Kind of OT - New Job

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Kind of OT - New Job
5
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 12:52pm

I did it. I am making the big plunge and going back to work, be it very slowly.

I actually got a job from a friend who owns her own OT business. She needs an aide with experience to help with newly graduated COTA's. She wants me to help them learn how to actually work with special needs kids too. They have potential but they are young, that sort of thing. That to me sounds like a load of fun. Plus she is meeting the wage I wanted (which still isn't much) and working with the times I wanted. I am only working a couple days only during school hours.

It is a step back from what I have done, but I can't go into full time teaching at this time with the kids and I have to have really flexible hours. Mike can't handle any kind of daycare situation. I need to have flexibility to come home when I need to if the school calls. And this is not in our district. I didn't want to work in our district either due to conflict of interest.

I start next tuesday. Wish me luck.

Last night I had a dream. It was my first day of work and I was dropping dave off at a child care (my friend is watching him 3 hours a day, no childcare. This was a dream) Anyway I got to childcare and they tell me I had to drive all these kids other places only I couldn't get them in the car. I looked at my watch adn I was 4 hours late for work. LOL. Think I am a little stressed?

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 4:09pm

Sounds like an anxiety dream....afraid of taking on too much. Anyhoo....the job sounds great - interesting. I hope you like it. I keep toying with the idea of going back to work or school but juggling daycare and after school care is just to scary (and costly) to deal with right now. Maybe next year...

Good luck!
Christie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 4:11pm
Congrats renee! you will be awesome and it sounds exciting. Valerie
~Valerie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 6:25pm

Christie,

That is exactly one reason why I took the job I did and why I have waited this long. First, the cost of daycare just wasn't worth it and I love being home. Now they are in school so it is easier. Dave will stay with my friend and it will max at 3 days a week and just when he is not in kindie.

Mike can't handle staying with anyone else. Any other job and I would have to put them in aftercare. Not only costly but a disaster waiting to happen.

Working for my friend I was able to hand pick my hours.

I have an elementary ed degree, expired credentials, loads of experience with special needs. some classes towards my masters (then Cait was born). I was a lead home therapist for an ABA company. Actually wrote programs, IEP's that stuff. But I can't commit now to that kind of job. Needless to say my mother wasn't too thrilled when she heard what I was doing to go back into the field. But baby steps.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 6:27pm

Thanks Val.

The best part is going to be molding young minds on how to work with special needs kids. I really feel this is a awesome opportunity to make a difference. To see these kids as just that, kids first. Wonderful, quirky, sweet, special kids. And to teach these young OT's how to speech the language or autism and appreciate it.

There is just so much negativity and bad blood out there. So much burn out. That part won't make me money but it sure as heck will make me feel good.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 7:05pm

Congratulations and good luck, Renee!!!

michelle