I resigned from my day job. I only gave one day notice. My adult bosses were very understanding. My four-year-old boss was OK with it and we are still waiting to hear what my 9-month old manager has to say.
I resigned from my day job. I only gave one day notice. My adult bosses were very understanding. My four-year-old boss was OK with it and we are still waiting to hear what my 9-month old manager has to say.
As mentioned in a previous blog, our daughter, son-in-law and family moved from Ohio to our home on April 1st The relocation was eagerly anticipated and planned way before the virus had any say in the matter. The original plan (and you know what happens when you make plans!) was that the kids would live with us for several months while they looked for a new home. Our grandchildren would go to a local day care four days a week. I would babysit two days a week, my grandson on Tuesday and my granddaughter on Wednesday. A perfect and blessed arrangement, right?
But then the virus also moved into the US and everything changed.
Since April 1st my husband, Mitch, and I have been babysitting for both kids from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. This opportunity is a once in a lifetime moment to bond with our grandchildren. And bond we do! Our love for these two beautiful children is boundless.
Two weeks ago, our eldest grandchild started preschool. This was a hard decision for me; everyone else seemed to be onboard. I had to change my mindset from worrying about seeing close friends even while wearing a mask to feeling comfortable with my grandson going to daycare and coming back in the house! My germaphobe side envisions virus everywhere. My rational side knows the day care is following protocols to keep everyone safe. He was attending three days a week and home two days a week.
So why did I resign? It started or perhaps ended when Mitch fractured his foot. He was unable to weight bear, uses crutches and had to retire from babysitting. I was already stressed out and now he was unable to help with the baby or our grandson.
I saw myself change. I went from a mildly, ok moderately stressed out, individual to a woman who couldn’t relax. I even yelled at my sweet son-in-law. Who was I?
I finally went to our daughter and son-in-law and said that I did not like who I was becoming, a stressed-out nut. Unfortunately, they agreed!
The baby was originally scheduled to start day care mid-July 16, and we were able to move it up to mid-June. Our grandson added two more days to his schedule. Our kids had no problem with their children going to daycare, they were waiting for me to agree.
This was my first weekend knowing that I was “free to be me” the following week. Yes, I am sad and somewhat guilty. I know this was the original plan. It was never intended that we would be full-time childcare. But I am disappointed that I had to resign. I know this is a temporary resignation. I have babysat my local grandson once a week for four years and I plan (there is that word again!) to babysit both grandsons Tuesdays and my granddaughter on Wednesdays this Fall.
I look forward to starting my day job again in the Fall. I am humbled by this experience and the realization that at age 62, full-time childcare during a pandemic got the best of me.
Buffalo News Link below:
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That was a very touching read. Good job Vickie🙏
Thanks, Don!!!!!