Blog - Page 21 of 183 - Moments of Musing

A Career Decision Three Years in the Making

Filed Under: motherhood, working mom, working motherhood // October 7, 2019

Me in my empty office during one of my last weeks at the office full-time.

Life bring so much change. Fall brings so much change. Motherhood brings so much change.

Three years ago last week, I returned to work from my first maternity leave. It was so hard leaving my baby boy but I was comforted by the fact that he was home with his daddy, my husband for the next five and a half months. That made nine months with a parent at home.

So, when it came time to go back to work after my second maternity leave, I felt less sad about returning to work (I knew my fears about being forgotten or not loved wouldn’t happen) but I did feel a pang of guilt that this little guy wouldn’t have a parent home with him for as long as his big brother did. I had been home with him just four months. Thankfully, he and his big brother would be staying with my mom, so I did not feel too bad.

My feelings about wanting to step away from a linear career path came up after I had my firstborn. When I calculated the time during the week I would spend away from him (55 hours/week) versus the time with him (10-15 hours/week). It broke my heart. It did not seem fair. It did not seem right. I had irrational thoughts of just quitting but with my pay being our sole source of income, I obviously could not do that. I had a baby now and I had to be as responsible as ever. Quitting would have been irresponsible.

I knew I had to step away somehow from my career after that first leave parting from my firstborn.

I spent time pondering and thinking what I could do but eventually I got into the swing of things at work. Then, my cousin got sick and it put things into perspective for me. Hours away from my kid(s) was not the worst thing in the world. There were worse things… But then, as I saw her slipping away, I kept thinking about time.

Time: we can’t get it back. We can’t buy more of it. Time just passes, and I’ve always wanted to make the most of my time, especially now as a mom.

However, it wasn’t until returning from my second maternity leave parting from both of my babies that I decided it could actually be done. An opportunity presented itself that I could not stop thinking about. I had to do it. I had to take a risk and step aside from my linear career path.

Deep down, I knew it would be okay. I do not have to be a lawyer just because I went to law school. I do not have to do anything I did not want. I can do whatever I want as long as I have a plan and I am being responsible. Besides, my law degree and law licenses will still be there. My time home with my kids will not always be a possibility. They’ll be heading to full-time school soon enough.

I’m happy and proud to say three years later, I’ve done it. My plan has come to fruition. I have a management position that I can work remotely to maximize time with my babies. While I am not in an attorney position, this feels like the best case scenario for what my heart desired. This was years in the making, and each of my babies helped me grow in this direction. I’m forever grateful to be their mama and embracing the adventure that it is.

I never know what tomorrow will bring but I know I am enjoying this adventure.

I took my kids to work with me in April.

Day 1 of a New Chapter

Filed Under: motherhood, working mom, working motherhood // October 1, 2019

Today is Day 1 of a new chapter. Yesterday was my last day officially employed as a lawyer. I spent so many years (decades), cried so many tears, worked hard and was so proud to become an attorney, and had career dreams come true so I don’t think younger me ever really saw this day coming. But then I became a mom and, well, everything changed.

Motherhood has transformed me, my hopes and my plans.

I’ll still be working (remotely), and I still have big dreams but they just look a little different.

Am I nervous? A little. Sad? A tad. Excited? Heck yes! Change can be good and I’m leaning into that belief.

Though initially apprehensive to move on from an attorney title, I am confident in my decision. I know employment titles are just that- titles. I will still work hard and I will still be valued. And this new chapter will enable me to be more present in the role of my most important title- Mommy.

Thanks to all who’ve supported my career and motherhood journeys, especially my husband and parents! THANK YOU ALL because my blog + social media presence is what lead me to my new position. And biggest thanks to my two babies who are my biggest motivation + dreams come true of all.

To those of you struggling with motherhood + career, trust yourself and your decisions. You know what’s best.

Chalk it Up to Luck … or Hard Work?

Filed Under: career, family, hard work, inspiration, luck, motivation, positivity, work, work hard // September 30, 2019

Sometimes when speaking with my husband about our life, I call ourselves lucky. But then I remember how much hard work we’ve put in to get here.

I think about hyperventilating and feeling overly anxious when I had to go back to work after my first maternity leave.

I think about crying in the shower thinking up plans to be able to live a life more closely aligned with my vision of motherhood.

I think about my plans, my hopes, my dreams.

I think about what I did each step of the way to lead to me to the next step.

I think about how much studying, hard work and perseverance I put in and practiced to get to where I am today.

I think about my husband’s difficult transition into civilian life. (Side note: The military does not help as much as they should but that’s a post for another day.)

I think about his decision to get a college degree to better our future.

I think about his decision to get his MBA to advance his career.

And then I think about his life story and how hard he has worked to get to where he is today.

So though I do think sometimes luck plays a part in life, I don’t think we would have gotten anywhere near where we are without putting in effort.

While I don’t know where exactly our journeys will take us, I am trusting our decisions and growing more and more excited (while still a little nervous) for us. We have worked hard to become the people, couple and parents we are. And we won’t stop working to become better.

Navigating & Negotiating Working Motherhood with Riva

Filed Under: motherhood, working mom, working motherhood // September 25, 2019

Having a career (and trying to advance in it) while being a mom is one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced yet … and I’ve sat for multiple bar exams.

That is why I am so proud and excited to announce that I have partnered with Riva to co-publish “A Guide to Navigating and Negotiating Working Motherhood,” part one of a free and comprehensive three-part guide to help you navigate motherhood while being a working professional. Riva is an employee-first career advocacy platform. It uses technology and world-class negotiations expertise to help professionals achieve their best job offers and advance in their careers.

I don’t have it all figured out but I do know having knowledge and support helps tremendously. Having that has empowered me every step of my career while pregnant both times. I did not have a guide to make it seamless, though.

Thankfully, there are now resources such as Riva to help guide you to earn what you deserve, whether it be your salary and/or negotiating parental leave.

Be sure to check out the guide and share it with anyone who would find it useful!

Beneficial Screen Time with Reading Eggs

Filed Under: motherhood, Parenting, reading, reading eggs // September 24, 2019

This post is sponsored by Reading Eggs but all opinions are my own.

reading, reading eggs, kids reading, children

At a recent conference, I was reminded that technology use among kids is not the worst thing. When S was a baby, I thought it was. The AAP was telling me, anyway. Since then, they have loosened the recommendation for screen time with kids.

I have found that learning shows and apps are the best screen time S can get. It engages him, stimulates his brain, and he learns while giving me some time to get things done… or simply relax for a bit.

An app he has recently started using is Reading Eggs. Reading Eggs is a popular multi-award winning reading program for children aged 2-13 that helps them learn to read. This program is the perfect tool to help get kids back into learning this school year.

S loves the app – he plays the activities and loves getting things right. The app even tells him he’s done an “amazing” job. He turned to me once after it had said that, and said “Mom, I did amazing!” What a confidence booster!

With over 10 million users worldwide, Reading Eggs understands that learning to read is one of the most important skills children can learn so it has developed a program to make learning fun, interactive and highly rewarding for children, all based on scientific research. Over 91% of parents using Reading Eggs report a noticeable improvement in their child’s reading skills.

Reading Eggs recently announced the launch of its Android app, which can be used with select devices. The new Android app includes full access to the Reading Eggspress Library, a huge collection of printable worksheets, and full reporting features in the family dashboard. It’s the perfect way to give your child positive screen time that’s safe, educational, and tons of fun, and lets little ones enjoy learning on the go and at home.

Reading Eggs is one screen you won’t mind your kids looking at. Sign up for a membership today!