New Jobs Change Everything

By Monica Villarreal

Around the age of nine, Rialto High School sophomore Kayla Elias experienced a turning point in her life as she felt distanced from her parents after they got hired for new jobs at a friend’s business, in addition to their previous ones. Because her parents each had two jobs now, there were differences to be seen by Elias and her siblings.

Elias’s parents always used to be around when they had only one job each. Her mom worked at Jack in the Box, and her dad worked in recycling. They weren’t necessarily involved in every aspect of their kids' lives, but were there for them. 

She used to enjoy moments with her parents before their new jobs, when they would stay up late to watch whatever they could find on Netflix together. After starting their new jobs, there were significant adjustments to be made. Elias had to get used to the fact that her parents weren’t around often.

Her parents also attended to other things around the house when they weren’t working. Elias stated, “I noticed they were always busy and never made time for their kids after.”

The main effect of her parents' new jobs is the distance it created between her and them. She couldn’t bond with her parents because she hardly saw them. Elias explained, “As I grew more and more, I also grew further and further apart from them.”

Elias also had other difficulties because her parents worked so much. Due to their work schedules, they couldn’t pick her and her siblings up from school, so they walked home most days. She still relies on rides from friends and her girlfriend in case her parents don’t have time. 

On the positive side, Elias believes this whole experience helped define who she is today. 

She found her passion for music by learning to play different instruments, such as the guitar, bass, piano, and drums. She is in the bands “Braindead,” “All Is Lost,” and the Rialto High School band. 

Elias also became independent, as she had to care for herself so often. “Since my parents worked so much, I didn’t really have time to worry about other stuff, so I taught myself how to cook, clean, and take care of others at a young age,” she says. 

Elias loves her parents, and they mean the world to her, but she feels this significant change—her parents getting new jobs—has dramatically impacted her life and her relationship with them. She understands her parents love her and do everything they can to provide for the family and put a roof over their heads. She doesn’t take her parents' sacrifices for the family for granted, but merely shares her experience.

Elias says, “They used to be around a lot, and I think it was what I needed.”

Today, Elias hardly sees her parents, and they continue to work endlessly, leaving no time for their kids. "This still affects my relationship with them because they continue working there, and I still rarely see them." She is used to this lifestyle, but can't help but miss moments spent with her parents.