Ok, so I've aimlessly been walking around the past 19 years wondering what I want to be when I grow up. Basically all I ever wanted to be was a mom! I've achieved that and it's been wonderful...more rewarding than I ever expected! BUT, as much as I've truly enjoyed the past 3 years of being a SAHM, I'm getting bored to death sitting at home day in and day out. My life has resulted to endless days spent in p.j.'s and no make-up, doing laundry, running my vacuum daily and turning into a talk show junkie!! It's got to stop! Not only that, but Liam started kindergarten last year and is now ready to start 1st grade in one week, and it's very lonely!! VERY lonely!! So for weeks now I've been trying desperately to think of a reason to go back to school...to find that one thing that I will be passionate about!
...I've found it!
After lots of research on the internet, emails to various people getting information, and phone calls, I have found something that I believe will bring me years of joy and fulfillment! :) And the best part of all is that I won't have to look at the next 2-6 years of schooling.
So what is it, you ask?? I've decided I want to become a certified Doula. For those of you that may not know what that is (although I hope that most of you reading this will already know!), a doula is labor coach that basically offers physical and emotional support during her entire labor and even postpartum. There is definitely some training involved, some workshops to attend, childbirth classes to attend, a tour of a maternity ward (been there, done that!) and then you get certified. A good friend that I graduated with in Florida is now a certified Doula and just within a couple years, she has 3 Doulas working under her now! She loves it! She said it's so satisfying and rewarding to her. I just really love the whole birthing process, and as much as I think it would be awesome to be a labor and delivery nurse, I don't know if I could get through all the schooling. Even being a midwife is probably more than I'm ready for. But who knows, maybe I'll get into the whole Doula thing and discover I DO want to be an RN or midwife. ?? I just know I'm super excited about this, and for now it's something to get my mind off TTC until we can afford to go forward again. I have 3 books I need to read first and foremost. That will take a while, considering I hate to read. The next step would be to attend 12+ hours of childbirth classes and do a hospital tour, then I can register for my first workshop. I'm shooting for November or January for that. I think they skip December because of the whole holiday thing. I made a couple calls today (and just left messages) to some Doulas in our area to see what the demand is for that here. We live in a pretty small area and when I called my personal Ob/Gyn's office, they didn't know of ANY Doula's here!!!! So is that a good thing or a bad thing??? Hmmmm....
I just think this is it. This is what I've been looking for. Something to do with my life...and something I'm really interested in!!
...So what do you all think?? Go for it?? Crazy?? In the meantime, I want to start applying locally for a part time job after Liam starts school. We could use the extra money to start saving for TTC and Doula training. Maybe I'll check with all the banks in town. Oh and now would be a good time to send in that resume to the school system. We have 3 brand news schools opening soon. Hopefully that might mean more positions. Even the cafeteria would be ok for me!!! :)
Hope everyone's having a great week! Happy Hump Day! It's almost over....
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8 comments:
I think it is GREAT!!! WHEN (positive thinking) I go through labor one day.. I want a professional doula there..
GO FOR IT!
I totally support that! I've considered that as well. I would LOVE the job, but hate the time away from my family.
Sounds like a great plan. I've met some great doula's who were a big help (and only one scary one but you wouldn't be a scary one). I know what you mean about being involved in this area though. I have considered being a nurse midwife just not sure if I want to do another 4 years of school.
I have been a doula since 2002, although I don't practice anymore except for repeat clients and friends. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
I gave up my practice when I got divorced due to the fact that I couldn't very well be on call 24 hours a day w/o someone there to take care of my children.
As much as I loved the work, I will give you a heads up...
To make any amount of money, it does require working quite a bit, (I charged $600.00 per client, if you take 2-3 clients a month which is a lot, you're only making around 1800.00 before expenses.)
Being on call for births also meant missing a lot. I've missed my children's birthdays, school programs, one year I even missed Thanksgiving.
Babies come when they want and your client relies on you to be there for them, it's a strong bond and you can't let them down, even if you have something planned like Christmas!
There is also a tremendous emotional toll that doing that kind of work entails, keeping your clients to one to two a month helps with that and regularly scheduling time off is a must. I would have certain months that I did not take a client, which required a tremendous amount of planning in advance.
Be sure that you and your partner realize that this will impact your life in a big way. You will be often leaving in the middle of the night at a moments notice and be gone for an indefinite amount of time. There were times when I would be with a client for 30 hours only to come home, sleep for a few hours and get called to another birth. One week I had three clients have their babies. I didn't see my children for five days.
It's very good, meaningful work, but not for anyone who is interested in making money or having any time for themselves!
Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck!
Good luck!!!
Being a doula would be very fulfilling! I'm sure you would love it!
Liam is such a cute name. If we have a boy we want to name him Henry Liam. :)
Yes I DO read your blog!! Haha! And I think the doula think would be a lovely idea... infact I could see me doing that also!
Can wait for you to write more :D
sounds like a great idea! I say GO FOR IT!!!!
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