Bittersweet

I just dropped my son off to daycare for the last time in the foreseeable future.

He starts first grade next week, and had I been working full time, would have required an hour of care before and after school. I am working 15 hours. Because that's what I'm down to at my formerly full time job, the one I've worked at since the mid-nineties.

Hubby and I have decided that we want me to work part time, but this is kind of ridiculously part time. However, most 25 hour a week jobs would probably pay less weekly than I am making at 15 hours a week.

I may be laid off again within weeks, which will prompt an aggressive job search, as my unemployment was pretty much drained this winter. Right now I am very passively looking - Only for my "dream" part time job.

So why bitterweet? Is it because he has gone to that daycare for most of the first 6 years of his life? Is it because he is suddenly such a big kid? Is it because most of his closest friends were met there? Is it because the only job I've known for so long is probably about gone kaput?

Probably a combination of all those things. A few hours of work for me this afternoon, then off to enjoy a 4 day holiday weekend, and the first day of school...and whatever else is to come.