Moving On

I've been Mr. Mom for several years now. During this time I've home schooled my children, coached a home school basketball team,directed a choir,been a domestic engineer(house husband) and done various other domestic duties. I must say that I've enjoyed my life and wouldn't change a thing if I had it to do all over again.

During the last several months our family decided that it was time for our children to re-enter public school. In the mean time I've been working toward becoming a school teacher; talk about some red tape! I've worked on my certification for a while now and finally,today, it paid off. I got offered a job, and I accepted it....gladly! I couldn't imagine being a house husband and not having my kids here with me, it would be unbearable.

Several posts ago I wrote about home schoolers, or at least the home school group I've been associated with. I've got to say that I'm really going to miss being around those folks. I've gained lots of new friends and formed some bonds with people that I hope will never be broken. I share many common beliefs with these folks and a huge part of me will always be a home schooler.

As a man though, this new job is a real boost to my ego! Every year when I get the Social Security statement in the mail, and I see a big fat zero in the income column, it kills me! It will be nice to be able to earn an income again, and I don't plan to ever be unemployed until I retire....at around 90 years old. Of course I know God may have other plans for me and I know things may not turn out the way I think they will; we'll see about that pretty soon. Hopefully I'll not have to hear "happy mothers day" next mothers day! I have a good sense of humor but that's about more than I can take.(haha)

I don't think it's good for a man to be a house husband. I can't say that is wrong, but I will say it's not good for the mans self-esteem. From experience I can tell you that it's a real challange, as a man, to feel like a man when you don't work and have an income. I've always understood why I did what I did, but that doesn't mean that I always enjoyed it. Yes, I loved being with my children; not many dads ever get the chance to spend so much time with their kiddo's, and I loved that part of my life. However, the "man" in me always wanted to be out working and I always felt guilty, however misplaced that guilt was, about not having a job. It all may go south on me tomorrow, but hopefully, I'll be earning a paycheck again this August.