My very first post when I started writing for Chattanooga Moms five years ago was about my life as a student mom. I wrote that post as I was about to start working on my bachelor’s degree, which I graduated with two years ago. After that, I started working towards my master’s degree, which I graduated with on August 23rd.
Life was mostly good as a student mom.
Many nights and some weekends were filled with me having to do school work, but besides that, I had a lot of flexibility in my schedule due to my flexible job as a graduate assistant and my practicum. I was able to attend my kids’ events, take time off for appointments, and to go on spontaneous trips. As my graduation approached, I knew that these days could be numbered due to the rigorous 8 to 5 schedule that many places of employment held.
And then, I was blessed with a job.
I was hired at my internship placement, which is a great organization that has a lot of great benefits for their employees, including wellness hours each week to take off for appointments and other important things. Thanks to this flexibility, I have not had to miss any appointments or my son’s Beta Club induction as I worried about.
Of course, since it’s a full-time job, I can’t leave at 3pm each day to pick up my kids from school and I’ve had to make other arrangements, but so far it has worked out fine. Also, though the days of semi-spontaneous trips may be over, with paid holidays and vacation days off of work, our planned travels are much more affordable and carefree now.
Overall, the change hasn’t been as big or chaotic as I anticipated it to be. I’m sure that for some people it could be more dramatic — depending where you work and what kind of job that you have — but since the organization that I work for has a lot in place for its employees, it’s been a positive change.
