Working Mom

When I found out I was pregnant I was sure that it would be so easy to find a babysitter and head off to work everyday. What I didn't expect what the price of gas would skyrocket and the cost for daycare wouldn't be in my price range. Not only was it not in my price range but until you have a baby you don't realize that daycare doesn't watch a baby before they're at least three months old, many even older than that. That wouldn't be such a big deal if maternity leave generally lasted more than eight weeks leaving you a month of worrying what to do with your little miracle!

I did not stay at my job at the deli in a food store. As much as I thought I loved my job it wasn't worth leaving my baby for. That being said I need to make it clear that I had a job and NOT a career. I was working in a deli slicing meats and cheese, it wasn't exactly the dream I had for my future when I was a kid. Actually when I was a kid the only thing I ever wanted to be, besides a writer, was a mom!

It was a huge step of faith to leave my job, one that was assisted by the fact that my car transmission went. For a few months I just scraped by with my mom's help and then something amazing happened for us, my friend Rachel asked me to watch her happy little boy Sebastian!

This was better than I could ever imagine. Not only did I have a job that I can honestly say I loved but now our kids had built in friends. Since Sebastian was older than Kai he helped to improve her motor skills and they get so excited when they see each other. Its funny to watch them play together because they have such distinct personalities.

Sebastian is very chill. He is content to sit and play with whatever is in front of him and he is generally very happy. My daughter is the troublemaker. When I give them snacks Sebastian is fine with just eating them while Kai has to smash them into the floor. If Sebastian is quietly playing with a toy then Kai likes to go and grab it from him. Now I'm not just being hard on my daughter, she's going to be a sneaky one.

Last time we were hanging out with Sebastian she was throwing a fit because he kept taking her sippy cup and she didn't want to share. I took it from him and gave it back to her because it was her milk cup. Then while I was watching her she walked over to where he was sitting watching his show and dropped the cup at his side, then she turned to look at me and gave out a cry like he had just ripped it out of her hands. I couldn't help but laugh but she didn't think it was funny when I didn't tell him no for taking her bottle.

I have so much respect for the moms who entrust caregivers with their kids everyday so that they can provide for them. It is a hard thing to do, to get ready and say goodbye to a piece of your heart everyday when you go to work. I am lucky that I get to spend the days with my daughter and I'm even more lucky that Rachel entrusts precious Sebastian into my care. I am a working mom, working at making the lives of these amazing little kids as fun and happy as it can possibly be!