Stethoscopes and School Runs: Adventures in Vet Parenthood

The alarm clock goes off at 6:00 AM. I hit snooze once (okay, maybe twice) before the sound of tiny feet padding down the hallway jolts me fully awake. “Mommy, Sparkles threw up on the rug!” my six-year-old daughter announces, her face a mix of worry and disgust.

And so begins another day in the life of a veterinarian and mom to two elementary-aged kids. Before I even have a chance to contemplate the mysteries of Sparkles' upset stomach (did she eat too many cat treats again?), I’m juggling breakfast, school lunches, permission slips, and the nagging feeling that I’m forgetting something crucial. Oh right, the dog needs to go out, the cat needs feeding, and I have a surgery scheduled at 9:00 AM sharp.

If this sounds even remotely familiar, then welcome to the club! Being a vet parent is a unique blend of chaos, compassion, and constant coffee refills. It’s a world of early mornings, late nights, and the ever-present possibility of a phone call that throws your carefully constructed schedule into disarray.

The Juggle is Real

Let’s be honest, being a veterinarian is demanding enough on its own. Add in the joys and challenges of parenting young children, and things can get, shall we say, interesting. The long and unpredictable hours are probably the biggest hurdle. Emergencies don’t care if it’s your child’s school play or your family movie night. And while most clients are understanding, there’s always that lingering guilt about missing out on those precious moments.

Then there’s the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the territory. As vets, we experience the highs of healing and the heartbreaks of loss, sometimes all in the same day. It can be tough to compartmentalize those emotions, especially when you come home to little ones who need your attention and energy. Explaining to a five-year-old why you’re sad because “Fluffy the cat went to sleep forever” is a conversation no parenting book prepares you for. But, maybe they should! 

Finding reliable childcare that aligns with the demands of a veterinary schedule is another ongoing saga. Not many babysitters are thrilled with the prospect of 6:00 AM starts or last-minute cancellations due to emergency surgeries. And let’s not even get started on the challenges of finding backup care when your child wakes up with a fever and your clinic is already short-staffed. Do we bite the bullet and bring our kids with us, germs and all? Sometimes it feels like there is no right answer!

Unexpected Perks (Yes, There Are Some!)

Before you start questioning your life choices, let me assure you that being a vet parent also has its perks. For starters, we have a unique understanding of animal behavior that can translate surprisingly well to parenting. Patience, observation, and the ability to interpret subtle cues are skills we hone every day in our work, and they come in handy when deciphering a toddler’s tantrum or a grumpy pre-teen’s mood swings.

Our kids also get a front-row seat to the wonders of the animal world. They grow up surrounded by pets, learning compassion and respect for all creatures great and small. Show-and-tell at school suddenly becomes a lot more interesting when you can bring in X-rays of a dog who swallowed a squeaky toy or recount the time you helped a bird with a broken wing.

And let’s not forget the cool factor. Being a veterinarian is pretty awesome in the eyes of most elementary school kids. You’re the real-life Dr. Doolittle, the one who can talk to animals and fix their boo-boos. That kind of street cred goes a long way on the playground. And forget about it if you can sew up their favorite stuffies: Congrats, you’re now a legend!

Survival Tips from the Trenches

So, how do we navigate the demands of vet med and parenthood without completely losing our minds? Here are a few survival tips I’ve picked up along the way:

• Embrace the Power of Organization: A well-placed calendar, a color-coded planner, and a reliable system for tracking appointments and school events are your best friends. Apps like Hearth and Skylight have been game changers for our family!
• Build Your Village: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. – from your partner, family, friends, and even trusted colleagues. Now that your kids are making friends, don’t hesitate to chat with the other parents at school events! You may find a friend or at least additional support and commiseration. Maybe just wait to tell them that you’re a vet until they have also been thoroughly vetted ;) 
• Set Boundaries (and Stick to Them): Create dedicated family time where work is off-limits. Put away the phone, close the laptop, and be present with your loved ones.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Even 15 minutes of “me time” can make a world of difference. Whether it’s a quick workout, a relaxing bath, or simply curling up with a good book, find something that helps you recharge.
• Involve Your Kids (When Appropriate): Depending on their age, you can find ways to share your work with your children. Let them shadow you at the clinic (within reason), participate in career day at school, or even just talk to them about your day and the animals you helped.
• It’s OK to Brag! Lead by example and let your family see you as the successful, talented baddy that you are! Make sure to explain your “why” too - why you are happy, sad, or why you love your job! It’s never too early to teach our kids that having a family and pursuing our career dreams are not mutually exclusive! 

Tech to the Rescue!

In this age of technology, we have a wealth of apps, devices, and online resources that can help us stay connected and organized. Shared family calendars keep everyone on the same page, while online grocery delivery services save precious time and sanity. Educational apps and games can entertain and engage kids during those long waits at the clinic, and video calls with family and friends help us stay connected when we’re stuck at work late. Technology can’t solve all of our challenges, but it can certainly make the juggle a little bit easier. 

Streamlining the Workday with Shepherd

Speaking of technology, I have to give a shout-out to my practice’s secret weapon: Shepherd Veterinary Software. This intuitive platform helps us manage everything from appointments and medical records to billing and inventory, all in one place. By streamlining our workflow and reducing those dreaded administrative tasks, Shepherd actually helps us get home to our families sooner. And that, my friends, is a win-win for everyone!

Being a vet parent is undoubtedly a wild ride. It’s messy, exhausting, and often unpredictable. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. We get to pursue a career we love while raising the next generation of compassionate animal lovers. And at the end of the day, when we finally collapse on the couch, surrounded by our human and furry family members, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.