Welcome Our Newest Blog Contributor: Debbie Tyson

Author: Debbie Tyson

Having and raising kids has been both one of the hardest and best things I’ve done in my life to date. Coming to the decision to have a family did not come lightly. I had a nice life before – strong relationship with my partner, active and fulfilling social and professional life, hobbies, weekend adventures and journeys to beautiful places, a dog to love and care for. I can’t say I never look back with longing to the good old days, especially on those mornings that I’m up before 5pm with the kiddos or my daughter is requesting mac and cheese for dinner for the 8th time that week, but I really can’t imagine my life without them now.

I’m the proud mama to six month old baby Benjamin, 3.5 year old daughter Maya and Miles our neurotic, ever-herding pup. My husband and I have been together for 12 years and we live in West Roxbury.

I spent the majority of my career working in the public and non-profit sector in education, mentoring, program management and HR. As the reality of having a family eeked closer I wanted to explore other career options that would give me more flexibility over my time and allow me to contribute my best to the world and my community. It was a double opportunity – both to intentionally choose a career that would work with parenting and to reinvent my career in favor of the things I was best at and enjoyed doing the most. After learning about coaching, I was sold. I could take a lifelong commitment to understanding people - who they really are, where they're coming from, what influences and motivates them and what's important to them and help them to translate that into a functional plan to carry out their ideal life, career or business.

Since becoming a parent, I’ve come to see that amongst all the crazy changes that happen in your life when you become a parent – aligning your career aspirations with the rest of your life often sits on top on the pile of stressors. For many people, before having kids, your career is top priority - growing, learning, making money, climbing the ladder. After having kids, many people feel as though they are always treading water, barely keeping their head above the surface – in many areas of life.

Whether you like it or not, your career must change after having kids – but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Most likely, your priorities, interests, motivations have shifted since taking on this new role of parent. Your career is just one of the many important things in your life now.

With the right lens, this is a really good thing. It’s a chance to regroup and reinvent yourself, both as the professional and as the parent you want to be. It’s a chance to make a clear choice about what’s good for you – to stand up for yourself and your family and the community who’s telling us to do it all. It’s a chance to clarify what you really want, explore your options, make a plan and make it happen. What’s stopping you?

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Mindfulness is for Everyone

Laundry, running errands, getting the kids to dance/karate/soccer, work out (ha!), make dinner, etc. Who has time for meditation?

If sitting in one spot for an hour doesn't work for you, check-out this great infographic from mommy blogger, Debbie Tyson. There is something on this list for everyone.