Vocation vs. Career vs. Motherhood

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about career, motherhood, and work-life balance (if there is such a thing).  I've sort of followed the national debates, but am not really inspired by the idea of "leaning in" or sacrificing the time I have with my son at any of his life stages in order to grow my career.  I want to continue working, but I also want to have that stay-at-home mom experience.  Basically, I want it both ways.  Maybe everyone does. 

Working when I have a baby at home isn't easy.  And I don't think it's ever going to be completely comfortable for me.  But, when I started to think of my career as my vocation, my uncertainty about working became more clear. 

A vocation is connected to your larger sense of self; your life's work; your purpose.  I realized - I'm not interested in working and being away from my family unless my work is connected to a larger purpose. 

The work I'm doing now is, I feel, connected to something of a larger purpose and mission.  I'm proud of that.  So for now, I've decided it feels right. 

It's a balancing act every day.  But, my son is happy and secure, we can still get dinner on the table (most nights), and have a bit of fun in between our work. 

"You don't step out of the stream of your life to do your work.  Work [is] the life, and who you [are] as a mother, teacher, friend, citizen, activist, and artist [is] all the same person." - Ann Patchett in This is the Story of a Happy Marriage.