It's Off to Work I Go: An Update

After having Will, I knew I didn't want to go back to work full-time, but I also knew I wanted to do something. I enjoy work and enjoy having co-workers, being in an office, keeping current with new developments in my field, etc. After working in marketing for more than ten years and being home full-time with Will for ten months, I decided to give my hand a try at contract work--the perfect balance of working with a more flexible schedule.

I was fortunate enough to find a part-time contract gig with a local high-tech company here in town. Since September, I've worked twenty hours a week which means I spend two and half days in the office and two and a half days being home with Will--literally the perfect balance (if such a thing exists). Sure, working and having a child is not always easy--trying to fit in doctor visits, chores, and home projects in between work and juggling child care is a fine balancing act that I think is ultimately pretty elusive. You just do the best you can. But, because I only work part time, attempting to acheive that elusive goal seems a little more attainable.

Will goes to day care two days a week and enjoys it. He likes playing with the other kids and I enjoy the fact that there is structure to his days (art projects, playground time, singing, reading, naptime, etc.). Other than the parade of illnesses that has invaded our home since he started school, I think in our case, it's ultimately been beneficial to me and Will to have some time apart and, even better, more cherished time together on my days off.

After eight months of working for the same company, they made me an offer to become a full-fledged employee--still working part time, but no longer a contract worker. It took me a while to decide if this was the move I wanted to make. I'd be making less money than I would as a contactor, but I also wouldn't be paying the ridiculous amount of taxes I was paying being self-employed. And let's be honest--it's hard to find meaningful part-time work. The company needed to either make me an employee or get rid of me--like many companies in this economy, they were cutting costs, and that included contractors.

After some deep thought and a little negotation, I accepted the position. I really enjoy the team, it's nice to know I have a more "permanent" gig (about as permanent as any gig these days, I suppose), and I still get to keep my part-time schedule (the best part, in my opinion). I'm always working my "network", so I've been in touch with other companies about potential project work down the line--always keeping my options open, so to speak, but for now, I'm pretty content with the option I have.