~"Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease." ~Lisa Alther
I was considering returning to the work force last September when the herd started back in school. The problem was that I didn't know what I wanted to do. You see, I haven't been gainfully employed in over thirteen years. And even then-the work that I had was
"interesting". In other words-not your typical kind of job.(unless you count dressing as a giant costumed character-or posing for artists as typical) Back then, my father liked to say to me (a lot) "Kid" (he called me kid because me being the youngest of six-he often forgot my name...although, he sometimes also called me "Pinky", which was the name of one of our cats that he
didn't forget...hhmmmm...)..Anyway, he'd look at me and say-"Kid-you just don't have any skills." Now in my
humble opinion-this simply was not true! I had/have skills-wonderful skills-mad skills! It's just that..well, they just aren't the kind of skills that are appreciated by most employers. Truth is-I am not very good at regular jobs. I am awful at answering phones, math, sitting still, computers-and forget any type of office machine! I once had a job that required me to make photocopies. For some reason-I could never get the machine to work correctly. I can't tell you(or maybe I'm just embarrassed to) how many nights that I snuck out of work (didn't want to get fired) with hundreds of sheets of misprinted papers stuffed in my back pockets. So many that I literally looked like a
Kardashian-at least from behind..
No, give me an irregular job any day-and I will floor you with my skills. Sadly, irregular jobs seem to be few and far between. Unless of course you count motherhood. Which truly is an odd job-only you don't get paid. Oh I know..there are many who would say "But you are paid in love!!" First of all...yuck, and second- Yup-I am..absolutely..sometimes even over paid..but you know, it would be nice to maybe occasionally get some cash or even a gift card for a job well done. Not that I'm complaining-really, I'm not. I guess I'm just tired of" bringing home the bacon"-literally.
Back in September, I thought that I would have lots of free time. The herd are all (finally) full time students-I should have hours and hours of "spare" time. Right?..*sigh* wrong. They are getting older now-and it is time to start gently
pushing nudging them into the world. This year, three of them are involved in extracurricular activities. The girls are in scouts, Sam is playing on the basketball team...and Oscar? Well, I haven't quite found a fit for him
YET. Although, I did try to start a social group for parents of special needs kids. Something where we could get our kids together and do things. But the story behind that not happening is post for another day.
These extra activities haven't really been too stressful. It has just been a matter of getting the right kids to the right places at the right time. They mostly like
being forced out of leaving the house-or rather the computer and t.v...and it has been fun for them-me too. (at least after the initial game of" where are your shoes?!" or jackets, gloves, socks, shorts...and one time-clothes) But, things have taken a dark turn-and it has come in the form of cookies. Yes, it is THAT time of year-the time when you are approached by young girls looking hopeful while clutching crumpled order forms to their chests-followed closely by steely eyed parents just daring you to say "no thanks." Yup-it's Girls scout cookie time-and I am in so much trouble.
Both of my girls are selling cookies. Both of my girls need to sell one hundred boxes in order to earn a badge. Both of girls are thrilled at the
idea of selling cookies-it is the actual
doing that stumps them. Even though we have been given valuable tips on how to sell them...You know, the usual- "Stay safe" "don't go into houses" or my personal favorite "have your parents sell them at work!" (Kind of hard when you are a stay at home mother. I mean I'm sure I could interest my dogs in them-but they don't have any money...that I know of.) All of these "tips" and "advice" really translate to "Get your parents to come with you/or/do all the work."... in the case of my girls-"Get your mother to sell them." *sigh* Have I mentioned that I am also horrible at sales?
Me "Hey-how are you?"
Other Parent-"Great. How are the kids?"
Me-"They are really doing well this year. The girls are in scouts."
Other parent-"That's great! How do they like it."
Me-"So far so good. You know they are selling cookies."
Other parent-(looking everywhere but at me) Oh....yeah..um..well..."
I know that this is when I should go in for the hard sell..that this is the time to
remind them that I have
bought every cookie, nut, magazine that their child has ever sold. That the money from these sales really does go to good causes..that I am desperate....but instead..
Me-"Hey it was good seeing you.."
I'll say it again- I stink at sales. I am not comfortable asking people to buy things-even if it is for a good cause. It just makes me anxious-as does observing people looking away quickly when they see me coming. Which leaves me wondering how are my girls (who am I kidding-how am I) going to
get rid of sell seven hundred dollars worth of cookies? I have really been working on this-and have finally come to this conclusion. Like it or not-Omar is going to be selling a lot of cookies at work tomorrow. Now
THAT is what I call "problem solving." No skills-indeed! Seems that motherhood has made me a whiz at delegating. I just have to figure out how to make this work on a resume...
