Today’s National Doctors’ Day! One question I’ve been asked over and over again is if I were to choose all over again – would I still go into medicine? My answer – absolutely! I would still sacrifice the extra years of Med School, the long hours in the hospital during residency, and the time away from my family. Why? Not because I enjoyed giving all of those things up at the time. But because I truly, honestly, wholeheartedly love what I do. And that’s just one of the many reasons reason why I wouldn’t trade being a Pediatrician for anything else.
Sure, there’s the fighting with insurance companies, and not always being able to get my patients the treatments, tests, and medications they need. And even in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, I can still find a whole lot of good. Physicians, health care workers, and so many members of the medical staff putting their lives at risk on a daily basis in order to save even one life. We sacrifice ourselves, our time with our families just to keep another family happy and whole.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life
Confucious
(Check out my post, 8 Reasons It’s Important to Do What You Love for more on this.)
My top reasons why I wouldn’t trade being a Pediatrician for anything else…
1. I get to play with babies all day
My husband swears this is all I do everyday. But, he’s kinda right! The best part is that I get to hand them right back to their parents when I’m done! (I’ve got 5 already at home…believe me, I’m happy with just getting my baby “fix” in the office everyday).
And besides the babies, I just get to have fun with kids all day, and not have to worry about being “serious” all the time.
2. I get to watch kids grow
From infants, to toddlers, elementary-school aged kids, teens and young adults. Watching them development physically, mentally, and emotionally year after year never ceases to amaze me. It just never gets old.
3. I get to make a difference
I’m lucky enough to impact so many families on a daily basis. Helping to guide parents when they need it most and shaping their kids as I go. Whether it’s sitting and talking to an exhausted newborn mom for longer than usual, guiding a teenager who’s made a few bad decisions, or just helping a family through a tough medical diagnosis. I love to help families, in any way I can.
If you’re a busy woman looking for simple ways to nurture your relationships, grab my FREE Nourishment Planner. It includes 60 ways to nurture your marriage, your kids, and yourself.
4. It doesn’t feel like work
I work with an awesome group of women, who make my job a whole lot easier, and a whole lot of fun. Plus, “playing with babies all day” just never gets old.
5. I have a heart for kids
It hurts my heart to see a kid sad or in pain. I just want to do anything in my power to make it better. I’ll bend over backward for any kid – even the most rambunctious. But if an adult asks me for the same favor, I sometimes think twice about it….I’m just saying. I can deal with a crying, whining baby, but not when it comes from an adult (no offense, guys). Honestly, I’m just not an adult person. Kids are so much easier! And much more innocent!
6. Kids say (and do) the darndest things
This probably makes my time in the office the most interesting. I never know what I’ll hear or see when I go in an exam room. Sometimes the kids tell me way more about their parents or their home life than I needed to know! It’s hilarious!
7. It makes being a mom a little easier (but also harder at the same time)
I learned a ton of stuff in residency about normal child development, common pediatric illnesses, etc. So, I’m able to decipher whether something’s really wrong with my own kids. But, I’ve also seen a ton of scary things that can make me a little paranoid at times when it comes to my own kids! It’s a delicate balance, I guess.
At the end of the day, when I’m ready to retire, I’ll know that I’ve worked in a career that was fulfilling, with no regrets at all. It’s not an easy commitment, but it’s one that I would make over again if I had the choice.
If you’re a busy, working mom, check out my Resource Library for all of my awesome working mom resources.
Sending virtual hugs to all of my fellow physicians out there working their butts off today. It’s a very different “Doctors’ Day” than we’ve ever experienced before. But, when the dust settles, our country will hopefully be better because of the men and women who give so much of themselves on a daily basis.
Do you have any docs that stand out to you? What’s so special about them? Or do you have a job that you absolutely love? Let me know in the comments below!
Are you a busy working wife and mom looking for ways to nurture your relationships? Grab your FREE Nourishment Planner below! In it, you’ll get 60 ideas for nurturing yourself, your marriage, and your relationship with your kids. As a bonus, you’ll get my weekly newsletter filled with tips, inspiration and my personal stories and lessons learned. Along with access to my Resource Library with tons of helpful printables and checklists to help you on this journey. Just drop your e-mail below!
Want to save this post, Why I Wouldn’t Trade Being A Pediatrician For Anything Else, for later? Pin it below and share it with your family and friends!
