Do You Think Pfacebook Means To Allow Free Speech?
Sen. Chris Murphy Says RFK, Jr. "Wants to Kill Our Kids"

Returning

Strong-womenBy Cathy Jameson

I took 18 years off from work to raise my children.  I wouldn’t say that it was a break in the sense that I was taking time off from a job to get away from it or to relax for a bit.  I was fulfilling a different vocation during that time.  I had always thought about going back to a paying job when the kids were a bit older, but I felt a much stronger calling to stay home long past when other women might return to work.  While home with my kids, I was advocating, homeschooling, and keeping up with my typical children’s activities.  For my son with special needs, I was learning about long-lasting side effects, managing medications, coordinating therapies, and adjusting life when life needed to be adjusted.

A few years ago, I got a text about a job opening at a school.  I laughed.  Go back to teaching?  It was a dream of mine to do that, but now?  Ha!  Like I could go back to work, I thought.  My husband still traveled quite a bit for his job, Ronan’s needs were still pretty great, and my other kids’ afterschool and sports schedules kept me pretty busy.  I longed to use my brain in a different capacity again, but the very thought of being back in the classroom seemed overwhelming.  My friend texted more info and asked me to think it over.  Could I begin to juggle work and the intense demands life placed on me?  It was a part-time assistant position, and because the boss knew of my family’s unique needs, I would be offered some flexibility if hired.  They said that family – and especially Ronan, would come first, but I’d need to be available 20 hours a week.  From one hour to the next, nothing about our life at the time was consistent, but my husband and I went to task with this unexpected offer. 

We talked it over.

We played every scenario in our heads.

We wrote down all the what ifs.

We went back and forth with the pros and the cons.

It would be a huge adjustment for all of us if I started to work outside our home.  Ironically, though, only a few days prior had I shared with my husband that finances were getting tight.  When big problems feel like they are getting bigger, I also shared my worries with God. Lord, I shared, I need You to step in because I don’t know how we’re going to manage things right now.  While dropping the kids off at school later, I looked up toward the heavens and said, “God, I don’t know if our budget will cover everything.  It looks like we are going to be short this month.  I have moved money from one account to the next, cut costs wherever I could.  We need this much monthly to make ends meet.  Please help.”

When I got more information about the job offer, my pay, with benefits, would be the exact amount I’d asked God to help us with.  Down to the penny, it was the exact amount!!  I had told my husband that if every door opened – without us forcing any to open, I would consider that as a good sign for me and for us as a family.  I felt that proverbial door swing wide open when I signed my contract. 

That was six years ago.  I’m working more full-time now thanks to great support from the kids, my husband, and by being blessed with consistently kind and compassionate caregivers who work with Ronan.  Because of all of that, I also had the chance to take a class again.  I knew that would be challenging – not just the class itself but being back in studying mode.  That part of my brain craved the chance to learn in that setting again, but it has been a very, very long time since I sat in a college-level class.  Last semester, I proved to myself that I could handle the coursework, my job, and my role as wife and mother.  That had me looking at other educational opportunities – ones that won’t just benefit me but can benefit those I serve.  In looking for scholarships for my next endeavor, which will be a M.Ed. in Special Education, I stumbled across a word I had never seen – returnship.

It sounded silly.

It sounded made up.

It sounded awkward, too.

It may not be a word in my dictionary, but it’s a concept that also sounded empowering to those who are about to re-enter the workforce like I did after a very long stretch of time. 

Cj returnship

When the kids were much younger and I dreamed of going back to work, I kicked around the idea of going into the medical field.  I wondered way back then about returning to school also – either in medicine or to be a therapist (as an OT or PT).  I had also considered one day looking at advocating professionally.  I’ve advocated for my son for two decades, but none of that work ever resulted in a paycheck.  Even though I had no training in it prior to his birth, I work my hardest to get things for Ronan.  If ever I chose to switch careers from education to being a paid advocate I would look at this returnship idea and for opportunities to be mentored.  Who better to ask for help?  It’s those who are steps ahead of me that have helped me the most. 

How about you?  When your child got sick or was diagnosed, did you have to leave your paying job?  Were you able to go back to work?  Did you stay in your original field or did another opportunity pop up?  I’m doing okay where I am, and I’m excited to pursue the next steps in the field that I’ve been most comfortable and happy.  Others have shared that my knowledge has helped them and their children.  I joke that I’d do it for free, but I am so grateful to have the time, the opportunity, and the support – from family and from those consistently kind and compassionate caregivers, to continue to do what I get to do when I’m at work.

Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.

Comments

Mama Bear

Who would've predicted the twists & turns your life took. Thank you & Ronan's incredible dad & sibs for sharing the journey with us. God bless you as you follow His will and your dream.

Gerardo Martinez

Hello to all. Glad you have the opportunity to return to work more often now. And especially in Special Ed. They say if you want to make God laugh-tell him your plans-Seeking discernment and praying is the best route to take in my opinion. My plan was to work my Criminal Justice Job for 30 years then become a History Teacher. God had other plans. 10 years ago burn out in CJ became overwhelming and I quit and entered the field of education. Not as a History teacher but as a Special Education teacher! And I teach Social Studies:) to our Special Needs popluation at all levels. Now in my 10th year and sometimes it feels overwhelming, but other times- It feels so right- so in tune with His Will. I pray for you and your family as you make the adjustments to full time employments. Blessings to all!
G. Martinez

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)