Transitions

 
Today was take my daughter to work day, and also my last day in this career for the time being and my first day as an Official SAHM (Stay-at-home-mom), which brings on much sadness, ambivalence, relief, and gratitude. I have worked for Waverly Children's Home in a variety of capacities for five years, and while one constant was the headache of working in community mental health, with its excessive caseloads and meager funding, the other was the worthy (and sometimes almost impossible) challenge of providing good services within those parameters. Waverly was a good place to accept that challenge, I think. I learned a lot and went from green as grass to fairly seasoned in children's mental health. I obtained my license and worked with wonderful colleagues.

Now I'm green as grass in the field of motherhood. The challenges are different, yet similar. I was musing to my boss (who is expecting a baby in September) that during Anneke's naps I often feel like I have a multiple choice test for what to do next: a)clean the house b)fold the laundry c)put my feet up d)dink around on the computer. She laughed and said it's just like when you have a no-show at work. At any rate you have to make the most of your time. Lately I'm realizing the best way to do that is to take the advice from so many more seasoned parents: drink it in, because it goes by fast.

I love my career and look forward to returning to the field, but am so grateful for this interlude. Still,my stomach was in knots today as I drove out to show Anneke to my co-workers; I didn't really want to face the reality of saying goodbye. Once I got there it felt like I had never left. I picked up where I left off twelve weeks ago, and then packed up my things and moved out of my office. Whatever the next phase is, I'm so glad to have spent the last one where I did.