It’s ironic that I was writing about the topics of returning to work after having a child, because last week I was contacted by my former employer and asked to return to work.  I could write my own schedule, work weekends and odd hours if I wanted, just so I would come back and do some of the things I used to do when I was employed full time.

Well at first I was completely flattered and my ego swelled up to at least ten times its normal size.  I hadn’t even considered going back to work until that little yellow school bus pulls up in front of the house for a full day of school for the boys.  It’s such a good feeling to be wanted, and an even better feeling to know that you did something positive in your career that has been missed since you’ve been gone.  I felt really good about myself.

And then I started to think about why I quit my job in the first place – my children.  I did not give up this job in order to leave my children in part time day care or in child care, I quit my job so one of us would be with them full time.  Once you have made up your mind to quit it’s hard to think about changing it.

I talked with my husband about the situation and he thought I might be crazy to give it up.  I could write my own schedule, and since he has the option of flex time he can write his own too.  That means one of us would still be with the boys full time.  The job is close to my house, so I can work up to 15 minutes before bedtime and still be home to give the boys a kiss goodnight.  Plus it’s good for my husband to take over the role of primary caregiver on a regular basis.  The children need to know dad can cook dinner, give them a bath, comfort them when they get hurt, and so on.

So I’ve decided to give it a try.  I mean, what the heck, I can always quit the job if it doesn’t work well with our family schedule and household.  And I’m thinking of the money I’ll be bringing into the house – money that is going straight to the benefit of my children.  Maybe I can be the one to fund our Disney World trip in a few years with my part time work.