Well, my first 20 hours are done, and things seem to be going well. I'm having fun, working with great people, and although there is much to learn, I'm not feeling totally overwhelmed. The only significant downside seems to be with the kids. This week and next are their two weeks of winter break, so they have been home from school all day every day. That means that they have been spending a whole lot more time with the nanas. Turns out (surprise!) they aren't so happy for daddy to be gone two and a half days.
Ben had been excited by my starting work at first. Then I explained that I would be working, but Mommy wouldn't be changing to part time work. No more mommy, just less daddy. Sobbing, he grabbed my head and claimed he would never let go. Thus started my first day of work, and my second. Today, day three, seemed better at first. When I got home, however, things were quickly revealed to be not as great as I thought. I had children alternating in crying over tiny little things, and finally after Jen got home and we started dinner, Ellie had a total breakdown about which prayer we said.
Turns out, after coaxing from Jen, she was just feeling really overwhelmed by my being gone so much, being out of school, and just life in general.
So, tough few days. Once school starts again I think we all will be better, but working part time is not going to be an easy transition.
