Creating Opportunity At Every Twist And Turn

Just when you thought you were busy and tired, meet Yvette Urrutia – single mother of two pursuing a new career. 

Yvette is a mom, student, employee and active school volunteer…so, you wonder, how on earth does she make it through the day?  To learn about her strategies and guiding principals…keep on reading!

Describe your current work/life picture today.
Currently, I am a single mother of two children and a full-time student fulfilling pre-requisites for nursing school. I go to school Monday through Friday and work part-time Friday through Sunday. I am actively involved in both of my children's schools.
Describe your work when you became a mom.
When I became a mom with my first child (now 10 years old), I was a public relations coordinator for Notre Dame de Namur University. I dealt with media relations for the college and worked with faculty and staff on the annual magazine.

Did you take time off after becoming a mother?
I took four months off work after having my first child.   
                                                                            
Did your thoughts about work change after having
Children?
Yes. I really did not expect to feel so different about my job. In public relations you are constantly on deadlines and it is a fast paced field, it all seemed so trivial after having Austin. I wanted to be home with him, I felt like I was missing so many precious moments I would never get back.

How did you decide that you were ready for a career
change?
Austin was being cared for by family for about 8 months while we were at work and it was time to find daycare.  As I visited several daycare facilities and family home daycares I was disappointed with the quality of care and facilities. I was at a crossroads, I was unhappy at work, I did not want to leave Austin in daycare, and the daycare facilities were expensive and unimpressive. I decided I could open my own family home daycare and that would allow me to work and be at home with Austin.
I gave my notice and spent a couple months putting together my new business – it ended up being a successful business for five years and a lot of fun!

As a single parent, how do you manage to work, go to
school and stay involved in your children's schools?
Time management is huge. I schedule my classes so that I can take the kids to school and study before my classes begin. Most days I am able to pick them up from school. I work a very early shift on the weekends and I find volunteer activities at the schools that are things I like to do.
 Since I love to do arts and crafts, I took on the co-chair position of the holiday craft faire (a great school volunteer job where I could also involve my kids).  I always sign up to be the room mom - it is fairly simple and a good way to get to know your child's  teacher.  Anything that serves a double purpose is a plus!

Finally, I do not waste time on getting worked up over too much -  a  clear mind and a calm mind creates the best results.

Are you able to carve out any "self" time?  If yes,
how?
The hardest thing to do is to think about you and make time for yourself. This is when I rely on my support group. Everyone needs a support group, people you can talk to and people that can help you with the children when needed. Sometimes a half an hour of girl talk over a cup of coffee does the trick, sometimes I just need to escape into a book, and my favorite "me" time is a bikram yoga class or a good hike.

What is your biggest work/life challenge?
As well as I feel I manage my time, I always feel like there are not enough hours in a day.

What do you feel is the greatest (non-monetary) upside
of working out of the home (and/or going to school)
while also being a mom?
It makes me happy and my children will benefit from that.

Any advice to share with other mothers considering a
career transition or returning to school?
Go for it! What do you have to lose? What I hear most from people I come across is "I don't know how you do it?" "I wish I could do what you're doing."

Why can't you follow a dream or try something new?  Life is always moving forward and changing.  I always tell my children that "there is one thing you can always count on in life and that is change, there will always be change, don't be afraid of it. "