Part-time Parenting

I was brought up in a boarding school by strangers. The sense of abandonment I felt as a child then has never left me all my life. I am still searching for emotional security and know that it is beyond me in this lifetime. I have two sons, ages 16 and 10. A couple of years ago I tried working at an organization, full time, while my parents took care of the needs of my children. This did not work out because I felt guilty when I did not take care of the daily needs of my children. I felt that I was shirking my responsibility. I also realized that my sons felt abandoned when they reacted negatively by becoming aggressive in their behavior. They also fell back in their studies. My younger son took refuge in overeating. His obesity is a price we are paying because he needed to substitute food for love. And I do know that motivation so well!

In the final analysis - a career just did not seem worth the emotional price I and my family were paying. I quit my job and currently do freelance work that enables me to be a full time mother while keeping my skills intact. Though there are times I regret that I had to forgo a career, I am convinced that my being at hand for my children has reassured them that they can bank on me to be always be there for them. Sharing the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat; sharing the triumphs and failures; having shared experiences and dreams has made us a cohesive family. Maybe the strength that my children imbibe from this will enable them to achieve their potential in every way. Only time will tell...

Childhood is a time when parenting leaves an indelible mark on the personality of an individual. Part-time parenting is a makeshift arrangement that may not serve the purpose of molding a full-fledged adult, ready to face the challenges of the world. The psychological burden that both parents and children bear as a result of this is reflected in society.

It is my personal experience that people who have not had a fulfilling childhood often do not have the skills to be effective parents. So, when one generation loses on childhood, the next generation loses on many levels. So, let us strive to prevent our children from losing out on their childhood so that our grandchildren will have strong and caring parents to nurture them. This will be our lasting contribution to posterity.