Swallowing Your Pride

What's there to swallow? Take pride in the job you have; you are able to help out with the finances and it's legal and nothing to be ashamed of.

Well, I too loved being home with my munchkin, had a great job before children, and have a Master's degree....and for 6 years I was the recess/lunch monitor at my son's school for the exact same reasons...and I didn't feel like I had to swallow anything

Enjoy!!!

My first response to anyone who is derisive about any job is - well, it's an honest way to make a living. Chin up.

Best,
F. B.

This may be a bit brusque, but here goes-- I've worked a variety of what people would consider menial or service jobs in my life and the ONLY time I ever felt like I was swallowing my pride was when I had to go wait for food at the food pantry.

When I couldn't support myself completely and had to ask for help, I had to swallow my pride. And then I did it with compassion for all of those in line with me who had also been struggling.

Every job has an inherent value. I see a lot of educated, returning to work moms getting lost in the employment market because they don't want to take the cashier job, they want to be the boss. A degree isn't any more 'who you are' than a job is 'who you are'. I hope you can take that kernel of wisdom away from this experience. It is only temporary. Think of it this way: you took this job because it allows you to hold onto the things you value most-- give others the same benefit of the doubt.

I have written and erased 3 answers. I just can't get past the arrogance of believing that having a job serving food to our children is something to be ashamed of. Not sure why you are ashamed of it. Also not sure you should be working in a school if you feel it's a job to be ashamed of. My kids loved it when I worked at the school.

And yes I have had to swallow my pride. When my husband had been out of work for 2 years and I didn't make enough to cover it. We had to apply for food stamps. I had to swallow my pride then.

Hey, that's a pretty nice gig you got going there - GREAT schedule!

I'm one of those housewives you mention. I'd NEVER judge you or look down on you because you work in the kitchen at my kids' school. I wouldn't pity you or put you on a pedestal. You'd simply be a person who is doing a job (a very necessary and important job, by the way). You'd be a person who helped my kids' school run smoothly, thus enhancing their school experience. No more and no less.

At least that's what I'd think initially. When you tell me your hours, the fact that you might get to see your kids during the school day, you can get summers and holidays off, and STILL get paid for it all? Well then I'd be downright envious. Like I said, you got a good thing going!

i understand.
it's 100% manageable, and you project exactly what you want people to take from it. if you are sheepish and embarrassed, that will come across and people will feel embarrassed for you. if you are bright and cheerful and have an air of fun about you, people will be tickled to see you there and you'll brighten their day.
other than the snarky mommies, who aren't please-able anyway and who cares about them?
i think it rocks that you found a job that so perfectly suits your life and schedule!
khairete
S. (who has done fast food, gas station attendant, scrubbed toilets, cleaned stalls and owned her own company)

Sorry, but it sounds like exactly the type of job you need right now. We all need reminders to not get too big for our britches, and it sounds like this is one for you.

ETAl: Really, the more I think about your post the more it bothers me. My MIL left her career as an Ob/Gyn with her own clinic in order to come to the US to give her family a better life. My FIL gave up his career as a mechanical engineer, where he was in charge of overseeing construction of gas stations across Europe and the Mid East to do the same. Do you want to know what types of jobs they worked when they came to the US. FIL worked in a factory building air conditioning units, as a gas station attendant, and for the past 22 years as a Wal-mart greeter (he worked his way up after cleaning the bathrooms there for the first few years). My MIL was never able to get a US medical license due to limited English proficiency (never mind that she knows 3 languages + English). She worked at a pharmaceutical company setting up lab tools, and later at Walgreens as a beauty advisor. Really, now THAT is a step down.

I hope this experience teaches you that everyone has a back story and that theirs might be a whole lot more tragic than yours.

Look up the Saturday Night Live skit with Adam Sandler and Chris Farley. I believe it is titled Lunch Lady Land. That is what came to my mind when I first read your post.

I get what you are saying but I really think it has to do with your own insecurity and caring what others think. We focus so much on becoming "successful" and not much on being happy with a job well done. Be the best lunch lady ever and bring joy and smiles to the kids you see each day. Focus on the freedom this job brings to your family's schedule and finances.

Sure, there might be some that look down on you but hey, guess what? Who gives a flying flip?? That really has to do with their own small mindedness, arrogance and insecurities which are not good human qualities.

You just focus on you and what is best for your little family. Find it in yourself to take pride in that hairnet!! You have made a choice to be with your kids as much as possible and also help support your family financially. Those are very admirable M. qualities!! I commend you.

I am a SAHM. I have a B.S. degree. I was a teacher before having kids. I don't know if I will ever go back to using my degree again. If people think I have wasted an education, or sit around watching tv and eating bon bons or think it is selfish of me to put the financial responsibilty on my husband's shoulders then they can just continue to fester in their self righteousness. And, I will continue to revel in the joy that comes from the life my husband and I created together. I seriously do not care what people outside of my home think about our/my life choices.

I see other moms doing exactly what you are doing. They are lunch ladies and recess duty ladies. I am grateful for the services they offer to my kids' school. Seriously, I have a handful of friends who have done exactly what you have done. They find a job that fits their family's schedule instead of forcing their family to fit their job schedule. I see too much of the latter...and families, especially children are paying the price.

The world could not function if we were all doctors, lawyers and rocket scientists!!! Sooo, when you put that hair net on tomorrow, look in the mirror and smile and walk into the lunchroom with your shoulders back and head held high.

To be honest, when I worked in school with my kids for years (various positions, including Lunch Lady) I kind of felt like I was the ENVY of other moms (upper middle income area) rather than the pion. After all, many of them actually needed 2 career incomes to pay the mortgage, and I KNEW stuff, like people came to me asking what happened in school, and what any particular staff member was REALLY like, etc. I also developed wonderful personal relationships with the people who were taking care of/teaching my kids everyday.

Also, if you are thinking you'll go BACK to your career eventually, your resume will look WAY better that you have been working in some capacity at least.

So, I'm not sure it's a question of pride exactly, as much as you're looking at it from an angle that doesn't really apply.

:)

I am a professional during the week. On the occasional weekend or holiday, I work in my friend's shop. It is really, really interesting to see the differences in how people speak to me and treat me when I am in jeans and a t shirt behind a counter versus in a suit behind a desk. I'm still me, so I have to assume that the difference lies with the other people. I think you are falling victim to the perception that a job that provides a service is somehow less. It really is silly- the whole thing is left over from feudal days! Those who could follow intellectual pursuits had money, other people did things to survive or serve those with money...so the lower class served, the upper class had "important" jobs that were not connected to survival.

To paraphrase Monty Python, help, help, you're being repressed! Enjoy your job, laugh at anyone who looks down at you. They have no idea why you have made your choices and it's none of their business!

Good for you. Sounds like the position suits your family and your needs :)

If anyone judges you - they suck, plain and simple. No need to swallow your pride.

I think most moms would applaud you - and would be envious. Your schedule and being around for your kids is what every mom wants. You made a wise choice in my opinion. And nothing to feel shame about.

I have friends (and a sister) who left corporate life who clean homes for the same reason you have. It works for them and there's really nothing shameful about it. We all clean our homes too!

I am sure your child's friends were just surprised to see you (like Oh! there's so and so's mom!). My kids' friends all look wide eyed when ever I show up at school.

You're a great mom. Don't feel any shame! :)

I have had a really gross job, I have a really cool job, and in between I have mostly worked with the public in customer service jobs. I have always taken pride in my work so I really don't understand the issue here.

Please take this constructively, you strike me as the personality type that looked down on me in those less than amazing jobs. It never bothered me because I did not put a lot of stock in superficial people. I mean it is like an ax murderer telling you that you were mean hitting a bunny with your car, can't really take that observation seriously.

I find this post rather interesting because it never occurred to me the hell these people put themselves through. I mean it never bothered me when people like you looked down on me but you feel this bad because you fear people will look down on you.

Just because it might make you feel better, most people don't think like you. Most people do not think less of you or look down on you because you are serving food. Your way of think is pretty much in the minority. Now I admit you may be friends with people like you, that could be a problem I suppose but most people are not going to look down on you, think any less of you because of what you do.

Maybe take this to be a life's lesson that your way of looking at others kind of stinks, make a change in your self, I really do think you will be happier.

I don't see the issue. Unless you feel it's beneath you.
(Do you clean toilets at home? Did you while you were working?)
A job that needs done is a job worth doing.
You said it yourself, this is the perfect job for you because it schedules around school.
You're not the only ex-career woman monitoring a playground or fishing out a sloppy joe. 😜
Chin up!

First of all -- PLEASE so not refer to witches in the negative. I am a witch my religion is Wicca. In ancient times witches were the healers and midwives for their village. Our religion is all about taking care of our Earth Mother and all of her inhabitants.

Now onto you question.... First get over yourself. A lot of people with advanced degrees or managerial experience have worked jobs such as yours. Many people work in retail part-time to get the company discount. You can buy clothing and shoes for your family at a great discount. You can purchase gifts also at a discount. I worked at Penney's for 3.5 yrs, I got a 20% discount. I would watch for the stuff to go on clearance and then keep watching until it was under $5. I could get huge gift bags of clothes for my grandchildren for around $20 I had managerial experience but at the time I took the job I had 4 generations of my family living under one roof. My mom was elderly and getting more sick and weak as time progressed. Penney's was very understanding if I needed to leave quickly because of an emergency at home and did not hassle me when I needed to take about 3 weeks off when mom fell and broke her arm. A lot of employers would have fired me.

This job works for you and your family. Why is it so important for you to prove yourself to a bunch of people not related to you? If they stand in judgment of you they are not your friends.

I had to swallow my pride when I worked fast food as a pregnant woman. Because I needed a job. I worked with mostly "grown" people, who had children and were supplementing their incomes.
I had to swallow my pride when I went into a homeless shelter as a pregnant abused woman.
I had to swallow my pride when I went on Welfare for 3 months after my son was born and I had no one.
I had to swallow my pride when I had to go to the food bank.
I know a ton of women that work in the kitchen in various schools. I think your job sounds perfect.
I don't want to sound rude, but you kind of have it made. You don't need to swallow your pride, you just need to get over yourself.
L.

Do you honestly think your fancy education makes you better then the people who do those jobs every day, for their life? Its not about swallowing your pride, it is about stopping being a snob who thinks jobs many do happily every day are somehow beneath you. Be thankful you found something with the ideal hours, many would jump at the chance.

Heck, if anyone questions why you would "lower" yourself to work at such a job, just tell them....

"I really love doing what I do! I quit the rat race 10 years ago and was blessed to be able to stay home and raise our children, which I felt was my ultimate job and duty to my children. I am able to work this part-time job, which still lets me be home for my children before and after school....... what else would I want out of life?"

Be proud of what you are doing!

Hey at least you aren't standing on the street corner saying "your place or mine"?

I get what you are saying but this was an answer to your prays so to speak. The hours are great and flexible. You found what works for your family Who could ask for more?

I think you are the one having the issue so you are projecting it onto others.

Don't swallow your pride, HAVE pride in this. Own it. I bet a lot of moms would be happy to trade places with you!!!

Both of our "lunch ladies" are school mom's! Very, very respected moms! Sounds like the perfect job for you and your family right now!

Oh, I SO can relate to this!
I'm working food service at my son's school too.
27 years in IT technology and my job goes off-shore and this is what I'm doing now.
I look at it this way:
There are no small parts - only small actors.
What ever it is you do, whether it's the most menial job there is - do it to the best of your ability with a smile on your face!
Arthur Treacher was never a leading man.
He made a career playing butlers.
He never made the big bucks, but it was steady work doing bit parts, and he eventually built his empire and started Arthur Treacher's Fish N Chips fast food chain.
Your satisfaction is in being able to be there with your child when school is not taking up his time - and that's not something a lot of other parents can do.
You get to enjoy snow days all over again!
Believe me - you are not alone!
Mothers from all walks of life end up serving food at school - some for a few years - others do it long term even after their own kids are off to college.

I don't want this to sound rude or that I am putting you down because I am not.

You should not be feeling this way, ALL jobs are important and needed. I get very frustrated at people thinking some jobs are beneath them. I see so many jobs available but most wont take a job where they may get dirty or actually have to work.

I see nothing wrong with doing what you are doing and I hope you don't let your kids think this job is beneath anyone. If you hold your head high then your kids, friends, etc. wont say anything bad about it.

Also remember that someone out there does have a crappy job, like the guy who had to empty my septic and clean the filter. YUCK!!! But I am grateful for him doing the job and let him know that (he also makes very good money, lol).

You are doing an important job that essential to all of the kids, and it's perfect for the stage of life that you are in now. Don't be a snob. And don't let anyone tell you that your job is not important. It is!

(And, FWIW, my grandma was a lunch lady, and if anyone tried to suggest that she wasn't one of the best people in the world, we'd have a real problem.)

ETA: The guy who created and starred in the TV show Dirty Job was on a panel on achieving success recently. He was interviewed on NPR afterwards. It was fabulous. He said that after working on that show, his perspective on success was entirely changed. It was really interesting, I may see if I can find the link.

Right after college I found myself degreed with a "solid" degree but zero prospects and rejection after rejection rolling out from interviews. I didn’t have the job experience to open the doors but without getting someone to hire me how was I going to obtain said experience? It was a maddening process.

Being practical I marched myself to a temp agency and had them help me get a job, any job. With my technical background they placed me in a patent admin role. It was a way to pay the bills and keep my foot sort of in the technical arena. Imperfect but such is life. However, I was surprised at how much flak I took in technical interviews over my patent admin role. I distinctly remember one guy giving me a really hard time during an interview over my patent admin experience. I came back with "I work because I have yet to convince myself or my dog to eat air and in case you haven’t noticed the economy is not super robust." Jerk.

It really annoyed me how much people looked down on me which in turn caused me question myself. How did a degreed technical person get herself in this “pickle”? Truthfully I got out of school at a bad time but it was back when you were not allowed to say that. You had to take the full blame.

To get over myself working in a “lesser” role and putting up with a-hole attorneys who actively looked down on me and asked way more of me than of other admins because of my education and a-hole interviewers who looked down on my patent admin role which had yielded skills they didn’t want to acknowledge, I took it bit by bit mentally. First I recognized a job can just be a job which fulfills basic needs - earning money to pay bills, allowing flexibility with a schedule to meet family needs, offering the opportunity to get out of the house for a bit each day, etc. Next I realized all jobs need to get done from “lowly” toilet scrubbing all the way up the line to CEO. Second people will judge. Full stop. Only I can give myself the grace to be me and do the best I can. I don’t need other people’s endorsements of my choices. Finally I started realizing all the skills I was developing which college could never teach me. I learned how to act in an office setting, how to be professional, how to be tactful and respectful, how to learn professional skills which are needed regardless of title and so. At that point I reached a place where I was content with my current job and yet able to continue looking without anger at a more preferred job. My change in attitude allowed me to be a better me and to realize I can only control my own reaction. Let the rest of the world judge. It’s not their life but mine so they and their opinions can go jump in a lake.

I say bravo to you for finding a job which suits your needs now. Let yourself enjoy that blessing without any strings attached. Good luck.

The non existant problem as I see it is how you think others will perceive you at the job you have choosen. Not having enough pride in making a sound decision that positively impacts your family is where I see this.

Your pride isn't so much at play as it is your vanity.

I did have a time where I had to get past my personal vanity. How did I do it by not thinking so much about myself but about the greater good. It's an honest service providing work you are doing. Providing nutritious meals for students, as well as being helpful to the other staff and making certain cost effectiveness and quality standards are maintained within the limitations of strict budget constraints.

Be proud of what you do and why. Your kids will be too and if any of their classmates or friends are being petty they can get valuable lessons too.

You are feeding children that need to be fed? Why would this not be an important job? Would you look down at another mother/father who was doing the same job--regardless of whatever education or background?
I work full time. I am a professor. I guess that means I am a fancy-pants professional. I have the utmost respect for the folks who work to support me...the one's who make sure there is toliet paper in the bathroom and that the bathroom is clean. The person who makes coffee and sells it to me.
The person who cleans the classroom I teach in. I could not do my job without these people and I respect the work that they do. You daughter and her classmates cannot learn without healthy food provided in a safe and clean environment. The teachers at her school cannot teach hungry children.
Stop worrying about what other people think about you and look at the big picture. It really does help to do this.

This is exactly what I want to do when my twins go to school. I hope to find that position. The reason for me is different, my twins are so much trouble that the school will be constatntly asking me to come and see the principal. I might as well get a job there :->
Chin up L. M, you bring smiles to their face's, u kind of represent the mom's that are not there. There is no greater good/joy than that. My son brings home some very fun stories from the lunch lady and how L. she is.
Thank you for doing what you are doing.

It's not your pride that's the problem - it's the (possible) arrogance of people in your circle. We have to stop looking down on people who do the jobs that need to be done. They are not beneath you! We don't give prizes for educational levels. We want our kids to be kind to everyone, not just those who "deserve it" based on the initials after their name.

From where I stand, you are teaching your kids that school lunch and nutrition matter. Wearing a uniform protects your clothes and identifies you as a professional in that field, not just someone who stopped by to throw a spoonful of something on a tray. You are wearing a hair net because you care about cleanliness and safety - like wearing safety glasses in the lab or workshop, a mask while welding, gloves while doing surgery or drawing blood. I love the reference below about the show Dirty Jobs. Like Undercover Boss, people are learning that the things they disdain are really important and difficult.

You make the assumption that managing people is more difficult or has more value. But you've made it clear that your priorities are your children and this job is perfect. So figure out why you feel the need to apologize for it, and what that attitude is teaching your children about respect for everyone. One of the big problems we face, in my mind, is that careers involving children or part time hours are undervalued and underpaid. Most teachers have second jobs, many stay-at-home parents have to take low paying jobs to make ends meet, and we worry about how to manage to pay day care workers who make so little. (Notice how everything related to children is low wage???)

If you get any push-back or disdain or comments from any other parents (or their kids), you'll know who is snotty and judgmental, and who to stay away from! Do not let small minds define your life.

You are seeing this job as lesser than your education. You didn't take this job to further your career and yet you seem to be bothered by this. One of my friends runs the kitchen at a private school including cooking and serving meals. She has a master's degree which has nothing to do with food service but she took this job so her kids would have free tuition at school. Another friend took an administrative assistant position which paid less than she was earning but had better benefits. She didn't go to school to be an administrative assistant but that's what she's been doing for 10+ years.

There will always be people who judge you based on your job. Or your looks. Or the car you drive. Or the neighborhood you choose to live in. People judge other people just as I'm sure you judge others on some level. This isn't about swallowing your pride and its not about impressing others. Your job is just as important as any other. As soon as you see yourself as doing something worth doing you will not care what others think.

You know, I used to look at the lunch ladies and wonder why they didn't choose to do something else. Then two of my friends became lunch ladies at our kids school and now they get to see my kids every day at lunch and be there for other things as well. Always count your blessings, because you never know who would really rather be serving kids chicken nuggets if it let them give their own kid a smile or a hug in the middle of the day.

You just have to stand tall and be proud. Easier said than done I guess. We just moved to an area (outside of DC) that has some extremely wealthy people. Extreme. My daughter now goes to preschool with people who have multi million dollar houses, nannies (along with a SAHM), gardeners, 4 living rooms, you name it. Wow. It's an interesting experience for me. Anyway, we just had the big preschool fundraiser. Each classroom has to come up with a project that the kids and parents help with...things like a quilt with handprints, or a large chalkboard with child artwork around it on the wood, or a table with the top tiled with tiles having kid artwork on them. These things go for $600, $750, $900...with families outbidding each other. Waaaay above our means. It's great for the school though. I was SO impressed with one mom I don't know well at all. She works full time and I have never had the chance to really talk with her. It turns out she works serving food at a restaurant and she was there serving everyone BBQ. She was dressed in her white serving clothes and she held her head high. I could tell she was proud of what she does. I could tell she had pride in what she was serving and how she was helping at the fundraiser. She just really impressed me....In this area especially I really appreciate someone who is down to earth and takes pride in serving others. I say just smile and chat with the kids and be proud. You have the perfect job really....I'm jealous of your amazing hours with summers and school holidays off. Maybe I can get something like this where I live!

First, don't swallow yuor pride. Keep it. You said you actually enjoy it so why hide? Anyway, I think I know where you are coming from. When I was growing up, the lunch lady wasjust that lady behind the counter/sneeze guard that gave us our food. She was not someone you got to know and honestly there was teasing about it if you bothered. Think of the teasing in old TV shows. For the most part, thinking has changed. And think about this---how many other moms get to say they saw their daughter at lunch? Your job is important and you can be successful in it. It does not matter how high up you are.

Why is it "swallowing your pride"? Take pride in the fact that you are home for your family and earning a little extra money at the same time. Most of those women working at their careers are working because they have to, not because they want to. They didn't plan well enough to be financially stable enough to stay at home and work part time.

I would not care what anyone thinks. It works for you! That's all that is important.

Once both my sibling and I were in school my mom worked at our school. She was a yard duty person, she worked in the office for a while. She got an early childhood degree and became a TA and later went on to teach. When in 5th or 6th grade I volunteered in the kitchen at lunch time.
Everyone knew my mom and no one felt it was "beneath" her to be working there. It worked out perfectly. The 3 of us went in together and we went home together. She was there for us in the mornings and she was there for us after school. She had the same time off that we did.
Funny story. As an adult my mom and I were shopping together in the mall for Christmas gifts. From one of the stores we heard a lady yelling "Mrs. X". We turned around and it was one of my classmates from elementary school. She remembered my mom from working at the school and remembered me, though of course I had grown up a good deal as it was in elementary school.
If others around you are petty enough to think you are "less than" and that this job is beneath you, they are fools. You are doing the job that fits best for you and your family. You'd be hard pressed to find any other job that has such a perfect schedule for the needs of your family.
I don't understand what pride there is to swallow here. You wanted to find a job that allows you the flexibility you need and you found it.

I don't know if this would make you feel any better, but a former client of mine posted a pic and comment on his facebook that said "I paid for 4 years of Cornell for this" and the pic was of a flower made from a radish. His daughter had majored in some kind of food sciences (I forget what it was called) and she was catering. Right after that, she went to work managing the cooking for a retirement home. (And she wasn't even a mom, or married...)

Truth is, college education moms don't always get to run companies and have jet-set jobs. Some end up doing what you're doing, and that's fine. It's up to you whether or not you can stand to wear the hairnet, or if you decide to work outside of your child's school doing something else.

Do you feel judge by them? Have they said anything to your DD?

As I've gotten older and wiser, I've learned not to judge people the way I did before I knew how the world worked. If you feel obligated to say anything you can say something like you did here. You are a team player with a PT job that fits the hours you need. Sometimes that means office work and sometimes that means serving food. If the kids say anything to your DD, you can tell her to say the same. And you can tell them/her that getting away from the computer is a nice change of pace sometimes. They may not understand it now, but it may help them see that jobs are not just one facet. Many was the day I was making copies, pushing stacks of supplies, or doing any other thing in the office that was needed - but the kids don't see that as much as they do your job. Doing what it takes is not limited to a cafeteria worker.

So, in summation, I agree to not swallow it, but show it. Show that this is a good job and you are happy to have it.

Honestly, I don't think anyone would look down on you. I live in a fairly affluent community and see mothers doing all sorts of things now. Most of us view it as a way to keep busy, see your kids, stay involved, make a few extra bucks etc. Are you in a super high end, no mothers ever lift a finger at home type town? Like mothers don't even take care of their own kids? If not, I really don't think it's anything to be at all embarrassed about. Like others have written, hearing your hours and exactly what you do will make some people jealous. It's incredibly common now for well educated, successful women to do part time gigs that aren't what they used to do or at that level. A SAHM at our school almost took over our lunch program. Not sure what the pay was going to be but probably not a lot yet I bet no one thought it was odd. She volunteered so much anyway, school needed someone and she'd be getting paid. I have a "important" job and never would have looked down on her. I figure she looks down on me for not being home with my kids as much as she is!

I think the best thing to do is to remind yourself that this is the perfect job for you, right now. You say you report after your kids leave the house, you are home before they get out of school, you have time to do the errands that need done, you are home for school summer breaks & you have money for the extras, etc, etc.

Also remind yourself that you had several previous jobs that were perfect for you, at the time. You were in a job that you excelled in and quit for a new job, being a SAHM.

Tell yourself that maybe this job in the school cafeteria isn't your forever job..but the perfect job for right now.

Not necessary to swallow your pride, but pat yourself on the back for getting the job that many would love to have :)

I think by the time your kids are in school most parents get that you do whatever you can to put your family to put your family first. And would see that you are doing just that.

The people who don't see that....probably never will. So why bother to explain.......

Be proud mama!

I think you are being too hard on yourself. I don't look down on someone because what they do or don't do.

Actually...I work in an office, wear office attire, direct people on what they can and cannot do or what we will accept, and today wore a suit.

As I was turning into a parking lot, the door of a big red dump truck in the construction across from us opened. Out jumped the cutest little blonde with a pair of jeans, construction boots, and a cotton button shirt with a tank underneath. I thought, "Oh, how fun!"

See, I used to work in a service department and I probably kind of looked like that, minus the cute blonde part. So reality set in and I said to self, "The reason for the dumb suit today is for an interview, hopefully for a promotion and our family needs this money. Boy do I miss having fun while I work.

(I do enjoy my current job, but seeing her as free as could be sure made me miss working outside.)

Signed,
Still thankful for my job.

Seriously? Serving kids food is an important job... I think of my little TK daughter and I hope like heck when we choose to let her get hot lunch that the lunch people are sweet to my daughter, and know how much she looks forward to her meal and we appreciate her being able to get it. :)

I doubt they are judging you. Now I'm going to read the other responses.

I hear you. Your feelings are valid in my opinion.

The schedule & close proximity to my children would help me push those pesky fears & worries out of my mind.