Thursday, March 20, 2008

my split personality

So... It went well. I'm totally conflicted about this situation, so it's hard to get very enthused about a potential job, but I'd say it went about as well as it could have gone.

Apparently there are a few different options at different law firms that might work, but most of them want me to come into the office, rather than work out of the home. This leads to the always present problem of working out the economics of having to hire a babysitter or finding a daycare. The starting pay for contract attorneys isn't that high, although they assured me that the rates go up as you go along. Josh and I need to work the numbers, because it is possible that tutoring in the evenings and on weekends might even pay more than doing legal work because I wouldn't need childcare. How crazy is that?

My headhunter did make one comment that introduced a whole new idea into the mix. She has tons of contract work that requires a full-time commitment, but they are short projects. One week, maybe two, tops. It is conceivable that I could go in for one intense week per month, or two intense weeks over a couple of months, rather than a smaller amount every week. I don't know why, but that resonated with me. I might find it easier to leave Gabe for 40 hours in one week, knowing that I wouldn't have to leave him again for another 3 or 4 weeks. Is that nuts?

Basically, I'm waiting to hear the final word back from the headhunter, and in the meantime, I'm scouring my own brain to see if this is what I want. Do I want to take a break from law and jump somewhere totally new and fun? Or am I not ready to make that decision? Should I do contract work just to keep law on my resume and figure it out as I go along?

Ugh, decisions, decisions. For now, I'm taking a break from thinking about it and snuggling this adorable boy on the floor while he points at everything in the room and calls it a "cahhhhrrr". Maybe a babysitter could teach him some new words?

9 comments:

Maribeth said...

Close your eyes, hug Gabe and just let things be for today. You'll figure it all out later. I know you will!

Kathy Rogers said...

My 2 cents: Once you put the law thing down, it is hard to get back in. I'd take the contract gigs, if the numbers work out.

Good luck!

Butterflyfish said...

Its a constant struggle. Sigh. Thinking good things for you.

Anonymous said...

ahhhh, possibilities. you'll figure it out. hang in there!

Kristi said...

That's a tough one. If you feel that law is your life's professional passion, you might want to stick with it, even by doing the contract work, so you can return to it once Gabe is old enough to go to school. But, if you feel as if you're done with the law phase of your life, then now seems like a good time to branch out and try something new. Good luck!

My Wombinations said...

These decisions are so hard, but I am with Kristi in the sense that you have to follow both your passions. If law really will make you happy, do that. Otherwise, do what will allow you the most time with Gabe.

purple_kangaroo said...

Mhh, both options do sound interesting. I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

Montreal Mama said...

I am sure everything will work itself out in the end. Do let us know what option you will be going with. I feel like I'm in the same boat - working would be good (besides my at home job and my at home job with Sean). I'm not ready to give him up for Daycare and go back to work! (Especially not with Mackenzie on the way!)

Can you believe our boys are 15 months old?

mamatulip said...

It will all work out in the end - I truly believe that.

Good luck!