I’ve been a Registered Dietitian for over 12 years. Before kids I worked full time as an adolescent eating disorder dietitian in an psychiatric hospital in the Bay Area. I had several other jobs in the eating disorder field along with that title before breaking off and starting my own private practice where I was able to work with a variety of clients and nutritional concerns.
When Quinn was 4 months old we moved to Seattle and I had to close my private practice, which was hard. It takes a lot of work to build up a thriving private practice and establish a reputation among health professionals in the area to get referrals. When we moved to Seattle, I started a job working at a college health center one day a week and really enjoyed that. Since having Kinsley, I stepped down from that position and have taken time off to just be with the girls.
When Kinsley turned one in June I started to get that itch to work again. While I continue to keep up my RDN credentials, I’m somewhat burnt out of the nutrition field. I’ve been thinking of what other jobs out there I would enjoy and still be able to use my nutrition background. Physical education has always spoken to me. I got so lucky with how this job came to be and can’t wait to teach K-8th graders PE and health this school year.
I feel so lucky to be able to work 2 days a week so I can be home with the girls the other weekdays. Truthfully, I’m pretty nervous and anxious to start this new position. I’ve never taught in a school setting before and truly have no clue what I’m doing. Like anything else, it will be an adjustment and take some time for me to get into a groove.
The past month I have been sleeping so poorly and waking with anxiety over childcare while I’m working. Trying to find coverage while I’m working was stressful and no easy task. I worry about things like Quinn getting off to school those mornings without me and making sure she has everything she needs. I like to micromanage 😉 While it may seem silly, these are the things I know other moms out there stress and worry about that I really don’t think ever cross a dad’s mind.
My husband couldn’t understand why I was so stressed about these small details. How will things run without me? He just says it will be fine- not a big deal. Typical response, but the mom’s out there know how this burden so often falls on our shoulders.
I was texting with a friend last week who has a new baby and she and her husband are both back to work full time. Her baby is in daycare and she has to commute some days on top of that. I asked her how the heck she does it all?! How do you work full time, commute, make sure the baby is well taken care of, meal plan, cook dinner, workout, clean the house, laundry, etc. She’s like ummmm I DON’T and let me know if you figure it out!!! I feel so lucky only working two days a week because I felt spread so thin last week when I was gone 2 full days at training. I didn’t have time to workout or the energy to make dinner when I got home. I feel for moms who work full time with the expectation to also do everything else I mentioned above.
But on the flip side, it was a nice break to be with adults and feel like a professional. Quinn was being a little VERY whiny one morning and I was like the babysitter will be here soon- byeeee!!! It was a nice break to not be the snack b*tch and cleaning up after everyone all day.
All this to say, being a mom is just straight hard! The great debate over which side is harder: SAHM vs. working mom. It’s all hard. It’s not a competition. Whether working full time, part time, or SAHM it’s A LOT! As moms we take on SO much and it can feel like TOO much sometimes. I’m so lucky we have built such a supportive community here and it feels like you all get that and we are in it together no matter what title you have 😉
Here are some things I plan to do to be organized during the week:
- Make Quinn’s lunch the night before and pack her school bag before I head out the door in the morning (everyone will still be asleep).
- Keep meals simple. I wrote a post on it here and plan to take my own advice.
- Make my work lunch, snacks, beverages the night before.
- Have everyone’s outfits planned out the night before, so everyone can easily get dressed.
- Set the goal to get my steps on workdays. Luckily my job is active, but I’m not waking up at 4am to workout before I leave.
- LET GO. Some things may not get done the way I want and that’s OK. In the words of Cody Rigsby, “It’s not that deep boo” 😉
So, while I’m feeling anxious about what this transition to part-time working will look like I’m giving myself grace that I won’t be able to do it all. The house might not be as clean as I prefer, Quinn might forget her water bottle for school one day, we may eat cereal for dinner, laundry might not get folded right away, or I might miss a workout. It’s fine!!! I’m trying to relax and let go of the fact that it will be hectic at times and everything will not get done, but that’s ok.
Cheers mamas,
xx, A
