One More Week

This week is my last week of maternity leave before I go back to work.  Before Maddy was born, I was addicted to work.  I am the Director of Admissions at a private, four-year college here in Washington.  Before Maddy came along, I would work my regular hours, usually coming in early and going home late.  Then, when I went home, I would be on my laptop responding to emails.  I was a workaholic.  I was convinced that everything would stay the same after Maddy came along, but I think I am changed! 

I am not looking forward to returning to work.  Yes, I love what I do.  I work with high school students helping them get to college.  I am what they call in the college admissions world as a "lifer."  Most people that start in college admissions do not stay very long because it is a draining job.  Every Fall, admissions professionals are on the road for three plus months.  Once they are back in the office, it's all about getting students to apply and commit to attending the university.  It can be draining, but also very rewarding.  Most of us don't last... but I have.  I've been in the profession for six years now and have moved up from an entry-level Admissions Counselor to the Director of Admissions. 

I thought it was going to be easy to go back to work.  But, it's going to be so hard to leave my Maddy.  I wish I could be a stay at home mom.  And, I probably could, but I just started this job a year ago and I need to put in a little more time.  Plus, I have a directors position - I can't leave that behind (yet).

So, I'm going to go back to work even though it is going to make me so sad.  I'm going to push my way through and see how it works out.  However, maybe in a little while I will become a stay at home mom... only time will tell. 

Winning the lottery would definitely help to make the stay at home mom thing a reality!  I probably need to start playing though... maybe we'll pick up a ticket today.  Wish me luck :)