Not a whole lot of people outside the veterinary (or medical field period) realize how hard it is to balance real life and work life, especially if you are a mommy, daddy, etc. My daughter is about to turn 3 years old. I've honestly started ANOTHER new job at a new hospital, and I plan on having a party, then right after the party, taking my daughter and boyfriend to Disney world. When I told my new job about my plan to only take 1 day off work to go to Disney world for me, my daughter, and my boyfriend's birthday (lump sum trip since all of our birthdays are in September) I almost got chewed the fuck out! I was very taken back! But, they caved and said no problem, especially when i explained, it was either i take 4 days off (my boyfriend and my anniversary is also in September) or the one day so we could do 1 big celebration at Disney World. It put it in major perspective. I love what I do, I've even decided to go above and beyond that call of duty, and getting some premed prerequesites out of the way so I can possibly go to Vet School in Colorado one day! I take what veterinarians I have worked with, and what they do, how they act, react, policies, etc and am putting them towards how I would make my own practice work when I finally get to that point in my life. Family time and personal time is going to be exceptionally important to me. first and foremost. I plan on finding a way to ensure that every parent on my staff will be able to afford day care. I will also ensure all immediate family birthdays are off, anniversaries, etc. Days of extream importance will have an automatic day off in order of senority of course. and in that way as the following year, alternate. If I decided boarding pets was a possibility, employees board pets for free, and on major holidays, depending on the number of animals staying, rotating staff on holidays (time and a half obviously) or if many pets are staying, all back staff must come in and help. idealistic world huh?