I have to admit, I had a lot of trepidation about joining the paid workforce. The week before starting I had a little crisis of confidence, about the work and how my kiddos would handle the change. Thankfully, all went well after my mini freak-out. I’m finding some unexpected benefits too. Here’s the list of my freak-outs and benefits:

Freak-Outs:

Technology – It’s been awhile since I worked with different databases. When I sat down to figure out the new systems, it was harder than I remembered. But thankfully, this is the age of youtube tutorials, IT help desks, and friends and families with great database experience. After a long weekend, I was back up to speed.

Loss of Professional Knowledge – I was concerned my break from work meant I wasn’t current on the latest health trends and topics in the field. While I haven’t been implementing health program for the last five years, I didn’t lose my passion for health. I actually had more time to read up on the latest research as a SAHM, and didn’t realize this until I started lesson planning. Once I got over my freak-out, I saw that I was selling myself short by not realizing how I kept my professional knowledge up to date.

Interacting Professionally – I was seriously worried I would slip into “mommy talk.” However, I found myself back in work mode on day one. It was like I never left the office.

Kiddos – Even though I work part-time, I teach in the mornings, and I miss sending BeBe off to Kindergarten a few mornings a week. I see her in the evening, but it took a little more getting used to for her. It helps that it’s grandma waking her up. We also got a taste of preparing clothes and lunches the night before. No more lazy mornings! And our little guy seems perfectly happy to spend time with grandma.

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Benefits:

First paycheck – Woot, Woot! It’s a small paycheck, but after unpaid labor for five and half years, I felt like throwing dollar bills around like a rock star.

Perspective on my kids – My son and daughter both learn differently. I’m obviously worried about how my son will progress in school because of all the developmental delays he has faced (due to his congenital heart defect). However, meeting these amazing students, and watching how they engage in learning material differently and succeed has put my mind at ease.

More patience –  When I interact with my son, in the back of mind is the pressure to work on milestones and development. It wears on you after a while. Having this brief break re-energizes me to play and enjoy the rest of our day together.

Distraction – I don’t think my laser focused on my son’s development is always a good thing. This semester, it’s been nice not to google one more method for helping with speech, and instead, come up with an interesting activity for a lesson plan.

Unflappable –  Something about being a mom has made me unflappable. The little things that I would have been concerned with just roll on by now. The second day of class the technology in the room didn’t work, and I had spent all this time organizing and interactive media lecture/activity. I just laughed and rolled with it until the tech people fixed it. Once you face exploding diapers in restaurants, epic tantrums in Target, and daredevil children at the playground, everything else is easy.