Where's the line?

Today I found myself wondering... where is the line between "stay-at-home Mom" and "working Mom" ?? I really like being an "at-home" Mom, able to be there when the kids get home from school, no daycare issues when I have sick kids...

When they were really young, I looked to the future when they'd be in school, and I would probably work part time. Or so I thought... when they got into school, I found that every time I considered a regular job, that there was a school vacation or a sick kid to consider, and I found my self thankful that I didn't have a regular job.

I've been a substitute teacher, I've worked in the school cafeteria, both great part-time but not regular jobs. I could still consider myself an at-home Mom, since I was home whenever the kids would be.

I started a job that was to be 20 hours/week a couple of years ago... that didn't work out to be what I expected - not enough time to get the work done, and yet too much time away from family! So I decided I still wasn't ready to be a "working mom", and continued with my part-time, occasional work.

Now I find that my several jobs keep me busy probably at least a couple of days a week... and I feel the NEED to do so, and not decline work, especially since my husband gets an unpaid day off each month (state shutdown days), and since costs continue to rise.

So maybe I need to accept it... I have become a working mom. I can no longer assume that what I don't finish up today, I can do tomorrow - I may have to work "tomorrow"... I am trying to be more motivated to keep the house picked up on a daily basis, and not wait for the day I'm home. I need to plan out meals, based on what time I'll get home, and which meals are either quick to make, or can be prepped ahead of time for simple warming.

I am finding it is good for the kids, as well. At 10 and 14, they are able to assume more responsibilities. I started teaching them to do laundry a while ago, but it was "easier" to just do it myself... in the long run, that helps neither the kids nor myself - it's part of the life skills they will need eventually. And that "eventually" is coming quickly!!! So this year, they will be doing some laundry, they will be planning meals and starting to cook.

And in this way, we will continue the gradual transition...