Doing Locums with Young Kids: Why You Don’t Have to Wait
January 14, 2026
When I first left employed practice in 2022, my son had just turned two and I was a few weeks pregnant with my daughter. I didn’t have a backup plan or even a contract in hand — just a vision: I’d figure it out with locums.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was about to give myself a kind of freedom I’d never known in medicine… all while raising two tiny humans.
So if you’ve been eyeing locums but thinking, “I’ll wait until the kids are older,” — I want to offer a different perspective.
Because younger might actually be easier.
The Myth of “They Need Me 24/7”
Let me say this clearly: babies need love, routine, and safe caregivers — not constant proximity to you.
Yes, you’re their mother. Yes, you matter. But being away for a day or even a week, when they’re cared for by trusted people, is not damaging. It’s not abandonment. It’s not selfish.
And no — they won’t remember. But they will benefit from a more grounded, present, and supported version of you.
What Made It Work (For Me)
Here’s what helped us thrive during those early locums years:
Daycare + evening nanny: We had a rhythm that supported our family, not just me.
My husband was home or had flexible work: He wasn’t “helping.” He was parenting.
Short, local shifts only: I chose well-paying sites within driving distance (even if it meant a 4-hour commute).
Minimal time away: 24-hour shifts, then home. I wasn’t gone for weeks.
No full-time locums: I didn’t try to replace a full-time income. This was about freedom, not burnout 2.0.
Pumping, Traveling, and Making It Happen
Was it hard? Yes. But not impossible.
I pumped during call, stored milk in staff fridges or freezers, and drove home with coolers full of breastmilk. When I traveled out of state, I brought my Yeti cooler, booked hotels with full kitchens, and carried printed TSA guidelines.
It wasn’t glamorous — but it was doable. And it kept me connected to both my work and my family.
Presence > Proximity
Let’s be honest: I was physically home more during locums than I ever was as an employed OB/GYN. No 12-hour calls. No commuting while the kids were asleep. No crying in the car after a terrible shift.
When I was home, I was actually home. And my kids felt that.
The Real Question Isn’t “Can I?”
It’s: What kind of support would make this sustainable for me?
Because doing locums with young kids doesn’t work if you’re trying to do it all alone. But if you have — or are willing to build — real support at home, it might give you more than just a paycheck. It might give you your life back.
Give Yourself (and Your Family) the Gift of Your Freedom
One of the most overlooked benefits of locums? Your partner learns to step up. Your kids build secure relationships with other caregivers. You model what it looks like to choose alignment over obligation.
And you — you get to remember who you are outside of being “Mom” and “Doctor.”
If you’re holding back because the baby is still small, I hope this shows you a different possibility.
You don’t have to wait. You just have to decide what support you need — and give yourself permission to say yes.
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