What makes a working mom love her job?
For me it was the below. I'd love to hear what it is for you.

The Working Environment
My first 5 years (out of 8) with my employer was amazing. I was an integral part of the company's achievements. Everyday was a challenge and I loved it. I was also rewarded pretty well over those 5 years. Financially and emotionally. During those five years, I made great friends. Really. We shared lunches, retreats, holiday parties, sorrows, joys and good times together. We cheered each other on, came running when someone needed a hand and got along better than most families.

The Management Team
Probably the best thing about management was, their acceptance and understanding of the fact that I was a single mom of two. I couldn't dedicate every waking minute to the company. I couldn't work late nights and weekends as other employees did. If I needed to work from home one day because one of the kids was sick, that was fine. Need to take the day off for a reward ceremony? Leaving early for a PTA meeting or report card night? FIne, just give notice beforehand. They understood my schedule and worked around it. My children were also welcomed there. If I didn't have childcare that day, that week, I could bring them in. Everyone was always nice to them and conscious of the fact that there were two impressionable girls within hearing distance. Those who forgot would hand them a quarter.

Financial Investment
As I mentioned, I was rewarded well. The achievements I made there were never expected from me. Instead, management was always amazed and appreciative. I overcame challenges that leaded to new revenue, in return I was given raises between raises. Our health insurance was paid fully by the company. My vacation time increased with every year and I was paid for every single holiday.

In Return . . .
I was an extremely loyal employee. I can't tell you how many job offers I turned down. In return, I gave them my all. When I wasn't at work or with the kids, I invested my personal time into developing ways to better our services, to make us one of the best. Days that were slow, I found ways to keep busy, to always be productive and not just surf the web on my employer's dime. When I was out I answered emails and sometimes had to sign in to a computer at work remotely from home to fix technical issues.

So What Happened?
Three years ago, the dynamics of the work environment changed. Department heads changed, employees were let go, new people were hired (not as much as were let go) and my responsibilities now included the duties of 5 other positions. Appreciation for one's contributions was scarse. Everyone for their self attitudes prevailed. With it went our quality work, our good reputation and quite a few clients. Due to the economy and new management's need to impress potential clients by buying them $200 gift cards, our health insurance changed. I was paying $600 a month into the premium, $30/$50 co-payments to doctors and specialists, and 65% of dental work. Raises went on a "freeze". My children were no longer welcomed and days off were frowned upon.

The Outcome?
continued here . . .