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Linda/NE
05-01-2002, 08:14 PM
No this is not a vent about my current job! :)

As I posted the other day (actually I forgot I posted about it until I read that thread! ) I have a job application for an Early Head Start Family consultant. I have to put it in the mail tomorrow.

A friend of mine called me last night. Her son and my son are in the same class at school. She was wondering what my plans were for the summer as she is looking for someone to watch her son. I told her I was looking at a possible job but hadn't made any decisions yet. She asked if I was wanting something full time. She said that her job was open. As it turns out this job IS her job. (She got a promotion or something). Anyway she said that since I have a degree I'd automatically be looking at over $9/hr! 8o She encouraged me to apply.

On a side note we discussed my current job and she feels the same way I do about my boss. It's so interesting to hear what other people in the community have to say about her!!

At work yesterday one of the teachers from Head start had stopped in to talk to my boss. I will be working with this teacher next week when the boss and her aide will be gone to a track meet. I had left a message for this lady about getting my son signed up for Head Start. She caught me out of earshot of the director and asked if I had been the one that left the message. So I called her this morning at the HS office. She said we could do the application on the day we work together. Then she said she had a personal question for me. She said she heard I wasnt' going back to the preschool and wondered if I'd heard about the job. I told her I had the application in front of me. She said to fill it out and that she thought I'd be good at it!

So I filled out the application. Pros to the job-- good pay, good benefits, professional atmosphere, sounds like nice staff to work with, decent hours (8:30-4:30),
Cons to the job-- work year round (have to find daycare and transportation for kids to swim lessons, ball practice, etc) , won't be working directly with kids mostly families as a whole, won't be teaching kids, full time (I can't keep up with everything now only working part time!)

Also, I still have this nagging feeling that we really need a preschool in this town and even the friend and HS teacher I talked with today agree that we need something.

So, I don't know what I really want. On one hand it would be so nice to make more than twice the money we are now and not be stressed that way, but on the other hand I seriously LOVE being at home with my kids.

So any perspective on this is much appreciated!! :) Thanks!!

imamama
05-01-2002, 08:27 PM
Oh my, what a tough decision. Don't have any great words of wisdom, but one thought did come to mind... maybe you could find someone to share the job with. These days, employers are more open to alternative/flexible work arrangements, so it might be a possibility. If you know of anyone else that's interested, you may run the idea by them. Or, it sounds like you have a repoir with the hiring manager, maybe you could slide it into the conversation when the two of you work together next week.

Best of luck with whatever you choose! I hope the decision is somehow made easier!!! ;)

Diane
05-01-2002, 09:22 PM
Wow... 8o It sounds like you've got some very tough decisions to make. :) To me it sounds like you want this job... but it doesn't sound like you REALLY want this job. 8o Although it's got it's advantages... good pay and benefits, professional atmosphere, nice staff, decent hours... It almost sounds like the "perfect" job... and for some it might be... but it may not be for you. ?( There seems to be too many con's... having to find daycare and transportation for your own kids to swim lessons and ball practice... which could get to be pretty expensive. You won't be teaching/working directly with children but mostly families as a whole... which I think you won't enjoy as much because it sounds like you really enjoy working with the children, plus it's year round and full time... which is something it sounds like you'd much rather not do.

I think your heart is set on opening up a preschool in your area... and I don't think you're going to be happy until you do just that. 8o (would this turn out to be full time also?) ?( Also... is this a SURE thing yet and if not... what's the chances of it happening? If nothing is sure yet perhaps you'll want to wait a while (if you can) and see what your options are. 8o

IMHO... making good money isn't everything, it means absolutly nothing if you, your dh and children are not happy... and it will never take the place of time spent with your children.

It's a big decision to make and you'll have to weigh all of your options and see what you come up with. Talk with your dh and your children to see what their feelings are about it... after all they're all going to be affected by the decision you make too. 8o Good luck and I hope everything works out the way you want it to... Let us know what you decide.

Diane... :wave:

KarlaB
05-01-2002, 09:24 PM
What a tough decision!! I don't know what to tell you either, but just wanted to wish you luck as you make this big decision!!

Just read Diane's input - wonderful advice!! :)

Linda/NE
05-05-2002, 11:51 PM
Thanks so much!!

When I got home Friday night there was a message on the machine about wanting to set up an interview. I have to call them back tomorrow. I think the interview will be the 13th.

I have pretty much decided I will do the interview, see how I feel about the job from that and see if it's even offered to me. If it is I will probably take it. If I don't get it I will submit a proposal to the Parish council for a preschool. I've been doing a ton of praying that things will work out for the best all around.

I wish someone could just make the decision for me.

Thanks for the great advice. I'll keep it in mind!! :)

Sandy Stevens
05-06-2002, 07:54 AM
Congratulations on your job interview. With your education and work background, no doubt you'll be hired. From one Head Start full day-full year teacher to another, welcome.:*

Diane
05-06-2002, 07:59 AM
Good luck with your interview Linda... Let us know how it goes. :)

Diane... :wave:

RCT
05-06-2002, 08:15 AM
Congradulations on the interview.....let us know how it goes....you'll do great....:D

Cathy
05-06-2002, 02:24 PM
Good luck, Linda. I hope it turns out the way you want. It'll be good experience if you take the job, for your someday preschool of your own. If they're anything like my Head Start, they'll pay for any classes you want/need to take. Let us know.

Another tough decision....You're getting pretty good at them!
(((Linda)))

JAK
05-06-2002, 04:06 PM
Good Luck Linda! Let us know how it goes on the 13th. :)

imamama
05-06-2002, 06:16 PM
Good luck... tough decisions are not fun... but, when the time comes, you'll do what's right for you. Wish it wasn't so hard.

PamE
05-06-2002, 07:21 PM
Sounds like the nicer sort of dilemma to be in! :) Hope all goes well for you in the interview.

kat
05-06-2002, 07:59 PM
Linda, like Pam said if you're in a dilemma, this is a pretty good one to be in. I had a friend several years ago with about 15 years experience at my school when her sister (also a teacher) was fired (I won't go into those details), but anyway my friend no longer felt comfortable and felt she should teach elsewhere. She didn't know what to do because she was so close to the staff but still felt stares and wondered if people "talked" about her because of what had happened with her sister. Anyway she confided in me one day that she had applied elsewhere. She said she didn't know if she was doing the right thing or not. She would initially be making less money at the new school but in a couple of years would make more than she would if she stayed. That of course wasn't her main concern. She too prayed about it constantly. She finally said that she went ahead and applied, then turned it over to God. She felt that by not applying she was not giving God a chance to lead her somewhere else. She got the job and has been happy with the outcome. I think it's good that you go ahead and apply and interview. Turn it over to God. If you're meant to take this job, it will be offered. If not, God may be leading you to start your own preschool. Follow His lead.

Linda/NE
05-07-2002, 11:02 PM
Thanks so much for the support and great advice!!

I worked with the Head Start teacher (at my preschool) yesterday. We were both subbing for my director and her aide. She seemed pretty excited about the idea of me interviewing for the job. I think she will be there a long with the gal who is currently in that position (she's also a friend of mine).

Turning it over to God is about all I can do at this time. I've 'warmed'up to the idea of working during the summer too. I'm really tired of pinching pennies and worrying about bills.

If I don't get it---then it must be meant to open a preschool...or something else....

AnnW
05-08-2002, 07:58 AM
Great attitude, Linda!! What is meant to be will happen. :)

Diane
05-10-2002, 06:27 AM
I also like your great attitude! What will be, will be... 8o and what is meant to be, will happen. :) :)

Diane... :wave: