The Hurried Parent
Last night I was blessed to join in a circle of fellow Kindergarten parents to explore the theme of the “hurried parent.” We began by each sharing a recent treasured moment with our child. You could see each parent’s face transform as they described the beauty revealed from those moments of absolute mindful presence with their child.
Me, I found myself reflecting on the routine moments in the day - bath & bedtime, meals, bedtime stories… As a self-employed working mother these are my primary moments with them. I felt sadness as other parents described forest explorations and games, feeling the loss of the hours I am not able to share with them.
In our family we are striving to no longer use the word “busy”, but my life is indeed full. Very full. I’m doing good work, and I know that my boys take pride in what I give to our wider community, and that my work is an integral part of what helps me feel whole. This does not change, however, the sense of loss I feel as a working mother.
As we talked, I thought of these routine moments I share with them, and how beautiful they are. We have our rhythms and rituals, our secrets and treats. I can’t change how full my life is, but I can have both compassion for myself in this delicate balance I strive to maintain, and I can give my whole self to the moments I share with them.
Miss Ruth, the Kindergarten teacher, took me aside this morning and shared words of experience and perspective as a working mother. It is good to know that we are living these full lives within a broader community, and the circle of support is there to both honour where we are, and give us that gentle nudge when we need it.
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