West Chester resident Mara O’Rourke is a labor and delivery nurse who makes it a priority to make time for intentional fun and live a well-balanced life. At home, life is shared with husband, Michael, and their two girls, Raegan (5) and Lana (18 months). Mara Rourke and her family make core memories down at the shore each summer and find joy in the small moments year-round — like dancing to Motown oldies in the kitchen.
You spend your days supporting families at the very start of their journeys. How has your work as a labor and delivery nurse shaped the way you experienced pregnancy, birth and early motherhood with your own daughters?
Due to my career, I was well aware of what I could encounter during pregnancy and labor. All that knowledge made my pregnancy a tad more anxiety-ridden, but I still loved being in that phase. When it came to the actual labor, I was happy to know what to expect and was cautiously optimistic through it all. My job is to take care of women and babies. When it comes to motherhood, I think my job gave me some blind confidence. I realized quickly that taking care of my own babies and loving them came naturally.
You’re raising a 5-year-old and a 18-month-old — two very different stages. What does balance look like for you right now?
Luckily, my 5-year-old wants to show us her independence right now. Our getting-ready-for-the-day routine is a lot of her saying, “I can do it myself.” This is bittersweet, but also helpful because our 18-month-old is at the daredevil stage. She wants to go down the steps like an adult but absolutely cannot. She puts large amounts of food in her mouth and looks at me smiling, knowing she shouldn’t have. The 5-year-old wants me to play with her, but the 18-month-old needs to be watched. It can be very hard, but I try to vocalize if I feel torn or overwhelmed. I allow both to have my attention at different times and encourage us all to play together whenever I can.
Music seems to be a big part of your family’s life. Do your girls already have favorite songs or artists?
When my husband and I first met, we realized we both loved oldies and Motown music, so we would follow DJs who played the oldies. Now, most mornings we listen to 60s Gold on SiriusXM or our Golden Oldies playlist. We also like 70s-era music or current jams that [get] us all moving. Raegan loves “See You When I Git There” by Lou Rawls, and Lana will cry until I put on ABBA’s “Voulez Vous” or Taylor Swift’s new album.
Community seems quite important to you and your husband. How do you make time for one another while raising little ones?
Life gets busy with work and schedules, so it can be challenging to make space for adult connection. Some months, scheduling a date night can be difficult. We’ll tell friends we’ll hang out soon, but after looking at the calendar, we have to plan two or even three months out. Luckily, my friends do make spending time with us a priority. We’ve done dinners at each other’s homes, and we go out for drinks whenever we can manage it. My husband and I are both lucky to have wonderful parents who are always willing to babysit if needed.
Between your demanding career and busy family life, what’s one piece of advice you’d offer to new or expecting parents — especially those navigating parenthood while working in high-pressure professions?
Be honest with how you’re feeling and communicate that with your spouse/partner/support person. The first year of parenthood is hard, both emotionally and physically. You go back to work and life is still swirling around. Discuss how you’re feeling, and you’d be surprised to find out you aren’t alone.
Family Favorites
Weekend Activity: Spending time outside (weather permitting) at Chester County parks
Family Movie: Disney’s “Tangled”
Family Restaurant: DK Diner (West Chester, PA)
Date Night Spot: Bierhaul Farmhouse (Thornton, PA)
Carrie Woodard is a proud Pittsburgh mama of two. A Temple University graduate, she has a deep love for Philadelphia and is excited to highlight the stories of Philly-area parents who are making a difference in their communities.
