Being A Mom AND A Doctor AND A Business Owner

I hadn’t realized that almost 2 months have passed since writing the last blog post.  As you can imagine, things have been very busy around here.  Having an hour free without interruption has been close to impossible, so any time I can get alone, is short and usually leads to sleep.

I have been fighting with the new roles I am taking on: doctor, mother, boss, landlord, business owner, and more.  The good news, is that we are busy at the clinic, but this makes for an unhappy 5 year old.  I am taking unfinished work home with me and making business calls.  Although it is funny looking back, it is hard to be professional with a 5 year old in the background.  I was on the phone with the bank and Charlie screams “Mom, I have to poop!”  As the banker giggles on the other line, I told him that a #2 always takes #1.  So, I politely told the banker I would have to call him back.  Luckily I was dealing with someone that had children and understood, but there are some that are not amused by the antics of a small kid.

I don’t find it difficult to take on the new business tasks, but I am finding it harder to be a mom.  Today Charlie put fake handcuffs on me since I was on the computer too long and not paying attention to him.  Do I put a iPad in front of him so he can become a zombie for 2 hours so I can get work done??  I am trying to teach him to entertain himself while I am busy, but I have run into some disasters when I take my eyes off him for a few minutes.    

My role as a wife/mother has not changed, and at times, has become more time consuming.  There has to be some sort of balance so that my family and my patients get all the time they need with me.  But, after 6 months of not having a day off, I now realize that I need some “me” time as well.  So the current issue is making sure there is enough time in the day to get it all done.  I have slowly accepted that I can’t control everything.  All I can hope for, is that I find my place in this current situation that leads to everyone being happy, including myself.  :)

 Dr. Leah Wulforst

Riverside Veterinary Clinic, Knoxville, TN