Saturday, February 27, 2010

Paid Work. It's the new self-esteem


I've written a lot here about how powerless I have felt not earning money as a stay-at-home mom. The work that a stay-at-home mom does is incredibly valuable to society, yet there is no monetary value placed on the work. It makes many of us feel that our work is invisible, and undervalued. Yet, what can be more valuable than caring for the next generation, most especially our own children?

So, I can now shout from the rooftops! There is nothing like.... the Power of the Paycheck. I received my first paycheck last week. It was not large, having only worked a small number of hours during the pay period. Yet...it was incredibly rewarding to see my name on a pay stub, with a monetary amount in the paid column. It didn't matter how much it was. Just that it was...money paid for good work.

I feel incredibly blessed with my new job. I have searched and searched for a job that I could do from home for the last two years. I have interviewed for jobs that would have been in an office 40 hours a week. Jobs that I was offered, and turned down for various reasons. It feels like a gift every day or night, depending on when I log in my hours, to perform this job from home. It's a great company to work for, and I feel appreciated.

It isn't that I am not appreciated at home for the family work that I do. Yet, somehow it all gets jumbled together and much of the work is done without someone else seeing it. It's complicated - this stay-at-home mom business.

It is really energizing to work for very young people who have a vision. They have so much energy, and they think outside the box. I love that! I wish more companies realized what value they would have in hiring moms part-time. We get things done! We don't flake, and we have little mouths to feed. Lots of internal motivation.

Paid Work. It's the new self-esteem.


submit to reddit

13 comments:

  1. You said it, sister! Earning power is a lovely thing. I'm not quite sure why, but getting a paycheck really does help.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's interesting--I guess for me it just doesn't feel any different. I got my first paycheck yesterday and while I'm happy to have the money, it didn't make me feel more valued than I did before.

    Maybe it is because I love my job so much that I swear I would do it for free. Probably.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so pleased that you've found work that is fulfilling personally and financially. Not an easy task!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so happy for you! I get this. Even more when a former co-worker approached me about a part-time gig. I turned it down, I talked to Andy about it. But I wondered what he'd think of me pulling some money *into* the house for a change.

    So I decided to run ads on my blog instead...

    I think you're amazing and valuable no matter what but I'm so happy you get to do this!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so excited for you. As someone heading back into the workforce, I know exactly how this feels. So, so happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. How interesting.
    I am glad it made you feel good : ).
    I wouldn't mind NOT getting a paycheck and having a baby and staying home in the slightest.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I know. It really does wonders! I'm glad you're enjoying it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats, you know that book 'A room of one's own'? this is similar, 'a paycheck of one's own' both feel really good!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So happy for you. Nothing like work that you love and that you get paid for.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I agree. Love the title of your post. Big congrats, JCK! This find is hard won. Now... whatcha gonna buy? heh heh.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good for you, Jennifer. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UH HUH. It's been a while since I've gotten a real check. It does feel so good. I think we could all definitely use that self-esteem boost to get us through.

    ReplyDelete

This blog is no longer taking comments.

Copyright © 2007-2014 JCK.



The content on these pages is the sole property of the author and may not be used or reproduced in any manner without consent.

All Rights Reserved.