If there's one thing you should know about me: I'm always looking to improve as a person. I expect a lot from myself. I mean, my son is almost 8 months old and has 2 teeth and I'm still breastfeeding him. (He has had less than 10 bottle feedings in his life-- that is pretty good, right?)
Well, the opportunity to work as an overnight staff in a Group-Foster Home setting (for privacy purposes, I can't go into much detail about the company I am working for) arose, I had to jump on it! I work from 11pm-8am / Friday and Saturday from 11pm-9am. The house I'm working at serves females who come from various backgrounds. It is a therapy-centered setting, as most of these children are victims of different types of abuse, neglect, hardships, etc.
Adjusting to my new sleep schedule has been strange- but I feel fortunate because my children are asleep when I leave the house and just waking up when I get back. This job doesn't take any time away from them. And, now I have peace and quiet to get some writing done since I'm going to be awake anyway. It's a win/win situation.
I feel that as long as I'm young enough and have the motivation and energy, I should be working. Garrett and I strongly live by the motto, "Sic Parvis Magna" -- Latin for "Greatness from Small Beginnings" -- and by seizing the opportunity that God lays out for us-- I feel that we are living that motto. Is it an ideal situation? Probably not. But, more money in the bank for our family makes other things possible in the future. (Like the 2014 RV plan!)
This job has been a bit taxing on the heart. One of my girls attempted suicide on Thursday morning. It is something I cannot explain, to see such young girls in the depths of despair. As most of you know, I had a very non-traditional upbringing and I have an unfortunate ability to relate to them because of that. I very, very easily could have been in a setting like this had the State ever become involved in my home life. I feel like this is a calling for me, to be a constant bearer of strength for these girls. It's a healing process and a reminder of how delicate and fragile children really are. I am now a Foster mother and I intend to do right by these girls. I want to show them that one day it will be okay.
So-- that's what is new with me.
Well, the opportunity to work as an overnight staff in a Group-Foster Home setting (for privacy purposes, I can't go into much detail about the company I am working for) arose, I had to jump on it! I work from 11pm-8am / Friday and Saturday from 11pm-9am. The house I'm working at serves females who come from various backgrounds. It is a therapy-centered setting, as most of these children are victims of different types of abuse, neglect, hardships, etc.
Adjusting to my new sleep schedule has been strange- but I feel fortunate because my children are asleep when I leave the house and just waking up when I get back. This job doesn't take any time away from them. And, now I have peace and quiet to get some writing done since I'm going to be awake anyway. It's a win/win situation.
I feel that as long as I'm young enough and have the motivation and energy, I should be working. Garrett and I strongly live by the motto, "Sic Parvis Magna" -- Latin for "Greatness from Small Beginnings" -- and by seizing the opportunity that God lays out for us-- I feel that we are living that motto. Is it an ideal situation? Probably not. But, more money in the bank for our family makes other things possible in the future. (Like the 2014 RV plan!)
This job has been a bit taxing on the heart. One of my girls attempted suicide on Thursday morning. It is something I cannot explain, to see such young girls in the depths of despair. As most of you know, I had a very non-traditional upbringing and I have an unfortunate ability to relate to them because of that. I very, very easily could have been in a setting like this had the State ever become involved in my home life. I feel like this is a calling for me, to be a constant bearer of strength for these girls. It's a healing process and a reminder of how delicate and fragile children really are. I am now a Foster mother and I intend to do right by these girls. I want to show them that one day it will be okay.
So-- that's what is new with me.
I can sympathize with having to change sleeping schedules. What worked for me was to start doing it a few days prior to my first day at work. Made things a bit more tolerable.
ReplyDeleteAs for your job, being able to personally relate/understand what these girls are going through is a major plus. Gives you a step up on your co-workers.
I feel I have been lucky so far-- it hasn't been too bad-- but I know I can only run without sleep for so long. :)
DeleteSounds like an emotionally intense job--I hope you can be sympathetic and empathetic without being consumed, which is so easy to do when you're acting as a caregiver.
ReplyDeleteRight you are-- to not be consumed is going to be a lot of work. It's hard not to be....
DeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for signing up for the Blog O'hop and wow, dude... good luck with the Foster Mom stuff and your new(ish) baby... Breast feeding is hard... we've three boys and I don't know how my wife does/did it....
GOOD LUCK :)