I Really Like My Work thread

[LittleBattleAxe]

I wanted to start a thread for parents who really enjoy their career/job. I do. I like getting up, going to work, interacting with people, contributing financially, knowing I'm making good use of my education, and coming home feeling like I've done something meaningful with my day. (This isn't to say that being a SAHP isn't meaningful -- but this thread is for those of us who enjoy working out of the home)

I'll also say that I don't HAVE to work, for financial reasons, but I feel like I'm a better me when I'm working. Anyone else?

[KSLaura]

Hmmm...no response yet?

Well, I like me job pretty well when I'm here. I like solving problems at work. I also like interacting with my co-workers. There's definately a sense of satisfaction in bringing home a paycheck.

I can't say that I love getting up in the morning (4am is when the alarm goes off). I DO have to work for financial reasons, but I LOVE that I am contributing to society with meaningful work.

[MamaChicken]

I love my job. I design and oversee construction of transportation projects and I love that I have tangible evidence of my job. I am using my education to it's fullest and am the primary source of income for the family. I am exausted most of the time but I still look forward to going to work.

[widemouthedfrog]

I love my job. I design and teach programs at a nature center, run a garden mentorship program, and write. I am also founding a forest school. I love being able to exercise my passions every day, whether paid or unpaid.

[Ceinwen]

I'm a trauma nurse. I love my job.

Sometimes I wish I could work less, but I love my job.

I went to school for a long time, and worked very hard to attain my profession.

It's exciting, rewarding, and pays really damn well.

[LittleBattleAxe]

YAY! So good to hear from others. I went into my profession because I have a real passion for it, even though it doesn't pay much. From time to time I've toyed around with going to work in a business environment -- I have a lot of skills that would be helpful and have worked in an office setting before. I would definitely make more money. Ultimately though, I don't think I would love that the way I love what I do (I'm a teacher). Of course with any job there are headaches, but overall I have to say I'm super satisfied with my career choice.

[sewchris2642]

Sorry, I was helping my son clean his room. Sunday is my one day off. I love what I do and the people I work with. I do have to work; what I bring home makes up half of our income. I have the freedom to make my own hours, decide on the order in which my work gets done (within reason and still make deadline), have great flexibility, can take my son to work if needed. Down side is that I'm under paid and get no benefits, paid time off, or vacation pay. But to get those I'd have to give up the flexibility, hours, and family friendly atmosphere. Which I'm not willing to do. They are too important to me to exchange for better pay and benefits. I work at home full time as a dressmaker, mainly sewing historical clothing, and pt at a bridal shop doing alterations. The bridal shop is like one big family which is why I can't bear to totally give it up. I'm down now to only 2-3 hours a week and available on call depending on my schedule.

[Sierra]

I have posted on other threads that I have trouble finding balance and also emotional energy for work. But don't get me wrong, I like my work.

I work in family ministry/religious education. I love religious work. I love that what I do makes a difference in the lives of families and children. I love that I get paid to think about deeper questions. I love the opportunities for challenge. I love the creativity I get to express in my work, and that it is valued when I "think outside the box." I love all the families, and especially the kids for whom I get to create ministries. And I adore the people with whom I work.

I do need to work. I am the "breadwinner" in my family, but I feel grateful for my calling. And my work, while not a high paying career, has many other benefits. Like another poster, I have some freedom to make my own hours (not completely, but somewhat). I also get to decide on the manner (and order) in which my work gets done, within reason as long as I make deadlines. I have lots of flexibility and can take my kids to work with me if needed (where they have lots of toys and a Montessori classroom where they can go to "do work"). I get benefits including paid time off.

Are there downsides to my work? Absolutely! Isn't there downsides to everyone's work? But there are enough upsides that I can honestly say I like my work. And for a long time, it was definitely my passion and the calling I had and what I was meant to be doing...now that's in transition a bit, but my calling isn't far off, I just need to make some adjustments.

[P.J.]

Love is a very strong word, but I really really like my job a LOT!!! I teach English as a second language to adults, and I love interacting with so many different types of people. I also work for a wonderful small school with really interesting and fun coworkers, several of whom have become friends over the years. Plus I'm always learning a lot about the culture I'm in (German) from conversations in class about comparing the two cultures.

Before I became a mum I would not have guessed I'd feel ready to go back to work so soon...but it looks like I will be back, at least very part-time, in a couple months when my son'll be just 4 or 5 m.o. I feel like I'm a better mom and can be more present for my baby when I have a little time away from him, and time interacting with adults. I do not HAVE TO work for the money, but I WANT TO for the interaction and intellectual stimulation it provides. As long as my baby is either with his dad, aunt or a trusted childcare giver and I know he's in good hands, I can relax and enjoy my work.

[waiflywaif]

I like my work. I'm in publishing (a management position) and sometimes I get all tingly when I make major financial/creative decisions. I'm like wow, that's going to happen because of me! I work with good people and I have a lot of flexibility (including working from home in my pajamas one day a week).

[physmom]

I think, I've found that now that DD is past the I NEED YOU EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE STAGE that I'm enjoying work so much more! Her first year was rough and I really doubted if I was cut out for the WOHM life but yet I also wasn't happy being a WAHM/SAHM. Now I'm back to work and I feel so much happier in general, I'd even go on to say that DH and my relationship hasn't been this good since before DD was born! I'm not sure how much it is me working and also DD being older and more independent. She's also much more communicative, which also makes home life easier.

But for me, I think I like the adult conversations, I like feeling productive and using my degrees. I do hate having DD away from me and that's really my biggest struggle. When I was school age my step-mom used to bring me to work with her often during the summers and I always loved that. I hope to do that with DD someday too once she's old enough (we've tried occasionally now but I wasn't able to work at all).

Unfortunately, we're still not sure what my working status will be in the future. I have a job until Oct (it's on a contract) and depending on a number of things I might start working again in the new year but, again, it depends on too many things to say for sure. I'll be sad if I don't get to work anymore in at least some capacity. In many ways I see myself as so much more patient with DD and more willing to play with her when I'm home than when I've been a SAHM.

[GuildJenn]

I like my work as a web editor for a magazine a lot. I was at home for over a year with my son and my husband was just commenting yesterday "you were going crazy" - and it's true. I love my son tons! I just missed my job too.

[bestjob]

I was a SAHM for over a decade, and then I was working two part-time jobs that involved a lot of commuting and even more unpaid work for 6 months.

Then... I got a dream fulltime job. It's a 15 minute walk (3 minute drive... I still have to get the kids to their activities!) from my home. It is interesting, challenging, and the hours are super-flexible.

I'm off for the summer (I work at a private school) and I'm loving being home but I also can't wait for the first of September and the return to adult conversations about how to accomplish interesting goals.

Yes, I love my job.

[LittleBattleAxe]

It makes me so happy to read all the posts -- I know as a mama who practices attachment parenting, I have friends irl who think that I shouldn't work. I just feel like I am a better person -- better mom, better wife, etc -- when I am working. I know not everyone feels like that -- but if I'm honest, that's where I am. I have been on summer break and go back to work fulltime this week -- so excited to meet new people and get ready for when the students return. It's just so NICE to have a place where I can go and talk with other professionals about things that matter to me -- things might bore other people to tears

[Qestia]

I love my work, I'm in college administration. I've been a working parent at a variety of colleges now and have found extremely flexible supervisors. My current supervisor is going to allow me to work "full-time" while leaving at 2 every day starting this fall in order to pick my DS up from school when he starts K. I love using my brain, I love working for a greater good (I consider colleges to be in this category), I love that my kids will get free tuition here someday. That said, things could be different but I've also been blessed in terms of childcare, my kids have loved the care I've put them in -- if tat hadn't worked out I'm sure I would be more conflicted, but they love going to "school".

[~ Wonderful Life ~]

I love my job as well! I love it even more now because I was promoted last week

I am the sole breadwinner and my DH is a SAHD. I love that I am providing for my family and my DH has the freedom to follow his passions and not be limited by having to work.

I also really like my boss and my team...they are mature, dedicated professionals that display the same level of passion and dedication that I do.

[CI Mama]

Originally Posted by ~ Wonderful Life ~

I love my job as well! I love it even more now because I was promoted last week

Congratulations!

I love my job. I work in theater management, and my office is in the backstage. Since I was 10 years old & got a child's role in our local production of The Nutcracker, I've always thought that theaters were magical! So it's really amazing that now I spend my work life inside a theater.

I help people put on events that they care about & I help maintain an infrastructure that supports artists & their work. I get to observe audiences having a great time, and it makes me feel good to know that I had a role in helping that happen. I learn new things all the time. I have a degree in arts administration, so I'm putting that to use. I like my colleagues & I get to meet a lot of interesting people. I don't earn big bucks, but I have great benefits.

My daughter comes to visit me & have lunch on Thursdays, and she gets to run around the backstage when there's nothing going on. It makes me happy to introduce her to the world that I love and care about so much.

[*MamaJen*]

I love my job. I've been a journalist for the last seven years (now in editing/management but still writing plenty).
I love the people I work with, I love that I'm constantly learning and using my brain, I love that I write for a living, I still love seeing my byline in print, and I love that I have an influence on my community. I love that I win a lot of awards and get professional kudos for what I do. I do appreciate the respect that I get from my job.
I'm actually going back to grad school for public policy this fall, and it is hard to step away from reporting. I'll still be at the paper about 10 hours a week. I'm going to grad school because I'm really interested in policy (and also because I want to make more money than journalism). But I'm not going as a way to get out of my current job.
I don't think I would make a very good SAHM. I feel like it would be a real struggle for me not to feel isolated, even if we were constantly doing things out of the house. And I really enjoy having a career that I'm proud of. I like having a body of work I can look back on with pride.
And of course, my ex doesn't contribute financially, so I do need to work.
I think I'm also a terrific and very engaged and loving mother to a wonderful son who is turning out great. He actually came to the office with me for the first six months, and he's always welcome at the office. It's a really family friendly place.

[BookGoddess]

Originally Posted by LittleBattleAxe

I wanted to start a thread for parents who really enjoy their career/job. I do. I like getting up, going to work, interacting with people, contributing financially, knowing I'm making good use of my education, and coming home feeling like I've done something meaningful with my day. (This isn't to say that being a SAHP isn't meaningful -- but this thread is for those of us who enjoy working out of the home)

I'll also say that I don't HAVE to work, for financial reasons, but I feel like I'm a better me when I'm working. Anyone else?

I love my job.

I work for a government agency.

I love my supervisor. He's a kind, gentle man with a good sense of humor. I haven't ever seen him lose his temper. He treats everyone the same which is remarkable if you knew some of the other supervisors I've had in the past in this organization.

I like my co-workers. There's no office drama or office politics.
Before I transferred to my current position in this dept, I worked in a different section of the same organization where the the office politics was unbearable. Favoritism was rampant. Gossip and self-appointed monitors were common. I don't see any of that in this dept. People are professional. We come to work, do our thing, and we go home. People are polite, but not overly involved in other people's business.

I live in a state where the cost of living is astronomical. You can't buy a home here for less than $350k. I need to work and DH needs to work. However, even if I didn't have to work for financial reasons, I would want to work. I know myself well enough to know I like working outside the home. When I stayed home for several months during my maternity leave, there was a part of me that missed my job. I felt isolated and all the days kind of meshed together. I really didn't know what to do with myself during the day. I enjoy my career. I've been doing it for over 10 years. I'm good at it. I have good benefits and a decent commute. My supervisor gives me two weekdays off every month and I'm paid for those days.

I come from a line of women who worked outside the home. When I was growing up, my mom worked outside the home as did my aunties and both of my grandmothers. I grew up seeing all my female family role models balance work and family so it seems very natural to me.

[RaeDyCo]

I love my job. I have a very specific job (that is hard to explain) for a large insurance company.

My supervisor is amazing, the best boss I have ever had. He treats our team with respect, values all our opinions and empowers us to do the best job we can do with minimal direct supervision (I work in a different city so it is nice not to be micro-managed).

My job is challenging, engaging and fun. My team is the best group of people.

I am on mat leave right now and though I love being home with the boys, I can't wait to get back to work and use my brain!