I'm only half serious about this idea, which came to me as I thought about my new relationship to work and what it means to me. It's probably more of a one-off post than a regular feature but I'll see where it goes...
I have always worked and always enjoyed working. I started babysitting at age 10, helping out my much-more-responsible older sister. When I was 13 I looked forward eagerly to getting my working papers so I could have a "real" job. Why, I don't know, because by that time I was already pulling in a decent income with my own babysitting jobs. I have had all sorts of jobs over the years: mowing lawns, retail, the hired companion of an elderly lady, event photographer, photography editor, department store product demonstrator, pub quiz score keeper, office worker, model, ice-cream scooper, and life coach. And that doesn't even begin to get at the jobs I've held in my professional career of librarianship--including jobs in libraries as well as editorial and writing jobs, teaching in graduate library programs and facilitating workshops. Then, of course, there's being a mom.
Suffice it to say I like being productive. When asked how I felt about taking a leave from my job I would always explain to people that I've basically been working since I was 14, and was looking forward to the break. Now that I have actually made the break I realize that that's not exactly true. I am still working, just in different ways from how I have before.
I'm not just talking about keeping a household, but that is part of it. I look at keeping a household differently now, certainly. I look at it as more of a job. And, since I'm more focused I definitely do a better job at it. I'm talking more about categories of work beyond the work for pay/work you don't get paid for dichotomy. Currently, I'm not getting paid for any of my work in the traditional sense. I make sure we eat and have a reasonably clean home and clothes to wear, and sure, I guess in exchange for that I don't want for anything. But I don't think Peter would chuck me out if I suddenly gave up doing the laundry or grocery shopping or started buying prepared foods exclusively.
Perhaps it's a "work that's intellectual/work that's not intellectual" dichotomy I'm contemplating, as opposed to thinking about work as only something you get paid for. There is also other work I do, work that's infinitely more satisfying than the household stuff. Work that is intellectual. For instance, I recently submitted some proposals for online learning modules sponsored by a library organization. A lot of proposals. It took a significant amount of mental bandwidth to organize my thoughts and pull the proposals together, not to mention navigating the technical glitches of the online submission process. Then I applied for a part time temporary job in in the library of a local international school. And then there's the reading I'm beginning to do; both background reading for an organization which will hopefully have some work for me come the new year, but also just keeping up with my field so that when I do return to the States I'll still be effective in a field I love. I was compensated for none of this, but it was all pretty satisfying.
My new relationship with work has more to do with pursuing a meaningful contribution than pursuing money. I feel really fortunate that I have the opportunity to discover that.
I've been defining and redefining my relationship with work for the past couple of years. I had also worked since I was a kid, through college jobs, first baby, second kid, and on. Now that the girls are tween 'n teen, I've been mostly grateful for the break in my out-of-home working. I consider my real job to be from the time they come home from school until they go to bed, and like any job, some days are easier than others. Sometimes they barely need anything at all. Other times I'm running them all over the area on completely different schedules while helping pull together a costume for a Mongolian princess. The thing is, without having to work I am so much more patient and relaxed for this sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteBut all that said, I really miss working outside the home and would love that part-time job you're looking at. Perfect hours, small commitment, fun job. Sigh.
MotherReader: Nice way to think of it, that your "job" starts when the kids return home. I've decided to adopt that, since it's much more important than washing the floor. The new attitude means I'm much less inclined to turn on TV after school, which is better for everyone.
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