Part-Time Doctor: Laurie’s Story

What’s your story? “WHY” are you navigating the part-time jungle and “HOW” did you find your part-time job and “HOW” have you made your job fit your juggle? 

I love learning through the stories and experiences of others. The more I talk to others, the more that I realize that I am not alone in this journey. My hope is to create an online “village” or community of support – to share ideas and inspiration so we can help one another map out our adventure in the part-time jungle. 

Meet Laurie!

Laurie, my sister-in-law’s sister, is a married mom of a 6-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter. I have known Laurie since her sister, Carrie, came into my brother’s life about 12 years ago. We see each other at larger family gatherings and we both always get a kick out of how well her son and my youngest son get along so well, although they don’t see each other that often. Laurie is incredibly sweet, easy to talk to, and is a doctor who practices family medicine and low risk obstetrics. She was actually one of the doctor’s who came to check in on my third baby and I in the hospital shortly after his birth!

In her own words, here is Laurie’s “WHY” and “HOW”:

What is Your “Why”?

Why do you work part-time as a doctor and why do you work at the job that you have?

I work part-time as a doctor so that I can be present in my children’s lives while they are growing up but still maintain my position and license as a physician doing low risk obstetrics and family medicine. My husband James is a very busy lawyer and it just wasn’t feasible for both of us to be working 60-70+ hours a week. Part time work is amazing because I love my days at home with the kids, hair in a bun and Lululemon pants, and then, the next day I am in dress clothes doing a clinic. The variety is the spice to my happiness. Then just when I am tired of work politics I have the next afternoon off to volunteer at my son’s school or take my daughter to music class.

What is Your “How”?

How did you find your part-time job? How have you made working part time fit with your juggle?

I thought prior to having kids that I would work full-time and continue my pre-child pace. When I first held my son and fell in love with that little face I knew that my life was forever changed. I knew in my heart I would never be able to work in the capacity I did prior and to be away from him all the time. I went to talk to the partners at our office and proposed the idea of job sharing with another doctor. All the eight partners had to unanimously vote in my favour. I thought it was never going to happen as it had not been done previously. They were wonderfully supportive doctors/women and mothers and voted that I could stay on at the clinic and work part-time as a doctor.

My other how is our amazing nanny Connie whom we have had 4 days a week since our son was 10 months. He is now 6. She is an amazing human being and our family is forever grateful to her. She is a part of our family and I can’t imagine our lives without her. Thank you Connie.

Thanks for sharing your story Laurie! 🙂 

—————————-

Please share your story! I would love to hear your “Why” and “How”. It’s easier to navigate the part-time jungle when you know you’re not alone. 

Tiana 

It takes a village! Join “The Part-Time Jungle” community!

Check out The Part-Time Jungle Podcast – all about swinging motherhood and work!