The Pura Vida Mommy: August 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

No More Work

So Tuesday August 23 was my last day of work, YIPPEEE!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I really liked my job (loved it actually). I was happy with my work load, happy with my hours, happy with the pay, just plain happy. I did not like my boss and I did not like the restrictions, but I did genuinely like my job. However, I knew I would not be at the job forever. I had bigger dreams to fulfill so it was a 'just for the meantime' kind of job. I initially wanted to put in 6 months then move on, but I changed my mind. I decided I would stick it out for however long until either I found something a million times better or my boss fired me. Whichever came first!

The job in itself was pretty decent. I had set hours but I had flexibility. I was working but I was also home with my kids. I liked how laid back my supervisor was about me taking the time to attend school events, run errands and take my kids to their appointments. Hours missed could easily be made up and my position was so laid back, I was able to take a few breaks here and there to get household chores done. I would work 2 weeks straight at a time without a peep from my boss, which was definitly a plus.

But my boss is an interesting person, to say the least. He was just plain rude and downright lacked business etiquette. He was so hard to deal with when he was upset and would get impatient about small mistakes. He hardly checked my work and would ask me the same questions or ask me to do the same tasks more than once. He got so rude with me a few times, I was thisclose to quitting; but I figured the benefits of the job far outweighed his ugly attitude, so I stayed. Besides I could deal with him on occasion... if I had to deal with him daily, I think it would have been a different story. I might have quit months ago!

Anyway, not sure what transpired, but after not being able to get in touch with him for a week (phone calls to his phone went unanswered and messages on his voicemail went unreturned), he finally called me. The call lasted maybe 5 minutes, if that. He informed me that my position was going to be 'suspended' until further notice. He decided to put the content writing for the website (essentially what I do) on hold for now and if I was OK with that. I was more than OK with that, albeit a little shocked as it came out of left field, but OK nontheless. Seven and a half months in, and I feel good leaving my job on a positive note.

This "lay off" could not have come at a better time. I felt I was good with the job but I started to struggle daily about my decision to work. I wanted my stay at home mom life back: I hated having to ask someone for permission to go anywhere. I hated that I had to request time off. I longed for my time back, when I could come and go as I pleased and do what I felt like doing on any given day. I hated checking the clock every time I was away from my computer, making sure to rush home in time to get back to work. I hated not having the time to go grocery shopping during the early daytime hours or running errands without time limits. I guess in short, I was not ready for the working world.

While working at home is the best of both worlds, I think for now, I'll take the financial hit and just spend these precious moments with my kids, instead of in front of a computer working the hours away.

I am looking forward to going back to work when all 3 kids are in school though and I thank this job for getting my feet wet. Hey, I may even go back to this job one day. If and when my boss decides to get back to the content writing for his website and re-hires me, I just might accept. I guess I am on an indefinite 'sabbatical' from work. And I am going to enjoy it. : )