So why do I think I have some “Confessions” to make? Let’s see…because my life has thus far turned out wonderfully different than I thought it would. First of all, if you asked me 6 years ago what I would be doing now…staying at home with my children would not have been my answer. I probably would have said, “working my bootie off as a pediatrician trying to pay off those darn student loans (but still loving it)”. Fast forward to 2005, the year my darling son was born..and as all you Moms know, your life changes. Well, I had every intention of returning to my career as a Pediatrician. My employer graciously granted me 6 months to get back into Dr. mode…as the days drew near and as I scoped out every possible day care situation…in the end I just couldn’t do it. Call it paranoia, the control freak inside me, or just plain old “I can’t let this beautiful little creature out of my sight for one second” .
Don’t get me wrong, I could have used a break just like all new moms but my instinct was strong and I didn’t want to ignore it. That being said, it took awhile to break this news to my husband, my employer, and mainly to myself. I kept telling my self that I just wasn’t ready yet, maybe in a couple more months…okay maybe just two more months then I will be ready. Well 5 years later here we are…a beautiful new addition, our 2 year old daughter and I have finally accepted that this is what I do…I am a stay at home Mom and proud to be. It took me a couple of years of ” yeah I’ll go back next month” to finally come to this realization. Now I have embraced it fully and am so thankful that I have the support of my husband because I know what a gift I have been given to be here with them. Not to say I don’t have my occasional doubt/guilt about not working and putting to good use all those years of studying and training but I figure it will be there when we’re ready.
For now I’m (mostly) enjoying the craziness that is life with two little ones at home. This blog is about the things I thought would never happen to me because I’m a pediatrician and I should know better, right? It’s also about all the “rules” I have cast aside because they simply did not work for us and any other “confessions” that present themselves along the way. I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading!
I can fully relate to the stay at home mom thing. What you are doing is a selfless act of love for your kids. You're love is so great that you would rather take the time to enjoy them now while they are little. I get it! Some people don't. I hate when I hear new moms say I cant wait to get back to work and then easily drop their kids off at the daycare without looking back. Now I know some people have no choice, or do they? I believe we make that choice sure we had to cut back..way back on material things but nothing is going to replace the time a mother gets to spend with her kids. Those are memories you will share with your children. You know what makes me feel good and feels like a gift is when the girls say, “I REMEMBER WHEN….!” and knowing those memories are me pushing them on that swing, me putting a band aid on that booboo, me hearing them say their first words or taking their first steps. This is something no job promotion I don't care how big… can replace. These are lifetime memories and YOU are the star in your children's memories.
Awww…Mari, I couldn't have said it any better. I think you are right, some Moms simply don't have the choice. I am just so lucky that I do. Thanks for sharing. I hope my kids remember all the good times, and the not the ones when I'm grumpy and low on patience
You're an amazing Mom and Sister and I miss you.
I completely agree… nothing can replace the time a mother gets to spend with her kids! I applaud you for realizing that your children and your family are more important to you right now than an extra income. If you are willing to sacrifice some luxuries in life, and if your family can afford to have Mom stay home, there will be no greater reward! Like you, I was also incredibly career driven before kids… I even went back to work for 2 years after I had my first child. But with working 12 hour shifts, I was being stretched too thin, and couldn't give my family what they really needed – my time. So, I let go of my “must have my own career” ideals, and just let life happen. It was the hardest decision I made, because I worked so hard for my career, but it was absolutely the right one. With Mommy home, my kids are happy, healthy, well-adjusted, my house is in order, my husband is happy, and I love it! My family, as a whole, is happier and functions 100% better with me home. How can anyone top that? Time is the most precious gift we can give to someone, because you can never get it back. I'm so glad there are other Mom's out there who realize that!
Thank You Veronica…so true and yet it still has to be one of the hardest jobs ever. Harder for me than actually seeing patients but the rewards are totally worth it. Work (outside the home) will always be waiting for us when our family is ready
Your children are lucky! 
Truthfully, I was the happiest when I was home with my girls. Watching you grow, enjoying outings to the park, Tide Pools, the library, reading books, listening & singing to music & as you up enjoying your company and that of your friends as you played in the pool with Ginger barking & jumping in after you. Remember the outing to Devore with Karen & Jonathan when the brakes gave out on the Blue Chevy Malibu Wagon & we all screamed as we crossed the railroad tracks & finally came to a stop? Having to go back to work put a lot of stressors in our lives & my health. Just so you know, it was never my 1st choice.
I am so happy to see that you & Mari are blest so & were able to choose with your hearts for you family.
Love you
Mom
Truthfully, I was the happiest when I was home with my girls. Watching you grow, enjoying outings to the park, Tide Pools, the library, reading books, listening & singing to music & as you up enjoying your company and that of your friends as you played in the pool with Ginger barking & jumping in after you. Remember the outing to Devore with Karen & Jonathan when the brakes gave out on the Blue Chevy Malibu Wagon & we all screamed as we crossed the railroad tracks & finally came to a stop? Having to go back to work put a lot of stressors in our lives & my health. Just so you know, it was never my 1st choice.
I am so happy to see that you & Mari are blest so & were able to choose with your hearts for you family.
Love you
Mom
Oh yes I remember the trip to Devore and our brakes going out, who could forget. Going to the library was one of my favorite things as a child! I hope you don't feel one second of any guilt for doing what you had to do for our family…you kept us fed, clothed, happy and healthy even at the expense of your own health. I love you.
I found you on SITS. I must say that I love your blog! It is so beautiful, and you seem to have some good insight. I'm going to be sure to follow you.
I found you on SITS. I must say that I love your blog! It is so beautiful, and you seem to have some good insight. I'm going to be sure to follow you.
I am in the same boat, in terms of being a pediatrician turned semi-SAHM and blogger! I still work part-time on weekends because I can't bring myself to fully give up the career I worked so hard for. But I LOVE being home with the kids during the week, even though I wish I had a job to run away to sometimes! I also feel like because I am a pediatrician and know a lot about kids, who better to stay home than me? No one else is as qualified or loves them more, in my mind. It's a no-brainer.
By the way, I thought I was the only one of my kind out there. Most of my med-school friends and colleagues think I'm crazy for opting out of the rat-race after everything I've sacrificed to become a doctor. But I'm happier now.
I am in the same boat, in terms of being a pediatrician turned semi-SAHM and blogger! I still work part-time on weekends because I can't bring myself to fully give up the career I worked so hard for. But I LOVE being home with the kids during the week, even though I wish I had a job to run away to sometimes! I also feel like because I am a pediatrician and know a lot about kids, who better to stay home than me? No one else is as qualified or loves them more, in my mind. It's a no-brainer.
By the way, I thought I was the only one of my kind out there. Most of my med-school friends and colleagues think I'm crazy for opting out of the rat-race after everything I've sacrificed to become a doctor. But I'm happier now.
Love this! Good for you! I have too many doctor and lawyer friends who wish they could stay at home with their babies but just can't bring themselves to put their careers on hold. (Or else simply can't afford it between a mortgage and student loans.) It breaks my heart seeing them struggle so much with that decision. Congrats on choosing to cherish these years and kudos to your husband for supporting you!
Love this! Good for you! I have too many doctor and lawyer friends who wish they could stay at home with their babies but just can't bring themselves to put their careers on hold. (Or else simply can't afford it between a mortgage and student loans.) It breaks my heart seeing them struggle so much with that decision. Congrats on choosing to cherish these years and kudos to your husband for supporting you!
Hello,
I just found your blog through you finding me on BlogFrog. I am looking forward to reading more!
Find your blog so interesting. I just graduated from law school and it's quite a struggle thinking “I just spent SO much time and energy and money on this career.” I don't want to waste it? (don't mean to sound offensive…it's just sometimes that's the way I feel)
But, when I look at my pretty little newborn girl, I can't help but wonder what I want to do with my life.
I'm really in a state of flux with it all: work full time, work part time, find a job completely unrelated to law firms so that I can be home more? We'll see what I do…but thank you for your blog. It really has made me think about this…
Find your blog so interesting. I just graduated from law school and it's quite a struggle thinking “I just spent SO much time and energy and money on this career.” I don't want to waste it? (don't mean to sound offensive…it's just sometimes that's the way I feel)
But, when I look at my pretty little newborn girl, I can't help but wonder what I want to do with my life.
I'm really in a state of flux with it all: work full time, work part time, find a job completely unrelated to law firms so that I can be home more? We'll see what I do…but thank you for your blog. It really has made me think about this…
I love it! Motherhood brings unexpected everything! No matter who are or what you did, this job comes first now.
I'm a new follower!
I love it! Motherhood brings unexpected everything! No matter who are or what you did, this job comes first now.
I'm a new follower!
What an honest, beautiful explanation of how you came to be a stay at home mom. You are a very smart woman
I'm so excited I found your blog from SITS. Following! And off to check out your post on vaccines…
What an honest, beautiful explanation of how you came to be a stay at home mom. You are a very smart woman
I'm so excited I found your blog from SITS. Following! And off to check out your post on vaccines…
Just found your blog. Can't wait to dig in!
I recently took a “break” from working as an MD at an urgent care simply b/c I was so burnt out. And during my time off I got pregnant with my first child. Now I am so hesitant to leave my child (due in December) at a daycare. I struggle with the guilt of not working all the time and feeling as though I am wasting my education. Not everyone around me understands why I would give up such a lucrative job in the first place. I'm so glad that I found your blog and there are other people like me out there. Thanks!!
I recently took a “break” from working as an MD at an urgent care simply b/c I was so burnt out. And during my time off I got pregnant with my first child. Now I am so hesitant to leave my child (due in December) at a daycare. I struggle with the guilt of not working all the time and feeling as though I am wasting my education. Not everyone around me understands why I would give up such a lucrative job in the first place. I'm so glad that I found your blog and there are other people like me out there. Thanks!!
thank you for your encouragement on my cosleeping post but most of all, YAY that i found this site! rarely do i come across a mommy blog that is, how should i say it, so educated so i am really looking forward to seeing your take on a lot of the daily ins and outs of mommy life.
thank you for your encouragement on my cosleeping post but most of all, YAY that i found this site! rarely do i come across a mommy blog that is, how should i say it, so educated so i am really looking forward to seeing your take on a lot of the daily ins and outs of mommy life.