New Chapter

At the end of 2011 I had my first child, my daughter, Emmie.  I also stopped working as a college English instructor.  At that time, my family lived in a rented townhouse.

In 2012, every moment I grew more into my role of mother.  While this was happening, Bruce and I decided for financial reasons to move in with his parents, my in-laws.  And so here we are.

Yesterday was Bruce's father's official last day on the job.  He is retired now.  Though his plan is to get a part-time job, the hard years of work are behind him.

We are both beginning a new chapter in our lives.  On Monday I go back to teaching after a longer-than-expected absence.  The time I got to spend solely raising my daughter was a blessing.  I will now have to learn the precarious balance of motherhood and career.

Since I've been substitute teaching at night for the past few weeks, I know what to expect.  I'll take care of Emmie during the day.   Bruce will come home and I will leave.  I'll teach and drive home in the dark.  I'll wake up, bleary-eyed, and start a new day.  I've been attempting to write my syllabi and prepare with Emmie here, so I already know how difficult it will be to retain any kind of focus on work when I'm at home.

The new me is going to put in the hours being the best mom I can while earning what I can to benefit my family.  I am joining the ranks of so many other strong women.

I am proud to say the pages of my future will be called, "The Working Mom Years."