The Evolution of the Time Doctor

Since the age of eight, all of my scholastic and professional efforts have been focused on my career as a veterinarian. In January 2007, I had been a successful practicing vet for 5 years and was returning to the workforce after a spectacular year of maternity leave. I soon found myself dropping our son off at daycare in the city, all the while fighting back the negative emotions of not wanting to return to the career I had dedicated my life to. I needed to be with my son.

It was a rude awakening to realize that the last 2 decades of dedication were, at the time, no longer my focus. My son was my priority and the struggle to balance my love for my career and my love for him was starting to become unbearable. There were days when I didn’t even want to be a vet any longer, and if I was to keep my career, and my family together, I had to make a change and make it fast. I was miserable – so much so, I decided in true type-A fashion, to turn my life upside down. So I sat down with my spectacularly supportive husband and made a plan.

The plan was in place a very short period of time before a light bulb went off in my head. I realized that the fleeting feeling of wanting to put my career on hold was not a conscious decision on my part. It was “in” me. It was what I now call the “momma bear” response; putting your children and family first, at all costs, regardless of personal sacrifice. In fact the real light bulb was this – there is a fine but attainable balance between “momma bear” and maintaining a stimulating and rewarding career at the same time. Its actually very easy to balance the two, you just need to learn how. I love being a veterinarian and I’m in love with being a mom. I’ve got the balance that I’ve been searching for and I couldn’t be happier.