It's Sunday night as I write this, and the end of the weekend is looming. I've done the laundry, packed the lunches, tucked the kids in, and tidied up the kitchen.I've also packed my suitcase, set the alarm for way too early, and double-checked the schedule for the week.
I won't be home until Thursday.
Last month, I started a new job, which I love. What I don't love, however, is the 90-miles-each-way commute. We're in the process of selling the house and moving, but until that happens, I'm spending most of the week in the new city, and weekends at home, while the DH holds down the fort.
Regardless of how much planning went into this transition time, there are a few things I didn't anticipate.
1. Being out of the loop. For eleven years, I held down the fort at home, working part time (from home, and with flexible hours) while doing the mom job as well. It's odd to be the last one to know about school events, homework issues, and who got to see someone puke on the carpet during reading class. (Okay, I don't mind missing out on that one.)
2. Drive-time boredom. And I mean BOREDOM. It's too early to call anyone on the way to work (bluetooth only, I promise!), and the morning radio shows can only entertain me so far. I've started downloading audiobooks from the library, and that helps, but I'm not tolerating the commute well.
3. What am I going to wear? As I said before, until recently I was a part-time, work from home employee. Jeans and sweaters were my "dress-up" wardrobe. Now, I'm in administration, around grown ups all day, and have to dress accordingly. What's worse, I have to decide what I'm going to wear DAYS IN ADVANCE. When I'm staying up there overnight, I don't have the luxury of pawing through my wardrobe in the morning, muttering to myself until something jumps out at me. I have to PLAN. What I'm going to WEAR. This is highly traumatic and requires regular doses of chocolate.
But I'm managing. We all are. And in the long run, it will all be worth it.
Now, where did I put my contact lens solution again?
We did a similar thing 3 years ago. I started a new job in a new city, and for 3 months, I stayed in new city with my youngest (who was still nursing) solo parenting, and husband stayed at home with oldest, getting the house ready to sell.
ReplyDeleteIt was bloody hard - I'm not sure how we survived. It was worth it though. Job is good, love our new city, kids are happy, etc.
So glad it worked for you in the long run, kog! That gives me hope.
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