Starting a job

Tomorrow I start a part-time job!

This has been an interesting, twisting path! In the process of applying for the job that I described here, I realized again how insecure I had become during the last 11 years of stay-at-home momming, and yet how much volunteer work I have actually done during that time.

Through many conversations following the day of working on my resume, I decided to apply for work as a substitute teacher. This was my plan over a year ago, the last time my husband was unemployed. At that time I took the test that qualified me, along with my bachelor's degree, to work as a substitute in my state. By the time I had my test results, though, my husband was working and I had a kid in half-day kindergarten, so I decided to wait to begin working as a substitute.

I didn't really consider working as a substitute at the beginning of this school year because we had so many changes going on in our lives, it was hard to imagine handling the stress of on-again, off-again hours and last minute phone-calls for work. But we have adjusted to the changes, and with both my husband and I home, it's an easier time to consider trying this out.

Then last monday, on the morning that I planned to go find out about paperwork for substituting, the principal of my daughters' school approached me and asked me if I would like a job! Tomorrow I will begin working as a classroom aide in the 4th and 5th grade classes at our school. This job is only 12 hours a week through April, but that's really the perfect transition for me. I feel much more comfortable breaking into the "school working world" this way, than jumping in directly as a substitute. I may transition into substituting in May, after this job is over.

So right now I am enjoying one of my last quiet Monday mornings at home for the next 3 months! I feel very blessed! While this job doesn't come near "solving" our financial woes, I am learning that God can be very creative in how he works with us in these matters!