Lindsay See Watson, PT, MPT, is a physical therapist, mother of three, wife, and writer. Her first essay for MotherBoard explores one of our favorite working motherhood concepts: the idea that being both a mom and a worker might actually make you better – at both. Help us welcome Lindsay to the MotherBoard blog and please share your questions and comments below!
I will admit that when I chose the field of Physical Therapy, I had more than career aspirations in mind. I wanted the best of both worlds- motherhood AND career. Like most other women, time somehow taught me these two worlds had to be separate and each would somehow suffer because of the other.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
With relentless effort, I pursued my Master of Physical Therapy, and equally committed to the growth of my family by having three beloved children. Each day, I tried to learn more and hone my clinical skills while preserving enough energy to be a present mother that can wipe the majority of their tears, attend the occasional class party and wait at the end of the driveway when the bus arrives. After years of painstakingly pursuing each dream, I finally realized they weren’t so far removed from each other.
Like you, I’m sure, I’ve had more than one employer groan once they learned that I’m a mother of three. “Oh really? THREE kids? That’s a lot of kids!” I knew what they were thinking. As they looked at me and weighed the pros and cons of my employment, they couldn’t hide their wonder if a childless counterpart would be better. My considerable work experience and clinical skill was being mulled against whether I would be late over a forgotten book report, need time off for the kindergarten play, or would leave at a moment’s notice after one of my kids threw up on the playground. Continue reading “Two worlds (one mom)”
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