Seize the Day!

Around my birthday in February, I told Matt that my objective for the year was to figure out how to work less. Financially, I need to work, and in reality, I think I'd be unhappy as a full time stay-at-home parent also, but I've really been feeling the time strain this year - getting home, dinner, baths, bed and that's about all we have time for, at least it seems. Couple that with a bad winter for weather and traffic and I was feeling like it was all too much. My first attempt was to figure out how to work at home one day each week - between skipping the commute and being able to multi-task on laundry or dinner makes this one day really valuable.

A couple of days later, on a Friday afternoon, my boss came by and told me I would be off the project I had been working on and on to not one, but two high priority projects. The month or two that followed was both the most work and the most fun I've had at work in a long, long time (like pre-kids!) I worked more hours, including some Saturdays, than I have in a really long time. I made it home for bed time most nights, but I did miss more than a few dinners.

The funny thing was, we all seemed to do just fine with it. Matt wasn't totally solo parenting, and I gave him a complete break whenever I could. I was content, and in turn totally engaged with the kids when I did see them. Sure, a few things suffered like cleaning, but that happens sometimes anyway. I also managed to loosen my iron grip on meal planning and grocery shopping and I am happy to say that Matt has risen to the occasion, now feeding the kids to my satisfaction!

I also came to realize that I really like what I do, and to keep on doing it, and moving forward, going part time really isn't going to cut it. However, that isn't to say there is not more balance for me, I just need to recognize it and grab it when it presents itself! So, the day after we met a project milestone, I went for groceries in the afternoon. Today I had a light schedule, so I walked Norah to school and spent some extra time at Roddie's school parents breakfast.

As for my resolution to work less... well, I have revised it to more of a carpe diem model - seize the day! And with that, it's warm and sunny outside and I am outta here! (yes, blogging at work)