Week Three of Doug @ Home

I guess we are entering week 3 of Doug not having a paying job. It has definitely been a transition for us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. 

The obvious is Doug staying home, for the most part, with our girls. He has applied for unemployment benefits – which requires him to make at least three job search contacts per week. He is also applying to companies that his former bosses recommended among a few others. He is sort of getting in a depressed mode and openly admits it. I think it is probably tougher on men then women to be laid off and not find a job right away. Especially when his salary has been double or more of mine – very few people are in ministry because they get a high paying salary.

Ellie is in pre-school Monday- Thursday from 9-11:30ish and Katie is not in daycare for now. We envision perhaps having them return for 1 or 2 full days a week just so Doug can have the time to really focus on applications etc. Ellie actually says “I can’t wait for Daddy to get a job because then I can have school lunch with my friends again”. We realize that Katie isn’t getting much ‘educational’ interaction =like the infant/toddler montessori curricula she’s been used to. Doug took her to a library story time for toddlers today and she apparently just sat and observed.

As for me I’m trying to stay strong for him and help out in extra ways. For instance, I host a drop in playtime on Wednesday a.m.’s and Thursday afternoons at church for infant,toddlers,preschoolers and so I bring our girls along (or have Doug drop them off) then he comes and picks them up or I bring them home. This allows him time for job searching but it cuts into my available work time because I often try to get in a little early on Wednesdays and do a little bit of work before the playtime on Weds and stay a bit later on Thursdays to wrap things up before the weekend. (I generally take Friday/Saturday off). Additionally I’ve been coming home to relieve him on Mon,Tues,Wed, evenings so that he can either go to his meetings/band rehearsal or have the evening to send out resumes/cover letters. I try to get some church work in after girls have gone to bed (sometime between 8p & 9:30p) and some house work or free time

sentially am exhausted at bedtime and start all over the next morning. I feel like I’m slacking in being as productive as I possibly can at work because all I want to do is curl up and take a nap for the first few hours. By the time I get going it is time to move on to teaching at Trinity (which I am loving btw), leading my PEPs group, or the end of the day before I go home.

We’ve been making appts left and right for dental, eyes and otherwise because our health insurance coverage ends at the end of the month. I get a stipend from work but not membership in a health plan.

I/We are thankful for the prayerful support and encouragement of our family,friends, and church (these include many of you who might be reading) and it means a lot that others are rooting for Doug. We also know others are also searching for jobs longer than this or dealing with major health issues with family members that makes our situation small in comparison. We are praying for you.

Well, i’m at a point where I keep dozing off as I write this and Katie is crying off and on. Doug’s getting home…. time for all of us to sleep. Thanks for letting me vent a bit.

Good night.