Carmen; "Victorious Mom"

Meet Carmen Casto

 

     I met Carmen in October of 2013, when our husbands, who work together, took us to an Ohio State football game. As we spent several hours cheering on our team, in the end, they were VICTORIOUS! On that day, I realized I had met a mom who truly inspired me. She explained how her life had completely changed in the last year when she returned to work after being a stay-at-home mom for so long.

     She is married and the mother of three children, ages 14, 13, and 11. She told me the most enjoyable thing about being a mom is watching her children grow into compassionate, caring and loving young people. She also stated the most challenging thing is balancing a career and being a mom.
     When I decided to start this blog, she was one of the first Moms that came to mind to share her story with other Moms.
 

Here is Carmen’s story about returning to work after being a stay-at-home mom and learning that her children, her husband and herself will win, in the end!

 I married my high school sweetheart, Aaron in 1997. We had our first child, Aly in 1999; our son Garrett in 2001; and our third child, daughter Annalese in 2002.  Yes, three babies in four years.  Aaron was building his career and worked seven days a week and very long hours.  I had no choice but to stay at home with our small children. It was an extreme blessing to have this time with my children but it also meant putting my own career on hold.  For eleven years, I was a stay-at-home mom. I truly loved being home with my kids but I worried that if anything happened to my husband, I wouldn’t have the means to take care of my children on my own.  So one year ago, I decided to take on a full-time clinical manager position. Although I knew going into it, that it would require a lot of time away from home but my thoughts were that the kids are a little older, so this can't be that hard or could it?

     The question I continued to ask myself was, "How do I give 100% to a career and continue to give 100% to my family?" That has been my biggest challenge since returning to the work. If I am being completely honest to all of you other moms who might be thinking the same thing, I have yet to master that.  When work is going well, I feel like a failure at home.

      Returning to work has not only has been a transition for myself, but for my husband and our children.  The kids were able to call me anytime with something as simple as, “Hey mom, I forgot my lunch, can you bring it to school?"  When I was a stay-at-home mom, that was a simple task, but now that I am working full time, my reply is, “Sorry, I guess you will buy the school lunch.” For my husband, he had to learn his supper was not going to be on the table when he walked in the door.  The house was definitely not picked up like it had been in the past. I asked myself, "Who has time for all of this?"
     Over this last year, everyone in our family has learned to do their part.  My children have become very independent and my husband has learned to cook quite well.
     However, I still have days of extreme guilt.  When the kids are sick and I am unable to stay at home and nurse them back to health, it is extremely hard adjusting to that. Some days, I am so exhausted that I just want some ‘me’ time. It really is a balancing act!
     Somehow it has all worked out over this past last year and will only continue to get better.  My family works well as a team.  I am also lucky to have an amazing family support system that helps when needed.  I definitely would not be successful without each person that I have on my team and for that ... Team Casto will be VICTORIOUS!

"Being a Mom and so much more!"