The Journey Begins
Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Who Am I?
My name is Tiana. I am a forty-year-old married mom of three kids who works part-time and I am in the midst of a bit of an identity crisis. I am a firm believer in the village mentality – “It takes a village…” So I am putting myself out there to explore and delve into the part-time working experience as a mom and see if I can educate myself on how to better navigate it and the challenges that go along with it. I am looking to talk with others, listen to others’ stories, look for tips, tricks, and strategies, and seek out resources that can help me (and maybe others too!). I would love if you would be a part of my “village” as I work to develop a better sense of who I am as a mom who works part-time – and let’s be honest, who I am in general. 🙂
My Identity Crisis
My identity crisis came to a head last summer when I attended my 20-year high school reunion with our youngest about to enter grade 1 – which meant three kids attending school all day. I knew that I had a part-time contract position for the winter semester (I am a teacher) but I had nothing for the fall. No plan. For a type A, planner type like myself this was a little uncomfortable – actually a lot uncomfortable!
High School Reunion
What happens at a reunion? Well, everyone asks you what you are doing? My classmates had been up to some fairly amazing things (including working on the Paris Climate Change Agreement and working with the United Nations etc.) so… I had some significant anxiety leading up to my 5-day reunion extravaganza. When asked the question – I responded honestly that I was really just figuring myself out. The responses that I got to this were surprising. Things like – I’m also feeling like what I’m doing is not working for me, I’m needing a change, I went through the same thing recently, etc… What?? It was so refreshing to be transparent and open and to realize that I am not the only one struggling to find my way in the “jungle”! It feels good to know that I am not alone.
Why I Choose to Work Part-Time
I prefer to work part-time. For our family’s juggle and for me – part-time is what works best. My husband has a busy job as a school principal, we have three kids who are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, and I am not good at being home full-time or good at working full time. I have been navigating The Part-Time Jungle for 12 years – ever since the birth of our first baby. I have done a job share, gone back to university to get my Master’s degree, taught an adult upgrading evening class, done curriculum writing, worked with a non-profit organization supporting children with developmental delays, and I have taught at a university – and had two more kids in there as well!
Part-Time Work is Not Without It’s Challenges
There have been interesting challenges with working part-time. One is that many of my positions have been contract positions. Today is my kids’ first day of school and I find myself in the exact same spot as last year at this time with a teaching contract position at the university for winter semester but not for fall. I really had my fingers crossed for fall classes but no dice!
Thanks for joining my journey. I would love to hear about your journey. It’s a jungle out there!
– Tiana
It takes a village! Join “The Part-Time Jungle” community!
Check out The Part-Time Jungle Podcast – all about swinging motherhood and work!
Meet my family including my husband (Jason) and our three monkeys (Rylan, Easton, and Carter)! They are all a huge part of my Part-Time Jungle!