by Carol Mcgrath

Created on: September 23, 2005   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I have had the opportunity to work in several different organizations throughout my life, including county and local government, higher education, an ISD, a hospital laboratory, a car manufacturer, construction company, a grocery store and bartending. Not in that specific order. Now, I do childcare in my home and the best part is that I care for my own granddaughter. I often think how lucky I am, for I didn't have the privilege to stay home and raise my own 2 children. But, sometimes I wonder if I really am that lucky because this new experience has created some unexpected anxieties.

The Bad:
Dropping out of the workforce. It can get lonely being at home much of the time with no other adults to converse with. My granddaughter, who is 16 months, talks a lot, but I don't understand her! Also, there isn't much money in taking care of just one child, but it does help a little. So, I do miss the large paychecks and the freedom that the extra money gave me and my family. Of course, the financial issue also creates arguments within the household, and this is where the anxiety I mentioned earlier comes into play. Another aspect is that I sometimes feel like a failure, a quitter, for dropping out of the 8 to 5. Not one day goes by when I don't think of what I could be doing with my life, but I try to remind myself that what I'm doing is very important.

The Good:
I don't miss all of the office politics. There was a time when a good worker received the incentives, but those days may be gone to a new type of worker who can play well with others. A person can lose themselves in this type of environment. Is it worth it? I would rather go without the new car, snowmobile, or whatever I was working for in the first place. Not only am I finding myself again, but I can also stay up late, watch whatever I want on television, and work on family history on the computer.

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