Lexi Hagenson | A Mostly Stay At Home Mother On A One Day Work Week
by Neha Ruch
Lexi Hagenson has a loyal following to her practice in Chicago. She brings her calm, nurturing and intellectual demeanor to treatments as an acupuncturist and holistic nutritionist, a path she came to organically while studying psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and gravitating to anthropology and then eastern medicine as a path to natural healing. After having her daughter Rikki, now two, Lexi, like so many of us felt a natural pull and energy for parenting in these early years. I love Lexi's confident take on embracing being a "mostly stay at home mother" while giving herself one day a week to stay healthy and connected to her work.
How did you change after becoming a mother?
I have become extremely productive and efficient with the hours of the day since becoming a mother. I used to be able to read magazines for hours. Now I get so much done in the day while still being able to dedicate a little bit of “me time.” Also, I am big on early dinners now! I love the cozy family home life, and I need to be in bed early!
What choices did you make to accommodate motherhood? Would you make them again?
I dialed back working as an acupuncturist to just one day a week, so I can mostly be a stay at home mom. I love having a work day each week to immerse myself in my practice, stay connected in the field of health and Chinese medicine and step away from all the Mom responsibilities. That being said, what I enjoy doing most is being the person in charge of my little girl- cooking for and feeding her, taking her to different classes and activities and seeing that she is growing to be a kind, smart little person. I'm so fortunate to have had the option to work a little and still spend most of my days raising my daughter, and I would 100% make the same decision again.
Describe yourself as a mother in 3 words. What kind of mother would you like to be?
As a mother I am energetic (need lots of fun stuff to do), present and sooooo loving. I could kiss my daughter a thousand times in a row. I want to be the kind of mother who sets boundaries for my kids but lets them learn and experience on their own too. Boundaries give them security, but I think they need to figure a lot of stuff out on their own.
How do you take care of yourself outside of motherhood?
I love yoga and megaformer workouts a few times a week. The yoga is incredibly therapeutic and refreshing, and the megaformer classes are so difficult that they keep me feeling strong. And I buy healthy and delicious groceries for snacks and homemade meals. I also love getting acupuncture and the occasional massage.
Every mother needs help to find balance. What does your village look like?
My mom comes over to babysit once a week. It is so helpful to me plus she adores the time spent with Rik. My husband is a very hands-on dad, so when he's home, he is actively playing with Rikki and helping out. And I have a great sitter who I trust so much. I couldn't be the mom I am without this help.
What are you working on improving about yourself as a woman & a mother?
Being more compassionate to my first baby, my Boston terroir Asia!! Since having Rikki, Asia has taken a backseat and could use a lot more attention and love from me. And also biting the bullet and finally going away on vacation alone with my husband (we haven’t in 2 years!). We need a carefree trip much like the ones we used to take while we were dating and newlyweds, and sleeping in would be heavenly!
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