I wonder if other new moms go through this. I have been focused on just me and my career most of my adult life. And it's been fun. I traveled a bunch--all over the U.S., South America, Europe. I've had some interesting jobs--from working as a nurse on the Apache reservation in Arizona to marketing the U.S. Public Health Service in DC. And I have met some the coolest people on the planet. And now that I'm a mom, I'm having a hard time transitioning from a career-focused life to a family-focused life. I still want to go after that next cool job or take that month-long assignment on a ship to Southeast Asia. But that's not reasonable now. I have little Pumpkin who needs me home with her. And I want to be home with her. But another side of me wishes I still had my freedom. Is that horrible? I feel guilty that I feel that way.

And then today, I got my acceptance letter to the University of South Florida's online MPH program. Another thing to take up my time. But luckily I'll be able to do most of my work during the day from the office. (My boss is so supportive. Thank you!) So hopefully this won't interfere with "Pumpkin time." Actually, I'm going to make it a priority not to let it interfere. And this play that I'm working on now (RENT at The Weekend Theater) will be over on August
1. Then, no more plays for a while.

So today when I get home, Pumpkin and I are going to spend some quality time out in that new, unused hammock!

Submitted by srmcbryde (view blog)