Meet Riley: Balancing Career, Military Life & Special Needs Parenting

The Crossroads: Choosing Family First in a Demanding Career

Riley wears many hats—pediatric nurse practitioner, military spouse, and mom of a special needs child.

Her life is anything but predictable.

✔ Her husband’s active-duty schedule means constant adjustments.
✔ Afternoons are filled with tutoring, doctor’s appointments, and sports practices.
✔ She wants to contribute financially but also be the consistent, present parent her kids need.

"For military families, having one parent as ‘home base’ has always been important to us. We wanted our kids to feel like they always had a parent they could reach, no matter what."

To make that possible, Riley made a shift—stepping back from full-time work and moving to weekends.

"Right now, what works for us is me working weekends so I can be home during the week."

It’s not the traditional career path, but it’s the right one for her family right now.

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The Challenges: Finding Balance as a Military Family

• Providing Financially While Staying Present
  "I want to contribute more financially, but I also don’t want to miss these years with my kids."
• Navigating an Unpredictable Military Schedule
  With an active-duty spouse, flexibility isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
• The Lack of Truly Flexible Work Options for Parents
  "I would love to find a company willing to use my experience and knowledge with a flexible 9 AM - 1 PM schedule. Companies would accomplish so much in those hours with hardworking moms."

She sees firsthand how many employees leave work in the afternoon for childcare, doctor’s appointments, and school events—proving that full-time, traditional work schedules don’t fit the reality of working parents.

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What Worked (and What She’d Do Differently)

✔ Letting Go of Traditional Career Expectations
"For now, stepping back and working weekends is what allows us to have the balance we need."

✔ Prioritizing What Matters Most in This Season of Life
She made peace with not “having it all” right now—because what she has is what’s most important.

Would she do anything differently?For now, no—but she hopes more companies will see the value of truly flexible schedules for working parents.

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Riley’s Advice: You Will Never Get These Years Back

✔ Follow Your Heart, Not What’s Expected.
"I’ve worked for corporations where my nanny knew my kids better than I did. I knew that wasn’t what life was supposed to be."

✔ Be Honest About What You’re Willing to Trade.
"I used to spend hours charting at night, missing school activities and soccer games. I felt completely disconnected from my kids, and I knew something had to change."

✔ The Right Path is the One That Feels Right for You.
"Do what your heart desires. These years go fast, and you won’t get them back."

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Riley’s Both& Moment: A Different Kind of Career Success

Riley’s story proves that career success isn’t just about promotions and paychecks—it’s about designing a life that aligns with your values.

✔ She learned she could be both a skilled professional and the stable parent her kids needed.
✔ She found a way to be both present for her family and contribute financially.
✔ She realized career fulfillment isn’t always about climbing the ladder—sometimes, it’s about creating a life that feels right.

This wasn’t about giving up on ambition.
It was about choosing balance over burnout.