Episode Details

How do you balance a high-performance dental career with being an effective parent?

What strategies help you stay sane amidst the organized chaos of family life?

How can showing up as your best self benefit both your patients and your children?

Dr. Shandy Vijayan and Dr. Raabiha Maan join Jaz in this nonclinical episode to share their experiences of parenthood in dentistry. From the unique perspectives of two dentist-moms and the dad viewpoint, they discuss the real-life challenges of raising children while maintaining personal well-being.

They also share practical tips, book recommendations, and actionable strategies for self-care and emotional regulation—helping you create a balanced family life while thriving in your career.

During the episode, Jaz also mentions KARRI — a fun, screen-free voice messenger that helps kids stay safely connected with parents and friends, without social media or internet access.

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Key Takeaways

• Life comes in “seasons”; early parenting (~0–8 yrs) is intense but temporary.
• Reduce clinical load early to focus on children; career focus increases after ~12 yrs.
• Prioritize time with kids over tasks; coordinated parenting schedules help.
• House help significantly reduces stress, frees energy for quality interactions.
• Support networks (family, in-laws, professional communities) are essential.
• Grandparents: allow flexibility; avoid micromanaging childcare.
• Returning to work: stress, costs (GDC, indemnity, childcare), skill gaps, guilt.
• Dentistry = high-performance + emotional labor; manage energy carefully.
• Quick mental reset between work/home recommended; part-time can boost longevity.
• Parent happiness + strong parental relationship = major factor in kids’ emotional regulation.
• Run family like a small business: systems, schedules, clear roles.
• Self-regulation, EQ, and self-care benefit family, patients, and professional life.

Highlights of this episode:

• 00:00 Teaser
• 01:00 Intro
• 02:50 Shandy’s Story: Juggling Multiple Clinics
• 08:11 Raabiha’s Story: Managing a Practice and Family
• 08:58 Interjection
• 16:03 Raabiha’s Story: Managing a Practice and Family
• 18:17 Life Seasons and Reducing Clinical Commitment
• 21:05 The Value of Help and Support Networks
• 27:00 Financial and Emotional Challenges in Dentistry
• 33:03 Midroll
• 36:22 Financial and Emotional Challenges in Dentistry
• 36:24 Balancing Work and Home Life
• 42:26 Time Management and Setting Boundaries
• 46:51 Self-Care and Emotional Regulation
• 53:53 Upcoming Wellness Event
• 59:01 Final Thoughts and Future Ideas
• 59:49 Outro

Ready to take the next step?

• Check out this great resource for new dentists and trainees: Dentistry in a Nutshell
• Join the community at the Dental Mums Network to connect with dentist‑parents balancing clinical work