Meet Regina Martinez | Mother & Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Regina Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Regina, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’ve worked since I was 17 years old. Having an income has always been extremely important to me as I have always had to help my family financially growing up. I was extremely blessed to have close family help when I had my first born at a young age. This allowed me to continue working a full time job to provide for my child. I was grateful enough to have management be extremely flexible with me, that not only allowed me to make a good portion of my own schedule but also attend every event my child had during school hours. During the first few years of working, I was able to manage the workload and home life just fine as it was then easier to accommodate. As I progressed in my career and started accepting jobs in higher career fields, things did tend to get a bit more difficult with wondering how I was going to manage being a mother, wife and employee. Once my second child was born and I aged, I worried that I wouldn’t have the option of be as flexible as I had been. Five months after he was born, I decided to go back to work, but chose something fun and part time. Something I would enjoy and not be away from my children so long. However, I received many job offers that I was able to utilize my skill set and my education. My then employer was amazing and understood that my resume was far more skilled than I was getting paid for. I did decide it was my time to grow into a career I would excel at and so I did.

The years after that last part time position I held, I continued to up my career and enjoyed the things I was accomplishing. I was still able to maintain the time to make it to my oldest child’s school events, or my youngest doctors appointments and even my husbands military awards ceremonies. I had no complaints as it was easy. I had great relationships with management that allowed my work-life balance to uncomplicated.

Now I’ve been blessed with great employers and management. Being a wife to an active duty military individual and a mother to two very active children, it can be very difficult to manage the work-life situation. I’ve always had it under control until recently. I never had to think about what I would do, or who would be available for my children until my latest position working for a university.
I finally had to contemplate what was more important to me. I was overworked, stressed and constantly worrying that I could possibly miss the most important times of my children’s lives.

My husband has been a service member for 8 years now and has missed quite a bit of both of our children’s lives, just like any other military service member. It isn’t easy but as a parent we have to pick up the absence when they are away for trainings, schools, deployments, etc. I was recently released of my position of 2 years because I did not attend an out of state conference. This conference would have had me gone for an entire week. The same week my husband would be gone for training with no service nor ability to be home daily/nightly. I could not imagine both parents being gone for an entire week after one of them is gone constantly. Personally, my kids would be devastated.

I knew what I had to do and that was to not attend and be there for my kids. As I was released due to my previous employer not wanting to make an exception- as they put it, “we would need to make an exception for everyone else who chooses not to go”, i still stand by what I failed to do.

As I go back and forth about finding employment again, the most important thing for myself is taking into consideration that work/life balance along with employers who understand this lifestyle. Not just the lifestyle I live, but the importance of being a parent and having your children who are our life, come first.

I cannot stress enough how important it is have that work/life balance. An understanding that no matter how hard one works, the most important work is done at home. You are building and empire through your family. And for one to assist a company is building their brand empire, one must build their own first. I hope this is helpful and encouraging for all, if not most. I hope this allows the readers to think about themselves and their families first. Your personal life, mental health and those you spend every day with matter.
Thank you for reading and I hope to continue writing more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The past 6 years I had worked in higher education, assisting adult learners- specifically military members and dependents continue their education through guidance of life goals and degree completion. I’ve loved what I did and was extremely great at it. I worked hard to grow within that career field but it was never my end goal. It definitely was not easy getting there, I marketed myself constantly and networked. Today, I am unplowed. This has been a recent change within the last 2 weeks, but I know where I want to go. I wish to continue to write and inspire others all while working on my teaching license. It will never be easy to get to where one wants to go but it should always be rewarding.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado state is beautiful, some of the best places are outdoors. If the weather cooperates, Garden of the Gods would be first on the list. Manitou Springs will always be a must as it include a cute outdoor setting, great small owned restaurants and a lot of history. A couple days in an AirBnB out in the mountains will be needed to enjoy nature as much as possible along with the so many amazing breweries in Breckinridge, the week would then end with catching a couple sporting events in Denver, my family and I are huge sports fans and want to catch as many Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche and Broncos games as our time here allows us to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The recognition will always go to my family. My children and my husband who are so supportive of every decision I make.

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/thehotmessbrunette

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-martinez-8b4b77172

Image Credits
@stephmaciasphoto