Why I work...

I the church, few women with small children work outside the home when their children are small. I respect this choice and feel it is best for most families. But for me, and my family, things are different.... I work (part time- 3 days) for a couple of reasons.
1) I really love what I do. Every day, I make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities. A unique difference, one that only I can do. Heavenly Father has planted in me the desire, and trained me up, to make a difference in the world.

2) But more than that, because I want B to have as much time as he possibly can with BOTH parents. I work 3 days and bring home 50% of my family's income. This allows Dave to pay himself only about 50-60% of what he's worth, so his business can grow. Because the financial demands of his family are more reasonable, he doesn't have to work 60-70 hours a week to grow his business meet our needs. Consequently, he spends more time with his family and our son than any man I know! He is available and loves to be with his family. Dave works 40-50 hours a week, but he adjusts his efforts, so that much of it is relaxed time (uploading stuff or making simple changes to his software) after B goes to bed. Taking a few extra hours, or an extra day, to be with his family is par for the course.

I grew up with a workaholic father... Driven by the desperate desire of a very young father to meet the unattainable needs of his family- until he finally cracked. I remember him getting up at 4 am, leaving at 5am, home at 6-7pm, too exhausted to function. Grumpy, tired, unrespected. Never knew or enjoyed his kids. But he worked his is butt off, every day.

I see lots of families where the mother is home, but the dad works 50, 60, 70 hours a week and/ or is gone for weeks on end. Not criticizing their choices.

But for us, the Best choice, is to give our children BOTH of their parents.... Happy, productive parents, who have time and energy to enjoy and treasure every moment, as much as possible.