Me Work - Whatever For?

My eldest son asked me an interesting question yesterday morning as we were on the way to mom’s to take her dog for an early morning walk.

"Mom, do you enjoy not going to work?"

Hmmm, this needed careful answering, so that I didn’t come over all feminist and righteous (not that I do normally mind you!) and spout "isn’t being a mother a full time job?".

I asked him what he meant and being the clever lad he is had picked up on the fact that as we were out before 8.00 am we were passing people hurrying to work and we were obviously taking life a bit slower.

I reflected on the answer to give him.  And in summary this is what I said.

In terms of being in the whole 9 - 5 rush to get somewhere, yes I enjoyed not going to work.  My job used to take me down the motorway every day and I am grateful that I don’t have to do that anymore.

I did point out that I did the books for his dad and that at the present time with nan needing help my role really was that of ’supporter’ to nan, the children and dad to make sure they all had what they needed.

I also explained that I helped dad with the business and outlined the sorts of things that I do and for all that I did I received no monetary payment for it.

So while I ‘in the traditional sense’ did not go out to work I was kept busy enough.  I did explain that should I need to earn some cash though I would look for a part-time role but outside of the ‘caring’ hours I put in for the family.

Our trouble is that as we’ve got older we’ve become far more cynical about working for big companies and how they tie you down.  Working for yourself is no easy option but at the end of the day you only have yourselves to blame for what you do. 

Money can be an issue too when you’re not receiving a regular monthly income, but coupled against being at home for the children and struggling, to being on the ‘career ladder’, for now I know which one I prefer.

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