When we flew to Taiwan in July of 2012, I was able to take a leave of absence from my job. My employer allows up to 18 months leave of absence for paternity/adoption leave. In Canada we were eligible for 35 week partially paid paternal leave. At the end of the 35 weeks, we tightened up our budget and made some changes so that I could stay off work for the full 18 months. It was a huge blessing to have so much special time with Grace and have 18 months to focus on our family!
I am so thankful for the amazing opportunity to take parental leave. The first 6 months were a bit of a haze, as we adapted to less sleep, new schedules and routine. I would love to say our 18 months were all rainbows and giggles, but life was sometimes hard. Teething is hard… no sleep is hard…. exploring boundaries and seeking independence is a hard stage. But there were so many amazing moments, making new friends, watching Grace learn and grow, jumping in mud puddles, spending extra time with the people we love and so many other adventures. I will forever be thankful that I was able to devote my full attention to Grace for those 18 months. They are precious, wonderful memories that I will cherish forever.
Many people have very strong opinions on the career vs stay at home mom debate. I was given a lot of advise from anyone who knew our situation. There are great articles out there telling me I am ruining my child by having a career instead of staying at home. There are great articles out there that tell me I am running my kid by keeping them in a cocoon of the safety of home instead of expanding their horizons at daycare while I go back to work. There are great articles saying that women can do it all. There are great articles saying we can't. At the end of the day the choice to head back to work was ours as a family, and as a family we had to make the decision that was best for us.
This past Monday Grace and I put on our big girl pants and embraced a new day… full of new adventures and change…
We had a great start to our new adventure. Getting back to work was a lot of fun. I have great co workers, who were incredibly patient with me as I tried to remember where I left off 18 months ago. Grace had a great week with her Nana. It was fun to hear her babble her stories and bounce around the house in excitement each night.
I am so thankful for my Mom who offered to watch Grace. I know this will be a special time for both of them. I am thankful to my co workers who have been so patient and understanding. I am thankful for Ryan who always puts us first and has made so many sacrifices for us.
Change is inevitable… but wether it sneaks up on your or you see it coming a mile away… we are doing our best to make the most of it…. we are going to seize the day!
blessings!
I am so thankful for the amazing opportunity to take parental leave. The first 6 months were a bit of a haze, as we adapted to less sleep, new schedules and routine. I would love to say our 18 months were all rainbows and giggles, but life was sometimes hard. Teething is hard… no sleep is hard…. exploring boundaries and seeking independence is a hard stage. But there were so many amazing moments, making new friends, watching Grace learn and grow, jumping in mud puddles, spending extra time with the people we love and so many other adventures. I will forever be thankful that I was able to devote my full attention to Grace for those 18 months. They are precious, wonderful memories that I will cherish forever.
Many people have very strong opinions on the career vs stay at home mom debate. I was given a lot of advise from anyone who knew our situation. There are great articles out there telling me I am ruining my child by having a career instead of staying at home. There are great articles out there that tell me I am running my kid by keeping them in a cocoon of the safety of home instead of expanding their horizons at daycare while I go back to work. There are great articles saying that women can do it all. There are great articles saying we can't. At the end of the day the choice to head back to work was ours as a family, and as a family we had to make the decision that was best for us.
This past Monday Grace and I put on our big girl pants and embraced a new day… full of new adventures and change…
We had a great start to our new adventure. Getting back to work was a lot of fun. I have great co workers, who were incredibly patient with me as I tried to remember where I left off 18 months ago. Grace had a great week with her Nana. It was fun to hear her babble her stories and bounce around the house in excitement each night.
I am so thankful for my Mom who offered to watch Grace. I know this will be a special time for both of them. I am thankful to my co workers who have been so patient and understanding. I am thankful for Ryan who always puts us first and has made so many sacrifices for us.
Change is inevitable… but wether it sneaks up on your or you see it coming a mile away… we are doing our best to make the most of it…. we are going to seize the day!
blessings!
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