Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A doctor will not label me as temporarily disabled because I'm not. I feel as though I am not only capable of working, but that I will benefit from doing so. My therapist agrees with me.
How long have you been seeing this therapist for? I was under the assumption that you only started seeing them after the death, which was 2 weeks ago? That is nowhere near enough time for a therapist to get to know someone well enough to judge that they are doing that great with the death and would be ready for work. They don't know how you normally handle yourself, if you are an emotional person, and if so, if you normally show these emotions or hide them. I could fake it as well at a therapy appt, and not even with trying, but that doesn't mean I am able to handle going back to work. I think the therapist is agreeing that you need to keep yourself busy, but finding a new position with people you don't know and working with kids, where like other PPs mentioned, don't allow you to be able to have a breakdown mid-day if it were to happen. I think the other suggestions of volunteering for a while, where you could freely leave if you were to get upset about something would be best, then start with a PT position and move into FT work again.
Anonymous wrote:A doctor will not label me as temporarily disabled because I'm not. I feel as though I am not only capable of working, but that I will benefit from doing so. My therapist agrees with me.
I spent the entire first week after his passing doing nothing but sitting around and grieving and mourning but that had to stop. Sitting around and doing nothing but crying and grieving is not healthy for more than a week or so (and maybe not even healthy for that long). I had to get out of the house and do things. I am young and I have to live my life. I'm not saying that I am on the market in terms of dating or anything (trust me, I won't be for a long time), but I need to be out of the house doing things, connecting with friends and family, making money, and trying to have some kind of normalcy in my life. Putting my entire life on hold for an entire year would not benefit me and it would just encourage me to mope around and feel sorry for myself.
I'm not saying that I'm over his death, I'm not. I am in mourning and I am still grieving; I will be for a long time. I cry everyday but it is in private and it is generally silent tears, not uncontrollable sobbing (that was the first week).
I would not normally disclose this much of my personal life to a public forum on the internet but I feel like people are seeing me as cold and heartless for feeling like I am ready to be working again already.
You also have to keep in mind that it can take months to find a suitable nannying position in some areas (especially the area I am in!) and that though I am searching and interviewing for jobs right now that it will probably be at least several weeks before I am in a position.
Anonymous wrote:A doctor will not label me as temporarily disabled because I'm not. I feel as though I am not only capable of working, but that I will benefit from doing so. My therapist agrees with me.
Anonymous wrote:Go tell everyone who's Jewish and sits shiva that to grieve for a week for a loved one is unhealthy. I dare you.
Anonymous wrote:I think that after two weeks you are still in shock and haven't begun to grieve. I don't say that as a criticism; rather, a warning that his death is going to affect you in ways you aren't expecting and that's ok. I'm very sorry for your loss.
I would not share that much information with prospective employers. I would simply say you moved back home to be closer to family. Once you have established a relationship with a family you can provide more details if you choose to do so.
Anonymous wrote:OP here -- I'm wondering what middle-aged people do if their spouse passes away? Most work places allow some time (maybe up to five days for a close relative) off but do they just quit their job? Take a leave of absence (if their position will allow it)? How do they pay their bills? My Fiance's parents returned to work one week after he passed. I just don't think it's practical for people to take extended periods of time off from work when someone passes away. Yes, there is mourning, there is grieving, but life must go on. Bills must be paid. I am just wondering what other people do.