Alternately titled: No, I'm Not Pregnant.
Further titled: Bite Your Tongue.
It's no secret that I have Working Mother Woes. I talk quite frequently of the Mommy Guilt. And my (oftentimes hellish) commute into Boston.
But especially nowadays with the economy what it is, I actually consider myself lucky to be employed. There doesn't seem to be much else out there closer to home, with comparable pay. Trust me, I've looked. And interviewed. And had my hopes dashed once or twice.
Yet as the boyz continue to get older, me working so far away in Boston has become less and less desirable. Especially at the start of a brand-new school year.
So I've managed to work out a compromise.
Effective September 10, I will no longer be working on Thursdays (!!!!!! squee!!!!!)
I have successfully negotiated for a "flexible work arrangement" (which my company highly touts and promotes). I will be receiving 90% (as opposed to 80%) of my salary, which basically means I must work 2 regular days (8:45-4:45) and 2 longer days on Mondays and Wednesdays.
I can't tell you how excited I am.
To be able to put Eldest and Middle on the school bus and wave goodbye. To drive Baby to preschool and then to have 3 HOURS ALONE before I go back and pick him up. To have precious one-on-one time with Baby before his big brothers get off the bus. To make a family dinner every Thursday. To get groceries, do laundry and all the other household minutae that I am forced to do on weekends nowadays.
The best part?
That I'm not even taking a pay cut to be able to do this.
Between saving on commuting and childcare, we actually break even.
I couldn't be more thrilled.
32 comments:
Hooray! That's great!
Even if it still seems somewhat unbalanced, to me this is defining the "balance" mothers strive for. That's so great where you work was willing to work with you on this and without loss of pay.
I don't know how you commute to Boston everyday. Yuck, I am lucky I drive the 10 miles to my job.
Good luck
xx
Congrats! That is so great!
I recently switched my hours to 6:30 - 3 (with the understanding that I will be available by conference call until 5 if needed)
Love. IT.
Flexible schedules like yours and mine are what will keep a good workforce employed, in my opinion.
Enjoy your Thursdays!!
Congrats!!! Yipee!! I am happy for you and your family.
that is great news. love to hear that a company is actually helping a mom out !!!
That is awesome!
Congratulations. As a working mom too, I feel your pain!
Yeah for you!
Woooohooooo! Anything that makes you happy is worth it!
big ups on the flex schedule, my schedule is fairly flexible but it's still hard to manage with the kids some days.
That is awesome!!!
Congrats! That is awesome news! Flex scheduling rocks. I would love to go back to work but I do not think they are hiring a ton of preggos right now! Just found your blog and I am following!
That's wonderful!! I'm sure your boys will truly appreciate all the extra time with Mom :-)
This is FANTASTIC news!!!
That is GREAT! And inspirational to all of us who have no other choice but to work! Ahhh, to have three hours to yourself every week! Think of all the stuff you'll be able to get done!
That's GREAT!!!!! Congratulations...and enjoy your Thursdays!!!
Great news!
So will there be an increase or decrease in Blog Activity on Thursdays then?! ;-)
LBM xxx
That is great. Congratulations! Laundry during the week beats it on the weekend ANY day.
Let us know when Thursday becomes the busiest day of your week - I bet it's happens week two ;)
congratulations, that is great news!
(and ouch, my tongue hurts because I had to bite it!)
Yeah for your terrific Thursdays!! Don't be frustrated if you don't get everything done. Enjoy those boys!
Oh that is SOOO great! One-on-one time, alone time, family dinners....sounds like great news!
Congratulations!! A working-mom friend and I were having a 'grass is always greener' discussion today. Here's hoping!
WOW! That IS awesome news! YAY!!!!
yippppeee! long distance mommy power high five!!
Wow! Awesome news! Congratulations.
Awesome news Sarah...
That's wonderful! I hope this helps you find some of the balance you have been looking for.
Many, many congratulations!
Isn't it astonishing how much we miss those very aspects of the household routine (cooking, down-time, school pickups) once we can't have them?
I hope, very much, that the boyz' school decides to schedule *all* of their Parents' Nights, plays and concerts on Thursdays.
Awesome! When I go back full-time it's gonna have to be flexible since in my town, we do have full-day preK and K but EVERY Wednesday is a 1/2 day until 1st grade. I am nervous just thinking about how I'm going to work it all out. Good job mama!
That is awesome! I work four ten hour days and just LOVE having the extra day off to get things done so I can actually have quality weekend time with my boys. You are going to love it!
this is so awesome. its nice when life just comes together and works once.
ssssswwwwwweeeeeeetttttttt!!!!
I am so excited to read this. I love that. It's just to have that weekday at home . One day makes a huge difference for everyone! Yeah!
It is wonderful that your workplace offers some flexibility so that you can have more choice and control over your work-home decisions.
Enjoy your Thursdays!
Christie
http://childhood101.blogspot.com/
Squeeeeeeeeee indeed!! SO happy for you!!
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