When I was young, people constantly were asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up.
My most common answer, a Mommy, was always met with either a “isn’t THAT nice” type response or…”but WHAT do you want to BE”…as in…a CAREER…that PAYS!
I could never stick to a career path in college.
I changed my major as fast as I changed crushes.
Once minute I was an archeology major, then a psychology major, then…an elementary education major.
Then…
I dropped out.
Got married. Which is not WHY I dropped out of college.
And…
Became a MOMMY. Just like I told everyone who asked…is what I wanted to be when I grew up.
A Mommy of 2. Then 4. Then 5. Kids.
It was/is…a full time, all consuming, piss poor paying JOB. It has it’s rewards. Definitely. It has it’s drawbacks…FOR SURE.
But…it’s what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Then problem is…
The kids are growing up.
They didn’t stay babies. Or toddlers. Or preschoolers…
Next year, four of them will be in middle school.
And my youngest will start kindergarten. And that is full time at our school.
My job requirements are not the same.
It’s become a little less than a full time job.
And now, I’m left with this same question from many years ago…
As I’m looking in the mirror…
And a 40 year old, middle aged woman is staring back at me…
wondering…
What am I going to be now that my kids are almost grown up?
OMG! I’m in a similar spot. I’ve got 1 in high school, 1 in middle school, 2 in elementary school and one toddler. I’ve already started thinking the same thing. What am I going to do once my son is in school? I’m thinking of going back to school, but as are going through, I don’t know what I want to be…
Guess now is the time to explore all our options, doncha think?
we can still be mommies! just think of it as vacation leaveLOL
Make or Break
You’re still a mommy. Always will be. And they will still need you, even though they are away a bit longer in the day.
Besides, it’s like having a bit of seniority. You finally get a lighter work load….for a while 🙂
I always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. An actress. I got poo pooed out of that one. (Do something PRACTICAL. Which for me has become an obscenity.)
Like you, I changed majors a number of times. I did graduate. Got a job, got a couple of other jobs. Went to grad school. Got another job. And others.
Finally I gave up and at age 41 started having kids.
The Queen starts kindergarten in August (all day here as well). DeBoy won’t start for another 2 years.
Then it’s time to find another job. Probably more of the same boring stuff I was doing for the previous 20 years.
Um. Sorry, this wasn’t supposed to be about me.
I think I agree with the others. The Mommy job is the same, but the job description changes. You get to be a room mother, and do sports things, and . . . and . . . and . . .
same job, different duties as assigned.
I always wanted to be a mommy when I grew up too, it hasn’t happened yet. I have to go register my oldest for Kindergarten tomorrow, how does this happen & why is time going so fast?
I gave you an award on my page!!! Yipee! http://greer5intexas.blogspot.com/2009/02/bitchin.html
I’m right there with ya too sista! I got one who will turn 20 in six months. Looks like I might be a grandma when I grow up….. maybe not. HA!
I’m in the same dang boat as you. My youngest started kindergarten this past fall and I’m 35. It’s time for me to get on with myself, right?
I thought for sure I’d have a lot of free and bored time on my hands, but honestly? I don’t. I volunteer at my kids’ school a lot. I work more on my writing. 3 o’clock gets here before I know it. I do find myself getting cabin fever, though, but I keep saying the right job will come along when it’s the right time. I’m not driving the bus!
You are going to be a sane person again. Who is going to counsel me on dealing with bratty (really nice), selfish (such caring) children!!!!
This is an interesting post. I never did figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up – found myself being a mom – and then just fell into the world I live in now. Never planned it, if I’d had to plan something I’d probably be still sitting there wondering what I wanted to be/do.