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Ever since Chip was born in December of 2010, I knew I
wanted to be at home. It was so hard to leave him after my maternity leave to
return to finish the school year at Salina Central High School. After that school year, my husband was promoted
to district manager with Propane Central. This new job relocated us to Topeka,
Kansas. I got a job, because there was still not quite enough money to keep us
out of poverty if I stopped teaching to become a stay-at-home mom. I resolved
that this would be fine. I could do it.
I was hired to work at Washburn Rural
Middle School.
I worked there two school
years, and met some great friends in the process. (God knows what He is doing;
sometimes it takes me a minute to believe Him but it all works out.) Working
the past two years afforded me great friends, memorable students, and it gave Chip
the opportunity to make great friends and memories at his in-home daycare. Our
daycare provider, Cathy or “Khaki” as Chip calls her, was a great mentor for
Chip. She taught him manners, sharing, cleaning up after making messes, and how
to trust other adults. I wouldn’t trade those years of learning for anything.
However, the desire to be a stay-at-home mom was rekindled the moment I
discovered I was pregnant with Calla. I began to bring it up to Keith, and he
wanted to make sure we prayed about it and did everything possible to make sure
we could afford to do it. So I got busy looking into options. I applied for an
online teaching job with K12. This opportunity had Keith excited, but it almost
seemed too perfect. A job I love to do, that I went to school for can be done
at home! And, I can be with my kids? It was a “have your cake and eat it too
scenario.” I thought, “There’s no way. This is too perfect.” I had applied
previously with this company too, after Chip was born, but obviously didn’t have any luck. I began to feel
discouraged with this job option once again when I heard nothing. So, I pursued
other avenues. I went through all the steps to get our home certified to do an
in-home daycare. This wouldn’t be ideal, as it is not guaranteed income, but it
would allow me to help provide good care for families, give Chip some playtime
with others, and my family some added income. Before Calla was born, and the
deal was sealed on the daycare, I received an email from Manhattan-Ogden school
district. They were looking for an English teacher, immediately. I was 8-months pregnant (they would never hire me, I thought) but I interviewed for the job anyway, and two weeks later
was filling out papers for HR.
I began to teach a freshman English course in
February. I continued to teach during my maternity leave. (Yes that was a
daunting task. But I made it). I guess I did something right, because I was asked
to teach full-time (which means 5 live hours of teaching a week) for a little
less pay then I make at my current “brick and mortar” teaching job.
I am just simply amazed at the doors
that opened, and at the doors that were so easily closed. God is great, and He does answer prayers. Truly, this was all Him. I am
excited to see what this new career opportunity has in store for me as a
professional, as a mom, and as a wife. I may not be your traditional stay-at-home
mom. I still have a career that I love, but I will be a work-at-home mom. I
feel that this could turn out to be the best of both worlds. I get to be with
my kids every moment of their little lives, all while doing what I was born to
do, which is teach. I will keep you posted.
