A Day in the Life of a Social Worker

Wake up at 5:45, eat my massive bowl of cereal, and watch the weather report. Since I am in the office about 15% of the day and out in the "field" the other 85%, the weather plays a greater role in my life than I would like. 80% chance of rain....perfect.

6:50 Head out the door, mentally going over my appointments for the day.

7:15 arrive at work, gather my files for my visits - it usually ranges from 5-7 visits a day. Today I have 6, a pretty busy day. Collect the paperwork and resources I will need since this will probably be my only time in the office, and stuff all of these files/documents into my gigantic "walking office" as I like to call it. Better known as a big bag that is far too heavy for any normal human being to carry around all day, pulling their shoulder out of socket.

8:00 Head back out into rush hour traffic to my first visit, which happens to be one of my very favorite families. I do some physical therapy with the baby, and talk with mom about resources, providing her with some cheaper apartment options in her community since money has been tight.

8:45 Leave the visit, realizing it's now raining. Luckily, along with my bag full of toys (did I mention this is also a gigantic bag) and "walking office" I am toting an umbrella, hair catastrophe successfully avoided. However not so successfully avoided is the pile of dog poo I failed to notice...now smeared all over my car as I hurried to get in to save my mane. Goes to show you what vanity will do.

9:00-3:30 I continue with my visits in my poo smelling car, toting my bag of toys, "walking office", umbrella, and poop residue from home to home, gathering new smells along the way. I snag lunch in my car driving between visits, which is usually melted and gooey by the time I get to it. But all of it is worth it when I walk in and see the smiling face of the little toot I have come to see, always showering me with hugs, snot, sneezes, and love as I work to help improve their lives! I may come home in desperate need of a shower and a shoulder rub, but hearing a child finally say "more please" after months of speech therapy, seeing a child take their first steps after surgery, or helping a family put food on the table is more gratifying than I can say!