I had my "practice" with being a mom and working full time (and many times more than full time).

One thing I realized fairly quickly is that I am the worst possible mom when I start feeling guilty for not being home enough and the worst possible physician when I start feeling guilty for not dedicating enough time to my work and patients.

I knew that if I want to do both, I have to find the right balance and stop wanting to compensate for what I can't do or for when I am not there.
I also found out that quite surprisingly my sons, my colleagues and even my patients were very understanding once I was at peace with the way I decided to do things. They knew I will be there for them when they need me.

I had times when in the middle of clinic I would apologize to the patient and say that I have an urgent phone call from my son's teacher. And I had times when my son would bring me my cell phone when I was cooking dinner and say-mom, one of your patients is calling.

I had days when I would come home after a very hard day at work and tell my sons that I need some time alone before I can be with them. I had days when I would tell the head of my department that one of my sons has an important event and I will not be at work that day.

So, now it is this illness which is forcing me to find the right balance.