By December, I have to have completed 30 hours of continuing education to maintain my national certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist. I’ve had several years to complete this, but since I’ve not worked since before Carson was born and conferences are quite expensive, I have NO hours completed.
Every few weeks when I get my national orgazination‘s newspaper, I suddenly remember those incomplete hours, panic, then get distracted by the dishwasher or screaming children and promptly forget all about it until a few weeks later when I get the mail, and there sits my national organization’s newspaper.
Before the kids were born, I always said I’d go back to work once the kids were in school. I’d work in a school and be gone the same hours they would be gone, it would be easy! There are two more years before Carson and Ella will be in school five days a week and I’m not really sure I even want to work as an SLP again. I’m not really sure I want to work at a traditional job, away from home, having to take sick days and do laundry in the evenings.
I can’t decide if I should get those continuing education hours completed just in case. What if I make the wrong decision and regret not maintaining my certification? I would feel guilty for the potential waste of my hard-earned and expensive (thanks Mom and Dad!) Master’s Degree.
Last February I attended Blissdom in Nashville and left there completely inspired to start my own business. I told everyone who would listen that I was starting a business. As soon as I got home, I bought the domain name for my business, set up a twitter account, made lists, and spoke with a few contacts. I started doing some research regarding business set-up, legal issues, and business accounting procedures. Reality set in that my really great idea would take work, it would take money, and I became overwhelmed and scared.
I have done nothing to see my business come to fruition since those few weeks after Blissdom. Voices of self-doubt have filled my head. “You could never really do this, you know. You have no business sense. You’ll fail.”
I don’t know what it is that I want to do, other than I know that I want to do something with my future. Even when my kids are in school, I’ll always be a mother and have those responsibilities to fulfill, but I know that I want to do more. It’s just that knowing all the work that will go into getting those 30 hours to maintain my certification or starting my business has left me paralyzed and unable to even get started.
Blog Nosh Magazine is currently hosting a carnival, Celebrate the Heart and Art of Motherhood. The carnival was inspired by the founder of Pepperidge Farm, Margaret Rudkin, who faced her son’s food allergies and started a business as a result. I’ve read every post submitted and I’ve been inspired all over again that I really could start a business or maybe even think out of the box in terms of continuing as an SLP. Maybe I could even overcome my fears enough and do something with my love of photography. There are so many things that I could do, because like all the carnival writers, I’m creative and industrious, determined and bright.
I need your help and inspiration. I hope you’ll consider writing your own post for Blog Nosh Magazine’s carnival and tell me what lit your fire and inspired you. So many of you out there reading, I know that you’ve somehow managed to weave motherhood and work together, some of you have started businesses, donated your time. I know you have done wonderful things. Come on people, light my fire. (Please excuse the cheesy Doors reference, I couldn’t resist.)
I’m in the same place. I have a Master Degree and lots of ambition and motivation behind me, and my life as a mother/wife ahead of me. I know I want to do SOMETHING, but I don’t know what (or how…) Then the kids scream, my husband can’t find the diapers, the dishwasher smells… and it’s back to life. I can’t tell you what to do. (I know, I’m useless, right?)
Only that you’ve already accomplished so much. You should follow your passion and I have every confidence that everything else will fall into place. You go, girl!
.-= Formerly Gracie´s last blog ..The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Small Talk with Big People =-.
I know several moms who are private SLPs around here. I don’t know how paranoid parents in your area are, but if they’re like they are here every kid who doesn’t sound like Katie Couric by age 2 goes to speech therapy. It’s basically like high-end tutoring and it’s very flexible.
.-= Jerseygirl89´s last blog ..Jerseygirl Takes Manhattan, Part Deux* =-.
I’m definitely considering going the private route. I’ll have to figure out if it’s worth spending even more money getting licensed (a whole OTHER thing than being nationally certified and different that a teaching certificate.) They just don’t make this simple!
If I didn’t have my three boys tugging at my skirt and work emails to answer, I’d write a novel in comments here. So glad I clicked over just now…this is *so* a conversation I’m interested in. Maybe I can swing back over later…or even find the time to write about it. Thanks for the nudge.
-elizabeth
.-= Elizabeth (claritychaos)´s last blog ..In which I’m caught on camera letting my baby play with scissors (TV CLIP!) =-.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Don’t think I can light your fire, but I am in a similar boat with you. I have a bachelor degree in Elem. Ed. My license has expired since the birth of my son. I would have to go take more college classes to reinstate it. That’s not going to happen right now, and I don’t know if it ever will. I love being home with my son. I don’t think I want to go back to teaching. And I think I want to be around for my son even when he’s in school, like you. I have not found out what I might do while he’s in school, but for now I’ll enjoy this part of my life. I know it will only last so long.
.-= Mommy Daisy´s last blog ..Evidence =-.
I am a SLP too…I say do both. Keep your license active and start your business. We are so lucky to be in a field that always has work (amazing!) so I would keep that as your safety net.
I have a couple things that I would like to do so I can be weathy and not work ever again and you have just given me the push to look at them again:)
.-= Amy´s last blog ..The Final Journey =-.
Any suggestions on cheap/free CEU’s? I know Lingua-Systems have some. I’m purposely not going to BlogHer this year, partly so I’ll have a little extra cash for the CEU’s.
I am an uber practical person so forgive me in advance. I think there are two different issues.
First should you renew? To me, that depends on whether you are covered if something were to happen to your husband. If he died next year, would you need to be an SLP to pay the bills or do you have enough life insurance and/or career options? (People hate talking about this but you have to talk about it when kids are in the picture.)
Second, on the motivation part, that is a hard one. What is stopping you from moving forward? Why did you go from really excited to not doing anything?
I had melanoma last year at 35 and freaked all winter, realizing that my end might be sooner than I planned. I did Mondo Beyondo on a whim and it was the best therapy EVER. It made me realize I am the one limiting myself. It was never lack of motivation. It was lack of confidence in myself.
If I died and my only contribution to the world was data warehousing, I would not be happy with my life. However if I died and my contribution was beautiful pictures of people with their loved ones, I could die happy. After Mondo, that’s my dream I am actively pursuing… while also working a full time job and having my husband travel and four year old twins and working out to lose the emotional melanoma eating weight and everything else.
I am as tired as if I had newborn twins but I have a bounce in my step.
.-= LauraC´s last blog ..Swim team update: week 1 =-.
I have definitely thought about the what ifs, in the event of Tate’s inability to work/God forbid, death. My business idea might eventually support us, but being an SLP would be far more lucrative.
I know that what’s holding me back in both areas is lack of confidence in my self, 100%. I’m afraid to continue in speech because I’ve been away so long, I’m worried that I won’t be able to get back into it. I’m afraid of the business stuff because of how much I don’t know! I went from being really excited to the reality that their are set-up costs, business laws, website startup costs…it’s all so overwhelming, I’m just paralyzed.
The same goes with pursuing photography, I see other’s photos and think that mine will never compare.
I’m so confident in other areas of my life, I wish I wasn’t so unsure of myself when it comes to something like this.
Sounds like SLP – worth pursuing, even if it is just a back up plan. It is very hard to find flexible jobs that pay well!
On the photography front, your photos are GREAT. It is very easy in the blogosphere to see so many professional pictures and feel like you will never get there. But at the heart, they all have a good eye and you have a good eye.
My Mondo photography dream went from a “I’d love to do this!” to reality when I sat down, made a prioritized list, and committed to spending an hour every day on the list. I schedule it in like any other activity. It’s so easy to get in that stuck phase where you spin your wheels.
So maybe the motivation we can provide you is to tell you to do ONE THING today that is working toward your dream.
.-= LauraC´s last blog ..Swim team update: week 1 =-.
I just graduated with my Masters Degree in Education. I am already thinking I am not going to want to go back to teaching/full time work when my boys are in school. In an effort to not lose the skills/knowledge that I worked so hard for, I decided to tutor elementary students over the summer one night a week. As jerseygirl said, maybe you can find some children to work with to keep current in your field.
Whatever you pick will be the right choice! Good luck with the decision making and you will be successful, as you already are, in whatever you chose!
I just started my blog. If you are interested, please check it out and let me know what you think! http://www.pinkmom2boys.blogspot.com
this past december i spent a week straight frantically completing my 31 hours of continuing legal education that i had three years to get done. i feel your pain.
you’ll do great with the business.
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Dear April… =-.
I think that you would be FANTASTIC at starting a business! You’re so energetic and creative, you could be nothing but successful!
That being said, I would still renew your certification. Only because it would be twice as much work (or more) to try and get it back once you had let your license lapse. Even if you never use it, it would at least give you a few more years to think about things.
My mom did SLP for years — she taught in a school and loved it. She’s been retired for about three years, and now she just does subbing and some tutoring. She has a super flexible schedule and other than her set kids that she tutors, she only works when she feels like it.
Best of luck — whatever you decide, I know you’ll be fantastic! Your kids are so lucky to have such an excellent role model!
.-= Maggie´s last blog ..Best Shot Monday – Sisters =-.
The first step you take, is the Longest stride…(Nickelback).
DO your hours just in case. You have no idea where you will want to be in a year. If I look back just 2 years, I went from self-doubt, and NO confidence to a thriving business. Seriously, no one gave me a kick up the butt. I was not inspired by some guru to ditch my self esteem issues and make something of myself. My secret? One step at a time. Before you know it a year has past, you’ve gone a hundred miles, put yourself through school (or your hours…for example), and have a thriving business on your hands. So you make a few mistakes along the way, it’s how I’ve learned. I’m not tooting my own trumpet here, I’m just kind of saying GO FOR IT! You will amaze yourself!
I also have no intention of going back to the ‘ugly corporate workplace’ and being available to my kids when they are not at school/or home sick is vitally important to me. It’s what motivated me to keep going. While you may not think that you need to stay certified now, who knows what happens six months from now – you may need to earn an extra income for *whatever* life throws at you. Just this week our washing machine gave up the ghost, along with the dishwasher, AND the vacuum, and just when the hubby was like all *OMG* and *how are we going to pay for THREE new appliances!!??* I was like, “TADA!!!” and man, did *that* feel good!
.-= Vanessa M Design´s last blog ..Product Label Design for Small Business =-.
I keep telling myself that I just need to take one step at a time. I’ve been told that you eat an elephant one bite at a time. I just need to TAKE A STEP! Any step!
As a mother to a girl on the autism spectrum, I’m in awe of what SLP do, so I’m a bit biased on this subject. My feeling is you should do your CPEs. I know it’s a pain, but it will keep options open for you. And wouldn’t it be awesome to work school hours (and have summers off) so your schedule is in sync with your kids’ schedules? Also, completing those hours doesn’t mean you can’t do something else instead. It just means you’re not throwing your certification away!
.-= Cheryl D.´s last blog ..Vote for Me! =-.
Do the hours for the continuing education credits! Seriously register for some! You will kick your self if you don’t get it done. Thirty hours are not that many. Think of it this way it is less than a full time workers work week. After that is taken care of, crossed off the list, eliminated from the back of your nagging mind, focus on your business plan. With current certification you have way more business opportunities, or directions you can go. Good luck!
as your SLP representative. find all the free credits you can get. and get them. i have some ideas if you need them.
and then?
sit back and figure out what you want. because i think that sometimes having that something … is like having a net underneath your tightrope. and then it’s easier to step out onto the rope.
i’m taking this summer to make a business plan for a photography business. and yes. by telling you that … i’m personally holding myself responsible. and i’m more than willing to hand you my telephone number so that we can do it together. and give each other crap over the phone if we don’t accomplish the goals that we set for ourselves. deal?
and i think that we have something really good in that SLPs are overly needed. everywhere. and it’s a good position to sit in when you think you want to do something else. because you can do both. or you can risk it and do the new thing knowing that you can return to the SLP thing if you need to. or to supplement. you know?
here is my matchstick that is lighting MY fire. right now … i’m overwhelmingly driving myself to the looney bin. and i need to fix things so that i don’t ruin my kids and/or myself. and i need to do something that makes me a better mother. so i’ve decided. and i have my husband that believes in me. and i plan to create a business plan and apply for a small business loan. whew. sounds easier when i write it.
want to do it together?
.-= jen´s last blog ..fix it friday … =-.
Yes, please tell me about the cheap/free ceu’s!
I like your idea of a business plan, I tend to do better with written goals instead of random ideas floating in my head.
And yes, we definitely could use each other to motivate ourselves!
I worry all the time about reentering the work force after my kids are older. I mean, I have so many things that I want to do with my life, and I have so many interests and passions and things I want to learn and things I want to contribute to society at large… So along those lines of thinking, if I were you, I’d keep my certification. I’d try to fill the 30 hours, just so that I had a stepping stone back to a professional life.
Doing that wouldn’t mean that you can’t start a business or delve into photography or anything like that. It just means keeping your foot in the door, for your own sake.
It’s a tricky situation for sure! We’ve read 2 books for our book club that address this issue. The Ten Year Nap and Get To Work. I’d highly recommend both to get your wheels turning more!
.-= Marie Green´s last blog ..Books =-.
I ran into the same problem last fall letting some of my licenses go, which was something before I said I would never do. However, I haven’t thought much about it since.
Would be interested in knowing more about your new business idea. Would it be along the same path as your SLP or something totally new and different?
My business idea has nothing at all to do with Speech Pathology, though I do have *other* ideas of how I could continue as an SLP, just with a flexible schedule.
As a teacher in my previous life… before kids, I need to keep up my certificate in case I ever want to go back. I made the decision to keep up with the college classes. I don’t think I will ever regret doing those classes to keep my certificate current, but I would probably regret letting it lapse. At least I have that option should I ever desire to go back to the grind of teaching.
I’m in a very similar place, Jen, and when I read some of the stuff on Blog Nosh last week, I was seized with inspiration. And dread. And nausea.
But now I am going to light your fire and go over and submit something. Mwah! Mwah! to you and your fabulous dreams. I think you’re simply terrific and I bet you could do whatever you wanted and not fail. Whatever “fail” means.
.-= dusty earth mother´s last blog ..I’m a Cool Whip Queen! =-.
Hi there!
Found your blog on complete accident today, and usually I am just a lurker. Your post today about going back to work hit a note with me. My son receives speech therapy and my suggestion to you would be to offer private sessions. My son was not receiving what we felt to be adequate therapy (frequency-wise). We spent hours and hours searching for a SLP that would be available outside the county to no avail. It was hard to watch him struggle and not progress due to the infrequency of therapy. I would have been willing to hire you without your 30 CEU based on your Masters and previous experience.
Luckily, he received a diagnosis that required the county to up his therapy and place him in a specialized preschool. It has worked out for us. Although many kids are like my son, scores are to high cognitively to qualify for what he really needs.
Just my two cents! We would have loved to stumble across someone like you! Good luck in anything you choose!
Shelley
You touch upon some great points that every mother faces. I don’t know your potential business or business plan, but you seem pretty gutsy. I say go for it.
Ten years ago, my parents got divorced and my mom sunk every penny she had into starting her own magazine. Two years later, she was turning a profit. We all doubted her, but here she is, celebrating her 10 year anniversary – and making quite a nice salary.
Being an entrepreneur is difficult, but so rewarding. You can do it!
My mother didn’t go back to work until I was almost out of high school. And I always wondered what she did in her spare time while we were at school. I imagined her lounging on a velvet sette (although we didn’t own one that I knew of), eating Godiva chocolates and reading Danielle Steele novels.
HAH.
Now? I realize that even then she was doing all the chores she wasn’t able to get done the entire decade before then.
Of course, she was also rather unfulfilled by her laundry dates. So I say go for it – what’s the worst that can happen? You end up right back where you are now.
.-= Domesticated Gal´s last blog ..My Kingdom for a Gas Mask =-.
It’s better to regret something you’ve done than something you haven’t done. Can’t hurt, right?
We are in the process of starting our own business. I shouldn’t say WE because I’m the one that is motivated and inspired but it’s my husband talent that will be doing the work. He is a procrastinator and I’m a doer.
I think you should follow your dream….whatever it may be.
.-= Connie @ Young and Relentless´s last blog ..Hurley Lives! =-.
Next to your kids, there is nothing more important than security. God knows what could happen in life and you have to make sure you can provide for your children if something were to happen to change your current situation.
I had a degree in English and was maybe… going to become a teacher and just didn’t know; I had my daughter almost a year ago (where that year went, I’ll never know) and I just started a second-degree accelerated nursing program in March.
I don’t think anyone every knows what they want to do when they grow up, but when I had my baby girl, I knew I had to have something that will always provide me and my baby with security, god forbid something happened to her father. Thank god, too, since he and I have since split up. I’m now a single mother of an 11 month old, and am so grateful I decided to go back to school
On a different note, I feel strong knowing that my daughter will grow up someday and realize the hard work that her mother did for her, and respect me for being independent and hard working.
I was a stay at home mom for 9 months, and I loved it to death and it surely is the hardest job in the world, stay at home moms deserve to be paid time and a half what the president makes; but there is nothing like knowing deep inside you will independently be able to take care of your family were something to happen.
Women— mothers are the strongest people in the world; I would say, continue upholding that role and finish your hours. You’ll give yourself something to exercise your brain, and you will have the peace of mind that you have security were something to happen. Good for you for contemplating this!
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Phantom Limb =-.
I have a couple things that I would like to do so I can be weathy and not work ever again and you have just given me the push to look at them again:)