When we started our family, I decided to leave the hospital for a less time-consuming job because I did not want my children growing up without me by their side, but on call in the hospital. It was a very tough decision for me because I was doing well in the hospital and I enjoyed what I was doing. But, for the sake of our kids, one of us had to sacrifice our career to give the children the attention and time they needed. Being the mother, naturally, it made more sense for me to do it.
I do miss my profession, but I never had regrets about my decision. Leaving the hospital does not mean I stopped learning. I even started learning new things. I did not want to stagnate. I wanted to remain sharp. So, I made sure to attend courses every year.
After my husband finished his further studies, I decided to take up a Master degree course. We discussed it and weighed the odds. I was pregnant with baby A during that time. Since my course was self-funded, we decided to start it sooner rather than later. At least when baby A starts pre-school, I would be finished with my three-year course.
I applied and got into a distinguished university in the UK. I started my course when baby A was a month old and baby J was turning 3 years old. The journey has not been easy for me. There were many times I chastised and asked myself why I even considered doing it. Besides maintaining a full-time job which involved travelling across the region, I was also a hands-on mom, and an entrepreneur. I barely had time to read through my lessons, much less submit all the papers that were due, and attend the lectures happening in the wee hours of the morning. There were times I really wanted to quit. There were also many times I was arguing with my husband already because of too many things on my plate. The children do not understand deadlines and failing marks. All they understood was, when Mommy is home, they had to get 100% attention. I tried to give them that. I also made sure I passed all my courses, and gave my best at work. Which left me with five hours of sleep a night, or less.
But, we made it! I am due to submit the final paper of my second year of studies tomorrow. The next year will be devoted to my dissertation. My learning journey is not finished. But, I feel good about myself. I have done something for myself without sacrificing my kids.
Now, off to my next lesson... drums!
I do miss my profession, but I never had regrets about my decision. Leaving the hospital does not mean I stopped learning. I even started learning new things. I did not want to stagnate. I wanted to remain sharp. So, I made sure to attend courses every year.
After my husband finished his further studies, I decided to take up a Master degree course. We discussed it and weighed the odds. I was pregnant with baby A during that time. Since my course was self-funded, we decided to start it sooner rather than later. At least when baby A starts pre-school, I would be finished with my three-year course.
I applied and got into a distinguished university in the UK. I started my course when baby A was a month old and baby J was turning 3 years old. The journey has not been easy for me. There were many times I chastised and asked myself why I even considered doing it. Besides maintaining a full-time job which involved travelling across the region, I was also a hands-on mom, and an entrepreneur. I barely had time to read through my lessons, much less submit all the papers that were due, and attend the lectures happening in the wee hours of the morning. There were times I really wanted to quit. There were also many times I was arguing with my husband already because of too many things on my plate. The children do not understand deadlines and failing marks. All they understood was, when Mommy is home, they had to get 100% attention. I tried to give them that. I also made sure I passed all my courses, and gave my best at work. Which left me with five hours of sleep a night, or less.
But, we made it! I am due to submit the final paper of my second year of studies tomorrow. The next year will be devoted to my dissertation. My learning journey is not finished. But, I feel good about myself. I have done something for myself without sacrificing my kids.
Now, off to my next lesson... drums!
