Making My Career Work for My Family
The decision to give up looking for work and day care seemed like the easiest decision of my life. I knew from day one I only wanted a part-time gig that would allow me to relieve some of the financial burden placed on my husband’s shoulders. I also knew it would be temporary, only long enough to allow me time to get pregnant again and collect maternity leave this time around. My husband and I both knew once the second baby comes along the chances of me working are slim to none. Unless of course I could find a job that would work for me (by furthering my career in something I love) and the family (by not requiring us to pay for childcare).
I tried to find it, this dream job, but then a wise friend said to me “why don’t you just make work for yourself?” At first I didn’t know what she meant. I had never thought about starting my own business but I got pretty excited about the possibility. At the end of that conversation I figured out that I could further my career and make it work for my family.
Here’s what I decided was important:
- To do something I am passionate about
- To do it during times when I would have family members available to provide childcare
- To do something that would allow me to transfer those skills (get a job when the time comes)
In order to make my career work for my family I’ve started a parenting support service called Prenatal to Parenting. I offer prenatal classes, doula services, and parent education and support services. I love pregnancy, birth and parenting. I have a Bachelor of Social Work and have been providing parent education and support services for the past year at a local organization so it feels like a natural step forward to develop new skills, to continue my previous work and to expand my scope. By starting my own business, I am able to pick and chose my hours, which works perfectly for my family.
Instead of this feeling like a temporary gig to get us through until the maternity leave kicks in, it feels like something I could do for a very long time. I’m excited. I’m passionate. I’m loving my training, building my website, talking to people about my services, and providing the services. I am also really enjoying spending time with my son Parker. I am not bringing in tons of money but that was never the point. I’m making enough to help (a bit) and am able to stay home with Parker while his dad’s at work. All in all it’s also one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
~Sarah
Labels: career, doula, parenting support, working mom, working parents
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