Life as a parent can be all-consuming, blurring the lines between who we are and who we become for our children. I used to define myself solely as "Katie the Worker," finding purpose and identity in work.
Thanks to the amazing four-day workweek at Merit America, I get to pick my son up early (aka on time) on Fridays. The other day, Leo asked if he could still go to after-school, suggesting I "play with Daddy, read a book, or just be by myself." His sweet suggestion was such a wake-up call.
It dawned on me that "Katie the Worker" had unintentionally transformed into "Katie, Leo's Mom." Two other realizations struck:
🔹 Gratitude is overdue: Leo's love for after-school speaks volumes about his incredible teachers (seriously, chess club and melta beads beat most things!).
🔹 My world seems small to him: My son definitely thinks he is my only friend and might feel bad for me.
Being his mom is a core part of me (anyone who meets me at Merit America knows I am mom to Leo within 5 minutes), but it's not the whole story. While being his mom is a huge part of who I am, it’s not the whole story. I also have interests, friendships, and a need for self-care.
Today, I'll juggle errands and housework, but I'll also carve out time for myself. Maybe it's reading (my current book is The Story of Russia, which is very on-brand), catching up on "Traitors" (so good!), or, honestly, a much-needed nap (this week has had a ton of early mornings).
This journey isn't about neglecting responsibilities but about embracing all the facets of myself: the dedicated worker, the loving parent, and the unique individual with independent interests (including 400+ books about Russia).
#WorkLifeHarmony #MeritAmerica #FourDayWorkWeek #RemoteWork #WorkingParents
(The picture below is Leo at after-school drawing an ice cream cone)