To the mom heading back to school:
Wow, did you ever think this day would come? After years and years of raising babies and making a house a home you are finally here.
You have sacrificed and made the best choices for your family while placing some of your dreams on hold and that is truly selfless. Before those tiny humans came along, you had goals and ambitions in mind for yourself and where life would take you. But life would not be what it is without taking the road less traveled, without the winding paths and gravel roads. Life made you a mother and God had different plans in mind.
Goals
You became a homemaker, you became a caregiver, their first teacher, a health provider and activity planner…you became a different version of yourself. Someone who slowly learned to be more patient and caring. Someone who loves unconditionally without expectations. Someone who was challenged through the many phases of childhood and is still learning so much. You became someone’s mother; you created life and nurtured it.
It has been a long time coming and now that your kids are a bit older it is time to once again focus on yourself. I know what your inner dialogue is telling you, I hear it too… mom guilt creates an echo like no other. But please know that thinking of your education or career goals is not selfish at all. It is possible to do both at the same time; to be a mother raising children day in and day out and also being a mother who is a student trying to better herself academically. It is possible to achieve your educational goals while being present within your household and loving your family every day.
Keep Pursuing
Will it be easy? Nothing worth having is. You will be tired and run on fumes at times but you will persevere. Pursuing your passion is exciting and I know this new road you are on will bring a lot of success your way. I am right there with you. I will be there taking notes and spending my nights reading textbooks on subjects I have not seen in a long time. I will be there with you, as we communicate with professors, scramble to get things ready for class, meet other students on campus and learn new things every day. I will be there with you as we patiently wait for grades to post and see our dreams come to fruition.
I will be cheering you on as you pursue this goal and many more to come. You may have taken a break but you are back on track now and that is what matters. There is no timeline to getting things done in your own life. Do things for you and yours, because in the end that is all that matters.
Cheering For You
My hope for you is that you have a wonderful school year ahead, I hope you learn and thrive through the semesters ahead. My wish for you is that your inner flame reignites to accomplish your aspirations and dreams. You have been patiently waiting for this moment and it is finally here!
Best of luck momma, you’ve got this!
VCMC Writer Daniella Horne