Balancing profession and family: Dad the educator

Dear fellow Steemians,

OCtechdad here!

This is my “introduceyourself” to the rest of the Steemit community. I am a husband, a dad and an educator.

I have always been fascinated by how nature works. My curiosity to understand the underlying “rules” of nature led me to earn a doctoral degree in Physics and soon afterwards, an opportunity to become a full-time researcher in an exciting yet demanding area in technology, accelerator science.

But you know, life is full of surprises, and it was the same time when my son, then 4 months got really sick with a kidney disease. With my little one hospitalized most of the time, I was in no way to commit or focus on a demanding research career. I said goodbye to that, packed our bags and move to California because of better pediatric medical facilities and much better weather than in Midwest. However, of all things, I wasn't prepared for the HIGH living cost in California, thus in order to meet ends, I taught as a part-time professor at several community colleges. Teaching was fulfilling to me, most importantly it gave me the chance to get involved in a field I really loved, while helping others (especially young people) to get hooked up with science and technology. But to become an enthusiastic, engaging teacher, who can empower students, one has to put time and effort, and where does that time come from? For me it came from the time and energy I reserved for my family. Yet another turning point for me, to think more carefully about balancing life and work. ….

Fast forward to 2017, my son is 3 years, got over his kidney issues but is going through a very agonizing period of GERD ( Gastroesophageal reflux disease ) which is causing him food aversion and failure to thrive. Our time is spent more at occupational therapy, GI specialists, labs etc. It is straining all of us but as parents both of us are very confident that our son will pull it off too.
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My son is passing an age where a child needs most attention and caring. Time spend with him to teach how to count, draw, write, play is simply priceless and the best opportunity for me to build a strong relationship with him. Sometimes I wish I had all the time in the world to spend with my son and my wife, yet is it doable with the rat race we all are compelled to run ? Anyway, very recently I made the decision to work from home doing the two things I love most, be with my family and write about science in order to motivate and empower our next generation.

So here I am on the world's premier blockchain based social media platform, planning to share my experiences and interests with the rest of the Steemit community. I think, Steemit is a unique platform for free speech, human growth and development, a community to nurture and groom the next generation of superheroes and leaders that will revolutionize our world.

Let us unit, and work for a better future for all...

Catch you guys soon!