thankful that we have found a situation that is best for us.
I will be going back to work next week as a part-time teacher, I will be working every other day, rotating between two & three day work weeks. This truly is a dream come true for me, words really can’t explain what a relief this is or how appreciative I am for the opportunity to be able to both stay home with my babies & to also stay teaching something that I love! 🙂 Yet this decision was certainly not one we came to easily. Things will change around here, obviously financially, & also, taking a different contract with my school system affects whether or not I will have a job the following year. I worked hard to get where I am both in my education and professionally, losing the job security I have is a hard pill to swallow. Yet ultimately, the thought of later regretting not doing everything I could to get more time at home with them outweighed everything else. I want to set the example for my girls that you can do whatever you put your mind to, this is something that I feel is right for our family right now & that I know I will make work. I am so thankful to my principal & my husband for believing in me and supporting me enough to do just that!
I can’t even believe that these two little girls are my new (part-time) bosses! I love them so! 🙂
 |
| Bows |
And because they are just too cute not to share, some photos from a birthday party we went to over the weekend. Waverly had the best time at the farm, she is truly our outdoor girl!
Yay!! Congrats to you on the new position! Truly the best of both worlds – your kiddos and students are very lucky! I would LOVE to teach part-time, but unfortunately, my district isn't too fond of job sharing and the logistics (daycare) would be really difficult anyway. Have a great {part time} school year, my friend!
Oh wow, how exciting for your family!!!! This sounds like just the perfect balance of working & staying home. So happy for you!
I am part-time too, and it is seriously the best of both worlds. I absolutely love my time home, but like getting dressed up and go to work a few days a week too! I am so happy for you and your family!
YAY, so happy for you, lady! I'm not a mom, yet, but I truly believe that you have to do what is right for your situation, who cares what anyone else things. So happy you've found your happy medium and will be able to be there for your girls and also be able to pursue your passion as well. Best wishes in your new venture, hope this year is filled with fabulous fashion and fun :)!
Thank you, thank you!!!
I feel like I could have written this post! In fact, I kind of did! Haha! HUGE congratulations to you! I totally understand every single point you're coming from. Totally nodding my head in agreement!! I am three days into part-time teaching and I am seriously LOVING it! I go in every day from 12-4, and my classes are 12:30-2:55. It's seriously a dream because I can spend the mornings with my girls and then get dressed up and do what I love. You are going to love this so much!! Congratulations!!
What a big decision! Congratulations! I bet your little ladies are going to be so happy to have you home more! How special!
It sounds like a great work schedule, though I understand the feelings of uncertainty for the next school year. I was on maternity leave last year from my preschool and it was the best year ever! Now we're in the midst of planning a move early next year and when I put feelers in for returning to work PT, they didnt have a place for me. Which TOTALLY worked out because now I can stay home with my babes! Everything will work out for the best! 🙂
I think part-time is the best of both worlds. Congratulations for being able to get that figured out. I am very jealous. 🙂
Congrats! You are lucky to work in a school that offers a part time teaching position! It really does sound like the best of both worlds!!
Congrats and good for you!! I love that you are doin what works best for your family! There is nothing wrong with moms who work or moms that stay home! I hate that there is a fight between it and people get so worked up. Both jobs are tough for their own reasons. You are soon what you feel is best for your family and that's all that matters!! Can't wait to hear how it's going. 🙂
Oh, Ashley, I am so, so thrilled for you. I've been thinking about you ever since we talked about this a while back. I know you were really struggling with what you were going to do, so seeing how this has worked out is just amazing!!! So proud of you:) You will love getting to spend this time with your kiddos!!!
Yay! This is SO EXCITING!!! xoxo
You will not regret staying home. I had every intention on going back to work after I had Brylee but as soon as we looked at daycares I lost my cool and we made the decision for me to stay home. It was harder to explain it to family I think than to decide to stay home because of the generation we are in. It was hard at first taking the loss of income, but my fiancé got a raise and with the cost of daycare we are actually better off this way now:) plus we have way more family time with each other now than when I was working before.
AGREED! If there is one thing I know for sure, I won't regret the decision. So glad it worked out for you, too! XO
Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity. I'm super encouraged to find someone who found a happy medium as that seems to be what may be in the cards for me as I'm expecting #2 this fall. Good luck with your new school year and I pray it's perfect for you and your family!
Congrats on baby #2! Sending happy vibes your way that something works out for you as well! XO
Such an exciting time for you! It's so great that it worked out where you are able to get to focus on both your family & the love for your career! That's wonderful!
How wonderful! I am so glad you are able to stay at home and teach part time! What a blessing! I've always thought if I could find a part time teaching job, I would snatch it up – so I could work a little and still be at home with my boys. I'm glad you are able to do this and I hope you have a wonderful year!
That just sounds wonderful and very comforting I'm sure to know you can have both. I'm hoping to do the same if/we we have another child. I work nights as a RN and oh I could go on for days about how emotional I get leaving for work sometimes. Thanks for keeping it real and being honest about consequences. I'd think it'd be totally worth it too.
I'm so happy you found a really great middle ground that works for you guys!
Congratulations, Ashley!! I'm glad you have found the perfect solution to your work/home situation. It sounds perfect!
Yay, congrats to your new position, are you teacher sharing this year? Awesome that it worked out. And those pink boots on W, to die for!
Yes, there will be another teacher coming in on the days I don't work. So glad that it worked out! And thank you SO much!
Congratulations!!!!I know how much you LOVE being home with your babies and how much you LOVE your job too so this seems like the perfect solution. I know your husband would support any decision you made but its so wonderful that your principal was so for it too! Although I'm sure he's unhappy to lose you as a full time teacher, he is probably thrilled to still have you part time.I can't wait to see what fun things are in store for this season of your life! I recently got a new job and while it's flexible, I've been working 5 days a week still. I honestly feel like I'd LOVE to have at least one day home with Mason, at least while he's still little and I could take him fun places (when it's not as crowded) and go on fun play dates. We'll see… maybe I can make it work too! XO
That is amazing. What a blessing to be able to do both. The best of both worlds!
Woohoo!! Congratulations to you! The best of both worlds!!
And, oh my – Waverly in her little boots with those animals. THE CUTEST!!
Congrats Mama! That sounds like the best of both worlds!!
I obviously totally understand!!! This is so awesome, congrats! If I could work part time, I absolutely would! Part time positions in education are hard to come by!
Thank you – so glad we can relate!!! 🙂
Oh Ashley, I am SO HAPPY for you!! I know how hard it was for you to leave Waverly every day so this truly sounds like the perfect solution! More time with your girls but you still get the outlet of teaching and doing something you love a couple days a week! Soooooo happy this worked out for you! It will continue working out for you, for the best!
So happy for you to take the leap of faith, and go for what your heart desires. I am so proud of you, as I know your girls will definitely be when they are older and look back at this! Good job! 🙂
Thank you!!!! That means so much, very excited!! 🙂
So exciting! I am not a mom (infertile couple here), but I KNOW on how hard/evil/mean the "mommy wars" are! I don't think ANY decision (SAHM, "working mom") is easy. You do what's right FOR YOU!! I think working part time is a great decision. In Canada, maternity leave is 1 year, so I am so sad when moms "have to" return back to work after only a few months! Have a great wknd, Ashley (I am also following you on IG)!