I know I already posted my “mommy Monday” moment, but like a few other followers, I could not pass up the chance to link up with a few other military wife bloggers. I love reading them and feeling a instant connection because we already have one thing in common. Eventually, I’d love to host our own link up on our little bloggy with other parents who blog about the special needs kids. It is just nice and comforting knowing that in this vastly immense world, you are not alone.
Ashley, at Eights on the Move, wants to know:
This MM’s topic is WORK:
As a military spouse/significant other, how are you able to contribute to your family? Do you have a full or part time job? Are you in the military too? Stay at home mom? Stay at home wife? Student?
In between, all of the above? Have you used any of the military programs designed to help spouses/significant others find jobs? Did you work before & decide otherwise because of moving/timing/orders? Do you wish you could work but can’t because of your particular circumstances in the military? Are you totally living it up with your dream job?!
My answer: I am household six. I am the cook, the chauffeur, the accountant, the nanny, the secretary, the teacher, the judge and jury, the maid, the doctor, the therapist and more. This is a full time job.; from scheduling therapists at our home 5 days a week to granting immunity to the child who who bit their sibling because their sister bit them first. I have recently decided to go back to school to finish my masters after we PCS from Hawaii. It is my hope that by then Hubs will have transferred his GI Bill to me and 2/3 of my kids will be in full day school. But at this point its more a dream than reality.
Prior to kids, I was a full time student and worked 40 hour weeks. I graduated in three years with my bachelors from UMSL (University of Missouri – St. Louis). I was luckily enough to accept a full time professional job a week prior to graduating. I went straight into working on my masters the next semester when I learned we were pregnant. Due to a horrible pregnancy, I decided that I couldn’t continue with my masters while working and dealing with the medical issues the pregnancy was bringing on. I also decided that I knew once we PCSed to our new duty station I would probably become a stay at home mom. And with losing one income and already buried under a mountain of student loans; decided it wasn’t worth the extra cost of obtaining a masters if I wasn’t going to be able put to it use and help pay it off at the time. I have been a full-time stay at home mom since 2008.
However, I realized at the time, I was not one for a life of boon boons and TV romances. I decided to keep doing what I loved and found volunteer work that helped get me out of the house, make friends and keep of my portfolio in the hopes of one day going back to the work force. Three kids, medical issues and 5.5 years later and I have realized that for now,this is my dream job. I can’t imagine not being here for my children when they get home from school, are sick (which is often), or to support them at the littlest of milestones. I know one day I will want that “out of home” experience again. But until then I feel fulfilled to volunteer in my field, surround myself with hobbies I enjoy, and love on my kids every day.
Hi Kelly! Thanks so much for linking up 😀 I LOVE that you went to school in StL – where I was born & raised! I can’t wait to read more from you!
Hubs and I were both born and raises there. We can’t wait to fly home for the holidays. Where about stl are you from?!