After my hubby and I got married over 10 years ago, he was offered a great job and we moved away to a new city.
Finally after 2 months of searching and LOTS of baking (no kids ~ needed something to fill my time) I got a job as a Program Assistant in an autism program at a n Intermediate school district.
90% of the kids I worked with were severely autistic. They were in our program because their home school districts did not have programs that could accommodate them.
It was hard, stressful, and at times painful and frustrating.
Hair was pulled.
Body parts were bitten, scratched, hit and kicked (I still have scars).
Things were thrown.
Water bottles dumped.
Papers ripped.
Toys chewed.
But I can't even begin to explain to you how rewarding this job was and how sad I was when my hubby and I made the decision that I would stay home.
The way my heart would jump with excitement when a 12 year old non-verbal boy would make mmmmm sounds and mimic me when I said oooooh and aaaaah.
The joy I felt when I could get one student to walk to the noisy cafeteria, sit, and eat his lunch. Although he ate quickly, he DID it! He ate in a very chaotic atmosphere alongside his peers.
The sense of pride I felt when a student was successfully taught a way to cope instead of jumping up and pulling someone's hair or biting himself or another person.
Success was measured. Parents expressed their happiness to us. I enjoyed my coworkers and students.
And now I am going on 6 years of being a stay at home mom. I often wonder if I am doing enough. There is no raise, no evaluations, no feedback. And what at times feels like little appreciation.
My kids (not to mention my hubby) seem happy. They're healthy. They get good grades at school. They have a good understanding of God. But is it enough?
It makes me wonder anyway especially when my children ask me what I want to be when I grow up.
How do I make them understand that I want to be their mom, and foster love, respect, honesty faith and fun?
Some days, it I think it would be much easier to get the kids off to school and daycare, leave my house and go to work. But as unmeasured as my current job may be, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
I want to be here for Smiley's firsts, to greet Action and Sassy when they get off their buses. To cuddle, to read, to teach and to love them. And my pay check ~ a hug, a snuggle, a love note from Sassy, a success for them at school or in sports, or a giggle as we play. Those are the things that really mean the most, and their affect is UNMEASURABLE.
Happy Monday!
And don't forget to look for the Ordinary Miracles!
