Working parent guilty of not being able to nurture skills in your children? Here is our learning…

“Atrocity”, a novel authored by our 10th grader was made available to readers worldwide on the 18th of October 2019. A memorable and proud moment for us parents! This is Ann’s second book following "The Troubadour’s Collection" that was published in her 7th grade.

Wishes keep pouring in and many readers congratulate Alex and I for raising an author child. The candid truth is that we ‘let her be’ and learnt to observe what she is passionate about … to sense early indications of the author in our child. This was wisdom that we learnt overcoming several guilt-pangs, of not being effective integrator of work and life.

Guilt-pangs that stopped us from seeing what the child is trying to express through the scribbling on the wall,  by dissecting that little toy, by trying to rip apart a book to see if the picture has the real object underneath it!! … because whenever we see this our mind goes “ OH MY, because we were not around to care for the child …, …, … ”

Guilt bogging you down? Ask your children what they feel!

As working parents we would very often go into a whirl of guilt that we are not able to spend enough time with our kids. And that radiates in how we react to situations at home. In one such scenario, little Ann wrote this note to Alex and I which not only erased guilt from us but also taught us a lesson that our kids are great observers … if we are doing our best to give them quality time they resonate with our intentions without us having to justify!

Guilty of not integrating work with life? Handle it … don’t transfer it!

As I read Atrocity, the characters display strong attributes of faith, independence, courage, will, reconciliation, passion and determination. A great reflection of the author’s fighter spirit.  Ann is self-made gathering insights from all around her and if any, as a working mom I have played a role in shaping her belief to an extent. Looking back, I am glad that I did not quit  when guilt overtook my rationale of clear thinking … I would have then just transferred guilt from one pocket to another leaving my children to believe that it is okay to succumb to guilt and not handle it.

The next time you feel a guilt-pang on parenting, probably worth talking to your children and know that you are not alone ...  you will see your own unique solution evolve to handle it!

Would love to hear your experiences. 

HAPPY PARENTING! ALL THE BEST WITH WORK LIFE INTEGRATION!!

References

https://www.amazon.com/dp/9353476763 

https://theannalexander.com/

The Troubadours Collection

https://www.amazon.com/Troubadours-Collection-Wander-World-Words-ebook/dp/B06Y142S2L/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+troubadours+collection+ann&qid=1572072506&sr=8-1