Allow Your Spouse to Dream While You are Fulfilling Yours
Since the day she graduated from college, my wife wanted to get a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. That goal was set aside as we started a family and as I started medical school. She planned to enroll once my training was over and the kids were in school. Then, medical school turned into residency with talk of fellowship and pretty soon Kim’s dreams were to be postponed more than a decade! So when Kim got the urge during my intern year of residency, she enrolled in a Master’s program and by the time I graduated, she had a thriving part-time private practice. Taking classes and later doing an internship were incredibly challenging to juggle with my busy schedule and four kids, but I encouraged it. I wanted to support her dream as she supported mine. And together we made it work. I suspect most resident spouses have postponed some goal or dream in support of his/her spouse’s medical training, whether it be education, a new job, a hobby, children, etc. Medical training is a long time and delaying those dreams too long can lead to resentment, anger and loneliness. Whatever it is, allow your spouse to dream and support him/her anyway you can. {Medical Marriage Tip #6}
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