Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Best Of Both Worlds

In less than three weeks, I'll be finished with grad school and I couldn't be happier. This semester has been super hectic and my workload has been crazy stressful.

Not to mention that my babysitter recently found a job, which has made it quite tricky for me to attend all my evening classes. In fact, I've taken Aiden to class with me twice already this semester, but only to classes that I knew he'd enjoy and more importantly, classes that I knew the Professors would enjoy him. Next week, he may have to accompany me to one more class if I don't secure a baby sitter. At such a young age, he's learning how to hustle with me. But I digress.

Even though I've been over-caffienated and over-tired since grad school started, I cannot believe that I am about to be done. D-O-N-E stick-a-fork-in-it-and-give-me-my-two-degrees done!

I cannot believe that I did it while taking care of a child. Many of you may know this already, but my pregnancy was not planned. And being young, hip, and fresh out of college made it that much harder to deal with Motherhood.

I watched with a hint jealousy as my peers partied, socialized, and made moves to further their careers by studying for the GMAT's and LSAT's, applying to grad school, and attending conferences.

I wanted to do that too. But for some reason, I felt as though I couldn't. I felt my dreams slipping away from me. Slowly, but surely.

But one day, something clicked inside of me and I made a change. I started to make time for me and my aspirations... right in the midst of Motherhood.

I didn't take weeks to fill out my grad school applications and write an admissions essays. I didn't have the luxury of that much time. I completed my applications in one weekend during Aiden's nap hours. Multi-tasking at its finest -- #Winning.

And grad school has taught this single mama to multi-task like it's nobody's business. I stay on my grind. I've learned to manage my time well. I've learned to bang out papers in a specific amount of time instead of waiting until the last minute. I simply don't have time to procrastinate. I've got a preschooler who needs my undivided attention by day, and schoolwork that needs my undivided attention by night. I've got bedtime rituals to enforce and a forehead to kiss when Aiden's scared of the ghosts at night.

I schedule play dates and study sessions; doctor visits and meetings with Professors; time with Aiden and time with friends. I deal with research papers and potty training; exams and effective discipline strategies.

I’ve learned to go hard or go home. I have to. It's the only way to go.

It has taken me a while to get to this particular point in my life, but now I see that it's all about perspective. Life may not be what I planned, but I gotta tell ya, it's some kind of awesome.

My younger friends are busy working hard, player harder, and tirelessly pursuing their career goals. My older friends are busy enjoying their families and reaping the rewards of their former hard work.

I get to enjoy both. I get to pursue my career goals while navigating Mommy Land. It's hard and tiring and stressful at times, but at the end of the day, it's a blessing that I wouldn't trade.

It's the best of both worlds. And it has taught me well.

I may be a bit tired, but I'm determined to finish strong. I can't stop, won't stop until I am done. And totally #Winning.

25 comments:

  1. I'm proud of you for accomplishing both simultaneously! Many would have given up on school, or taken a less active role in their kid's life. You seem to have danced a beautifully balanced line.

    Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

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  2. Alright now! I'm scare of you!! Congratulations on sticking to your goals and giving it your all (even when you felt like you had nothing left to give). I am always in awe of moms who persevere like you have. I wish many blessings in the future! :)

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  3. I'm so proud of you! You make it look so easy, and that's a good thing! Congrats on your upcoming graduation :) xoxo

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  4. Yes, you are #Winning!! You can have your cake and eat it too.

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  5. Understand about taking little people to class with you. Laughter! My youngest who is now getting ready for college reminded me of that the other day. :)

    Congrats on everything!

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  6. OH my gosh, how I just love this post! Amazing!!! You are a SuperMujer and I am so proud of you and you degrees, girl!!!

    Congrats on accomplishing so much. You ROCK!!!!

    Best,
    Li
    @LaLicenciada
    @HerDeepThoughts

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  7. Congratulations to you on your accomplishments! I could never imagine raising a child by myself, let alone tackling school at the same time. Single moms amaze me!
    Kudos to you my dear, for being just fabulous!

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  8. Look at you...you are amazing! Congratulations!

    Carla

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  9. I think it's amazing how you manage to balance everything in your life, without having to sacrifice anything that's important to you. You're an inspiration to all of us - single moms, married moms, new moms, seasoned moms.

    Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Girl, I know how good THAT feels!!!!!

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  10. I'm so proud of you! You have worked so hard and accomplished so much despite everything you have on your plate...Aiden is so lucky to have such a strong, hardworking woman as a mother!! xx

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  11. This is an awesome post! You described the student mommy life perfectly. It really is the best of both worlds! I have three more years until I get my M.D., but you definitely have shown me the light at the end of the tunnel...Congratulations on your graduation and God bless!

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  12. Congratulations! All of your hard work has finally paid off! Bask in your glory and be proud of yourself. You deserve it, girl!!

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  13. There is so much stress involved with trying to go to school and keep house and work!

    Congratulations! You're almost at the finish line...thank goodness you had a sympathetic professor...mine didn't care! Lol

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  14. Congrats to you! As another grad schoolin' single mama I know it's not easy feat but we are doing it and showing our sons that hard work pays off!

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  15. congratulations! hopefully i'll be making a similar post a few years from now...lol, finish strong, girl! :)

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  16. kudos to you.. i swear your post was such an inspiration to me.. i was in grad school last year and had to take a break because i was pregnant.. i want to go back but was just concerned because my job is very demanding and it was before so to now add a baby on top of it scared the crap out of me.. but like you said "go hard or go home" with hard work and dedication, all things are possible..

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  17. DO IT!! I love that you remember to remind yourself that you did it, are doing it, and WILL DO IT until it's done. CONGRATS on LIFE girl, see you and Aiden at the top, Chunks and I will meet you there with ice cream! :-)

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  18. An amazing tale of triumph. Glad you won't have to get stuck with the "what ifs"--cheers to all your accomplishments. I can't wait to see your next chapter.

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  19. Hey, Alicia! I've followed your blog for a while, and I'm super proud of the woman you are. It's hard, but worth it! Looking forward to your posts on TheYoungMommyLife!

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  20. You are amazing! You have made the best out of your situation and cherished it! You go mama!!! Aiden is LUCKY to have you!

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  21. I'm just always in awe of you my friend! We are going to have to squeeze in some celebrating!

    Congratulations you are amazing at everything you do! :)

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  22. You're a super hero, lady. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Congrats!!

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  23. First Let me say you were brave to choose Aiden and parenting even with all the obstacles you knew you would face and those you didn't anticipate. I certainly know the story. I've been single parenting for 11.5 years. I took my breastfed baby boy to class when I didn't bave helped. Stepped out nursed him and returned. God showed me favor with my professors. I went on to pursue my Masters and now a degree in Human Services. I salute you and every mom or dad holding things down and still chasing dreams but more importantly achieving goals. No limits no boundaries!

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  24. That about sums it up -- no limits, no boundaries. Well said.

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