
This post is a reflection of how working outside of the home has made me a better mom but that is what works best for me and my family. Everyone’s journey is their own so know that whether you choose to work at home, outside of the home or not at all you are doing awesome. Thank you to Jaanuu for providing me and my family with these awesome scrubs.
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Having your first child makes you question all of your previous decisions. After the first few days of being a first-time mom, I had intense anxiety thinking about returning to work. Being away from the little person that I just have given birth to was terrifying. You start believing that no one can love them as much as you do. This may be true, but understanding that although a mother gives birth to a child, a child is mothered by the world. Have you heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”? We continue to pour all that we are, all that we can into our children. But what do we have left to pour if we leave ourselves empty? Part of what gives me the strength to ‘Mom so hard’ is setting aside mommy guilt and working outside of the home in a field I love.
Working Moms Lead By Example
Finding balance as a working mom is a challenge but it’s possible. My mom is living proof of this. My sister Stacy and I take after our mother in having found fulfilling careers in medicine. My sister most recently became a Registered Nurse and is on the road to becoming a Nurse Practitioner (speaking it into existence!) We know we are capable of so much because our mother was our 1st example. Both of our parents worked hard to put themselves through school in a foreign country, raise 5 children on their own and send us off, prepared to provide for ourselves. I watched my mom successfully balance work, school, and home with little ones which molded my outlook on my place in the home. I want to show my children that a woman’s position in the home is anywhere she wants it to be.
Check Out: Why I Became A Physician Assistant
I’m More Patient When Working Outside Of Home
Whether it was maternity leave with my first or my second, I noticed that when I went back to work I had more patience to give to my family. I’m no longer struggling to be everything to everyone while trying to keep myself together. I openly and honestly appreciate sharing childcare not only with my husband but someone outside of us that loves our children almost as much as we do!
We no longer take each other for granted. I love my children with all that I am. But just like any relationship, the distance can make the heart grow fonder, for Mama and baby. 32 hours a week are dedicated to my patients, 10-15 hours dedicated to my blog, the remaining hours are mostly shared with my little ones. Hugging, kissing and making up for missed time. It’s those excited runs to hug my legs that are some of the best moments of my day. When they both pile on top of me to snuggle in because they missed their Mama. I’m getting excited just thinking about it! For us, it wasn’t the same when I stayed at home all day. I guess my novelty wore off.
Check Out:How To Choose A Physician Assistant School
Feeling Fulfilled & Challenged
Being a mother will always be the most important work that I do. But I also love being a Physician Assistant. As long as I am able to do both why wouldn’t I live my dreams? I worked HARD to get into and through PA school, saving lives is what I was created to do. I am able to provide for my family with a job that challenges me. The job security and flexibility isn’t too shabby either.That’s why I can see myself working in some capacity of medicine for years to come. One thing that motivates me as a working mom in my field is the awesome facebook community of Physician Assistant Moms. We’ve had some pretty interesting discussions, like how difficult it can be to get back into practice after being a stay at home mom for a few years.
For now, I can’t see myself as a stay at home mom and I am more than okay with that. My ideal situation would be to work part-time outside of the home, with your support of reading and sharing my blog, it may become reality. Our family unit is perfect for us and that’s all that matters.
Do you like working outside of the home? Or would you rather stay at home full time?
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Such a wonderful read Amy!! Definitely put some things in perspective for me as a hopeful mom to be and career woman in the medical field!! ❤️❤️
P.S. – Y’all look immaculate! Definitely fan girling over here!!!
Aww Carolyn! You are simply the sweetest! Thank you babe!
You ladies are so beautiful! Thank you for writing this, my first child is due in July and I am having horrible anxiety about leaving him to return to work. I’m also a RN (it’s funny you mentioned your sister because I’m taking a break from working on my NP to focus on being a mom and work). I’m trying to work through my anxiety, I have so many fears, and tell my husband probably once a week that I ain’t scared of jail to protect our son! Lol again, I thank you for this perspective, it actually helped me a lot with the guilt I experience as well.
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Your more than welcome Tierra! I felt like it needed to be said because we all love our children and feel the mommy guilt about being away but as long as Mommy is ok they will be ok. They will always know who Mommy is!
I feel the same way as you. With my first child, I tried being a stay at home mom but I felt it was taking all of my sanity. Also, what you said about distance making the heart grow fonder for mama and baby rang sooo true for me as well. After having my second baby, I really felt that I needed to do something for myself and fulfill my dreams, so after 10 years of being out of school, I went back to school to earn my bachelor’s in Biology and apply to PA school. I will soon start my second year of undergraduate studies!
I love it!! Keep it up my people ❤️❤️
I love this post!! I totally relate to it! I’m a career mom and I love what I do. Thank you for creating such a great post!