Skip to main content

Back to School

Not a type-o my friends (though on this Blog that is a fair guess) I am headed back to school. Currently trying not to freak. I have my books ordered and classes paid for.

This past year, I all my free time, I was trying to be diligent about figuring out what the heck I am good at. Where is my heart? What gets me excited? After much discussion, I decided to head back to school. On my heart? Women. Motherhood.

The first weekend in March I will be taking an intensive (read: semesters worth of information packed into 3 REALLY long days) course at Columbia University so that I can get licensed as a postpartum parent educator. This is just step one for me, but gets the ball rolling and allows me some career opportunities as I pursue my goal. I will also be working towards my certification as a lactation educator.

So what do I want to be when I grow up? I want to help parents, mostly mothers, feel successful in the most important job that they will ever do; raise their children. After I complete this course work, I would love to spend some time working at a crisis pregnancy center with young moms, helping them bring their new babies home and learning what they need to know to start their parenthood journey. Other than that, I am not really sure. I guess I will just take it year by year, class by class.

For now, I have a bit over a month to finish all my pre required reading and course work. After my class, I have until this new kid shows up to finish the rest. It is a huge undertaking, but I think I can get it done. I figure my chance of completing it BEFORE the new one arrives is MUCH greater that trying to get it done after he is here. My life doesn't seem like it is going to be slowing down in the foreseeable future, so I might as well start!

Comments

Kari Marie said…
My heart just got so excited for you!! Congrats on this brave and bold step. I 100% believe this is your calling and God has gifted you with this talent and passion to help new moms!! So proud of you friend!
noelle said…
Congratulations! I have loved being a postpartum doula. It's such a beautiful thing to watch mamas grow in confidence as they do such an important task. I've wanted to work with young moms, too, but for now I'm still doing only overnights.

I look forward to hearing about your journey!
Woo hoo! Good for you! Can't wait to hear more about it...
song said…
Gretch, this is absolutely perfect for you! I can totally see you in this role/career. So excited for you!
Sarah said…
OK the pregnancy hormones are definitely at work as I just started tearing up when I read this blog post! Having said that, the emotion wasn't all hormones. This is such an awesome step for you and SOOOOO perfect. You will be amazing in all of the different roles you mention, and what a difference you can make in so many lives!

So excited for you!!!
Jennifer McHam said…
Yip yip YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!! You are going to be AWESOME at this!!!!! I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Popular posts from this blog

Working on my Domestic Goddess Badge

I looked at the to-do list I made last week and am happy to say I can cross off almost everything on it. It only took me 2 weeks. I think I either need smaller lists or more time. Here is what I have been up to: -I have made 2 loaves of banana oat bread, 1 batch of blackberry strawberry freezer jam, 1 loaf of gluten free bread. -From 12 juiced grapefruit I made grapefruit curd and a pan of grapefruit bars. -My garden is almost completely done, including a upgrade in size. I am growing tomatoes, onions, peppers, potatoes , cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower , herbs, lettuce, spinach , green beans, snap peas, cucumbers, and kohlrabi. -I hung herbs to dry -I have folded massive amounts of laundry...with more yet to do. All washed with my homemade laundry soap. -I recovered the "green monster" which is another post entirely. -I added a sitting area in my bedroom, where I am currently sitting, so that my laptop has a home other than the kitchen table. - I got a new dining room table a

Changes

A few years ago, a group of friends and I read a great book called "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck". If you haven't read this book, you are missing out. Its quality. It also came at a time in my life that I really needed the message; you can't care about everything. This book encourages you to figure out your values and use your time in energy in THOSE places, because we can't invest ourselves in every thing, even if they are good things! Its no secret that I was raised in family culture that was heavily evangelical Christian. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I hold that faith system and those who follow it in NO high regard. The last 5 years has confirmed that opinion. Even though I was raised to make Christianity my value set, and it was for many years, I find that I no longer align with those values, people or that style of thinking. I am proud, thrilled, at peace, and excited to be an atheist. My life has never been more on track or full of joy than

Birth Story of Jamison Drake Crocker

Not everyone likes to hear how a baby made his way into the world. If you are one of those who just wants to know that baby has arrived and everyone is doing great, then read no further than this paragraph. Jamison Drake Crocker was born at 10:45 on Friday morning, May 18th. He is a big, healthy boy weighing 9lbs and 2oz and is 21.5 inches long. Mama and baby are doing great, sisters are in love and papa is proud. If you are still reading, consider yourself warned. Birth can be messy, and while I have every intention of keeping this non-stomach churning, not all stomachs are made of the same stuff. On Thursday night, Matt had to be in the city for a press event. Around 10:00 I texted and asked him for an ETA and he said he would be home around midnight. I took my very round self and went to bed. I slept fitfully, big and uncomfortable and being woken up by contractions every so often kept me from falling into a deep sleep. At 3:00 am I got up only to find Matt wasn't home. I