I've Been Hired

Today was my first day at my new job. I'm happy about it. I'm not wild about leaving Cannon (even if it is just for a few hours each day), but this is the best thing for our family right now.

I've been looking for a job for awhile. I applied to so many different jobs (full and part time) and had a few interviews, but nothing felt right. I thought that I would probably look for something at a really nice child care center so I could take Cannon with me. I was offered a full time position at a nice center, but I turned it down. I just had a bad feeling. They even called me back to try to negotiate! I finally came across something that I knew would be a perfect fit. I applied, but didn't hear back from them for awhile. I prayed that I would at least get an interview. Well, I got the interview and I got the job! So what is it? I am a parent educator for a substance abuse facility for women. This means that I will be working 20 hours a week (generally Mon-Fri 4-8). This facility allows clients to bring up to two children (under the age of 6) to stay with them while they are receiving inpatient treatment. The kids attend a nearby child care center while the moms attend their classes and therapies. My job will be to help them learn how to be a parent including discipline, attachment, play, nutrition, sleep, and anything else they need help with. I will also train the evening and weekend staff on child development and such since they are lacking education in that department. I will also teach a parenting class once a week and do lots of other things too. There are a lot of changes going on at this facility and they said my position is a first of its kind and still a work in progress. It all sounds fun and challenging!

I spent a full day there today just training and going to meetings. I was amazed at how my mind was flooded with ideas to help the program! I am really excited to get to work! Kylene was so nice to watch Cannon for me today and I have to admit that I was so busy that I didn't think about him until after several hours had passed. Of course on the way home I couldn't wait to see him! I feel really lucky that I still get to spend most of the day with him, even though I will be giving up some family dinners and bedtime. I am excited about sharpening my professional skills and being able to help other families and children. I thought about my salary from this job compared to the one at the child care center. When you factor in that I would have had to pay a portion of Cannon's child care (50% discount for employees), I am still making more money working part time than if I would have taken the full time child care job. And I get to spend more time with Cannon. During work today I had a feeling that this is where I am supposed to be working. It's a peaceful feeling to know that you are doing the right thing.

Even though it's a little bit thrilling to leave this tantrumming toddler into the hands of another caring adult, I'm sure the novelty will wear off eventually. I am a little bit nervous about leaving him on a regular basis since I have never done that before, but I'm sure we'll get used to it. I am starting to get that sinking feeling inside, oh man I have to work tomorrow, but it's all psychological. That's just the lazy side of me coming out! I'll have to be more diligent in keeping up with my daily chores to make sure everything gets done. But mostly, Cannon and I will have lots of fun times together each morning.