I just got a call from a partner saying that I need to make some final edits to a document when the partner is done looking at it, in about an hour.
X was sent home sick today. We're taking him to the doctor tomorrow morning. He has not been healthy in about two months. Which, probably not coincidentally, is about the length of time I've been working since my maternity leave.
I woke up with a raw throat yesterday and today. Even after stopping nursing, I just don't have the physical stamina I used to. With a baby at home, even with JW taking care of a lot of the childcare duties, I find it much harder to stay up all night working and still be able to concentrate the next day than in my pre-baby days. I get almost no work done over the weekend since I'm running after the kids and doing the chores that didn't get done during the week.
I wish I had a job that did not require constant availability, and did not come with the expectation that I would work nights and weekends. I wish I could come home and just be home. Does a job like that exist, that also pays enough that we can afford daycare? I've been applying for the odd in-house job here and there, but I don't think I have the experience yet.
I know there are worse problems to have. Still, I need to start developing an exit strategy.
Funny to read the posts from you and LL today. Good luck with the strategy. I don't know how much your daycare is, but I've calculated the amount I'd need to make to cover my share of ours, our other bills, and my loans (taking into account that LIPP is pretty generous and covers all jobs). It's not much, maybe $40-50K. It's a nice number to know because it makes me feel like I'm OK to apply to nonprofits and government without being financially irresponsible. I don't know if state govt hiring freezes have thawed up there, but it's worth keeping an eye on too, since you can't beat the hours.
ReplyDeleteGiven that my first job out of law school was in-house at an S&P 500 Company, I'm guessing that you're also experienced enough to do it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAt the same time - in-house isn't quite the break you think it might be. My job was def 24/7. I just didn't have to keep track of my billing. Then again, billing wouldn't have been an issue as I worked so much that I didn't even have time for a lunch break.
ReplyDeleteAndrea - yes, I'm definitely keeping a government job in mind for the future, although with corporate work I think it's harder to get into. At the moment we can't swing it. I haven't mentioned this, but JW recently left his job for an unpaid political campaign gig.
ReplyDeleteAna - I don't want an in-house job like yours!
You and me both, sister, you and me both....
ReplyDelete