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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!
30 January, 2012 09:22
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!
30 January, 2012 09:33
Honeycutt Family said…
Woo hoo! Good for you! Can't wait to hear more about it...
30 January, 2012 14:01
song said…
Gretch, this is absolutely perfect for you! I can totally see you in this role/career. So excited for you!
30 January, 2012 22:30
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!!!
31 January, 2012 14:06
Jennifer McHam said…
Yip yip YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!! You are going to be AWESOME at this!!!!! I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31 January, 2012 18:44
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