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A few months ago, I attended a boutique sale a mom-of-twins friend of mine put on. Carla of BabyJI Design is a mom of twins, a budding professional photographer and designer of fabulous, funky, fun skirts for little girls (see photo). My girls can’t stop twirling around in her skirts and complain rather loudly when it’s time to take their skirts off and get dressed for bed. Carla’s twins are now 3 years old and like the rest of us who have survived twins parenthood beyond the first couple years, finally has time to think about what she’d like to do in her life outside of raising her kids.
Since my girls were infants, I’ve made a whole new set of friends – other moms of twins in Gemini Crickets. We all share a special bond in raising our multiples though our lives were quite different before this phase. Each time I get to know another mom, I’m constantly amazed. Pre-children careers in this group include a rocket scientist (literally), lawyers, teachers, principals, vice presidents, directors, social workers, CPA’s and more, much more. It’s a highly educated lot.
Some of us moms in this group have returned to our pre-twins careers working full- or part-time. Some of us are fortunate to be able to stay home to care for the kids (a more exhausting and personally rewarding career than any other I have known). And some are embarking upon new paths - like Carla’s photography business and skirt designs.
Having children could change your priorities. Having children could open your eyes to a part of you, you’d forgotten. The bulk of my pre-children professional career was in hi-tech, as you might expect in Silicon Valley. My particular career path led me to leading marketing teams. The [pre-children] career change to scrapbooking entrepreneur taught me that creative design is also a personal strength.
When our twins entered preschool, I went back to hi-tech. The reality is that we live in Silicon Valley and life is not cheap. However, in this raising-children phase of my life, I have rediscovered a passion and talent in photography. It’s another direction I see in my future. Even more significant than changing industries and careers, raising my children has opened up possible career paths I would not have previously considered. Photographing my (and others’) children reminded me of a gift I’d almost forgotten. I’m looking forward to exploring a new direction.
Posted by Linda D (January 25, 2008)
