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01/25/2017
Dr. Laura:
I am the product of the women's lib movement. My parents encouraged me to pursue my education as high as possible. The end result was my delivering my first baby at the end of my medical residency. I was expected to pursue an intensive fellowship and continue research.
It wasn't until I was pregnant that the grave implications of my career path and decision to be a mother hit me. I wept, realizing that I had a few months to find another woman to raise my child. I felt trapped. My husband, also a doctor, had a similar epiphany. I turned down the fellowship that I had worked so hard for, to the dismay of my colleagues, who all thought a nanny was a great solution.
When I announced my decision to leave and be a stay-at-home mom, I came under heavy criticism about my wasted talent and education. My husband stood by my side. You encouraged me through your program. It's now sixteen years later, and we have two boys and a girl. I'm able to work on a contingent basis for local doctors, because even though my children are old enough to be left alone, they need me even more now, as does my husband.
Our marriage thrived after I stopped working too. I had time to be my husband's girlfriend, and there were no longer arguments over whose career was more important. I have not once looked back and thought about who I could have been. I look to the future with peace, knowing we gave our children our all and the roots to be successful.
Nadine
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