Tuesday, August 5, 2008

From Full Time to Part Time – A Big Change For The Better

Three and a half months have passed since we brought Daniel home. For six weeks I was able to rock him to sleep every day for his nap and every night at bedtime. I sat with him at every meal, kissed every boo-boo, sang good morning when he woke up, met his every need, with Troy’s help of course. After six weeks I went back to work full time. It felt good to go back to work, but I started missing Daniel every day. After a couple of weeks he cried one morning when I left him at the sitters. Since then he doesn’t cry but stands at the door some mornings looking after me and sometimes banging for my attention. I hate walking away from him.

So, Troy and I finally came to the decision that I would stop working full time and ask my current employer if I could change my position from full to part time. After waiting a week for a response, I was informed that they would be pleased to have me remain with the firm part time!! I was so excited. I’ll only be working three days a week for seven hours each day verses the five day, eight hour a day, work week. That means four uninterrupted days with my baby boy!! It means not having to wake him up in the mornings to get ready to go and then rush through dinner and bath time in the evenings so I can get him to bed early enough to just have to wake him up anyway. It also means we can go to Mother Goose time at the local library! I have been wanting to do this for quite some time.

I’m also looking forward to returning to the SPCA to complete adoption paperwork and match families with their forever pets just for special events and to help fill in. I have not been able to return as I was not working a 6th day away from home and from Daniel. This will give me the opportunity to just go in every once in a while for my ‘not mine’ animal fix!! Life is looking good!

I’ll begin my part-time position in just two weeks! Now, I’ll have

More time to do this:


and watch Papa and Daniel do this:


Hey, Papa - now that Mama will be home more - how about you, because you're comin' with me!

24 comments:

Mama Fish said...

Rachel- That is sooo exciting! I remember when ds1 was born and I worked 6 months and visited everyday in daycare. Your comment sparked my own memories of getting up early early in the morning to drop him off. Mother Goose time! You are gonna have fun and make some great memories!

Tony and Dawn said...

Congratulations! There may be some material sacrifices with the drop in income, but the time with your son is priceless and irreplaceable. I have learned that lesson the hard way. God Bless -

MandyJo013078 said...

Congrats Rachel! I'm so happy for you! THat is just wonderful for you, Troy and Daniel!

Amy said...

Congratulations Rachel!!! I'm truly happy for you, children grow up so fast and now you can hold onto more special times together (ie Mother Goose time). I can't believe my 2 start all day kindergarten in a matter of weeks. Where did the time go????

Amy said...

Congratulations Rachel!!! I'm truly happy for you, children grow up so fast and now you can hold onto more special times together (ie Mother Goose time). I can't believe my 2 start all day kindergarten in a matter of weeks. Where did the time go????

Meghan, Bill and Nick said...

Congratulations! We're so happy that this has worked out for your family and you'll have additional time with Daniel!

Janine said...

Oh I'm so happy for you! I'm glad your employer was so understanding. The world needs more employers like that. How great to have more uninterrupted time with your baby boy.

Dede said...

Congrats! That wonderful that you will be able to spend more time with your little guy. Enjoy the moments!

Shane and Kathy Gebhardt said...

How wonderful!!! I'm sooo happy for you! I'm sure that everything will work out perfectly with your new arrangement.

Daniel will really blossom with all of this "mommy time" as well!

God's Blessings!

Kim Abraham - Mom to the Fabulous Five! said...

Rachel - Congrats! I don't think you will ever regret your decision to spend more time with your son. When our first two were born Martin was a SAHD while I worked full-time. It was so hard leaving them each morning even knowing they were with dad. It is a priceless blessing to work less and spend more time at home.

Thank heavens for family-friendly employers! Enjoy!

Carey and Norman said...

As you know, we are so excited about your job allowing you to go part time. I know how much a mother's heart wants to be home with her child. I look forward to hearing more about your days including your trips to the library!

Congrats!!

Mary and Michael said...

That is such exciting news!! How great that your company will let you work part time. I am hoping do to something similar whenever we get to that stage so we'll see. I think it will be so great for Daniel to have his mommy home more and I bet mommy will enjoy it too :)

The Wilson's said...

Wow. It looks like you have big work changes too. I think that part-time is the best of both worlds and I am sure that you are just going to eat up your time with Daniel.

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

So glad you were able to do this! You will NEVER regret this decision. You can work for the rest of your life, but Daniel is only little once...that is what I keep in mind. These years cannot be replaced. So happy for you all and as I see in the pictures...looks like a celebration is in order!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Almost forgot to mention...see if there is a Bible study offered locally. It is called Crown Ministries. It is a Bible study about stewardship and really helped John and I when we were expecting Luke to decide to change our lifestyle...It is a couples study and well worth the time spent.

ana said...

Congratulations on being able to switch to part time. It's wonderful that you'll have more time with Daniel!

Shane & Marie said...

That is wonderful news! I know Daniel will be so happy to have his momma around more!

Becky and Keith said...

As you know, I'm super duper excited for you AND jealous! It's awesome that work is going to let you go part time - I think more companies should do that! Daniel is going to be SO happy to have his mama!

Carey and Norman said...

Just thinking about you today and hoping all went well on Friday. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Ryan and Amy said...

Oh Rachel, I am so happy for you! You will never regret that decision. YEAH!! You ALL looks SO happy in the pictures. Congrats on your decision.

Michael, Carrie, and S said...

Rachel, that is awesome news! :) Good for you and Troy and Daniel! I'm sure you are really looking forward to a wonderful transition of working part-time! I would be lying to say I'm not a little bit jealous of you! :) You all will get to do lots of fun things together! Best wishes as you make the transition at work! Congrats!

Susan said...

Congratulations Rachel, I'm so glad you get to cut back your hours at work and spend more time with Daniel.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you you! What a wonderful and exciting change for your family. I also went part time after our first little one came home, and it has made all the difference for our family. God bless!

Joy said...

It is wonderful that you are able to spend more time with you little man. Nothing replaces time with your mommy.
Joy