@jwesley FWIW, pre-kid I was all about my career in a somewhat dangerous and very demanding field. I was with a local agency, in processes with larger government agencies that would demand travel and 24/7 on-call status.
I now work from home at a desk job and I’m NEV.ER. going back to what I did before. It took some soul searching (I’ve literally wanted nothing more my whole life) but I am not my career, and I can still have a fulfilling life without needing to separate myself from my new family.
My mom travelled for work SO much when my brother and I were younger. She is very successful and tried to meet our needs as much as she could, but she says it was her biggest regret. I wouldn’t say I had a traumatic upbringing by any means but therapy (thanks PPD/anxiety) has uncovered a lot that stems from emotionally immature parents, some abandonment themes,
I guess you don’t need to be a superhero to be one for your child. I’m confident there are ways you could teach them about empathy, caring for others, helping those in crisis, without needing to be gone during key developmental times. I know personally, I have zero clue what my mom did for work when I was younger, BUT I remember my dad being the primary caregiver, him forgetting to pick me up after basketball practice multiple times, me calling mom while she was states away
Not trying to pass judgement by any means, just voicing things I myself have worked through. Some women can do/have it all but I know my limits and burnout is a bitch.