Leave it to Anil to put parenthood in context : )
Although parenthood is indeed quite hard, especially during the initial adjustment/recovery period, one thing I love about it is the intense focus it provides. Right now, my sole purpose everyday is to make sure I heal, get Tesla to school, take care of Aila, maybe 1 or 2 errands, pick up Tesla, and finally, provide food to all at the end of the day. That's about it (but it keeps me busy!)
With this rather simplified schedule comes an appreciation, at least for me, for details and the passage of time. I am watching Aila grow daily. Instead of thinking about all the stuff that keeps modern life so busy, I am focused on Aila's feeding & sleeping, her beginning smiles & cooing, her eye focus, etc. I feel more connected to the generations of parents before me; no matter what the context, we all must intensely focus on the well-being (and survival) of our newborns, sort of like feeling closer to a basic building block of life.
I am happy I have the choice of expanding my sole purpose by returning to work later, but for now, I love the focus on the small but important milestones I am seeing every day.
Although parenthood is indeed quite hard, especially during the initial adjustment/recovery period, one thing I love about it is the intense focus it provides. Right now, my sole purpose everyday is to make sure I heal, get Tesla to school, take care of Aila, maybe 1 or 2 errands, pick up Tesla, and finally, provide food to all at the end of the day. That's about it (but it keeps me busy!)
With this rather simplified schedule comes an appreciation, at least for me, for details and the passage of time. I am watching Aila grow daily. Instead of thinking about all the stuff that keeps modern life so busy, I am focused on Aila's feeding & sleeping, her beginning smiles & cooing, her eye focus, etc. I feel more connected to the generations of parents before me; no matter what the context, we all must intensely focus on the well-being (and survival) of our newborns, sort of like feeling closer to a basic building block of life.
I am happy I have the choice of expanding my sole purpose by returning to work later, but for now, I love the focus on the small but important milestones I am seeing every day.
I remember the day Harper was born like it was yesterday - and the sense of gratitude I felt towards my own mother after seeing what Arin went through in the delivery room. Ever since, that connection you feel to the generations of parents before you, is something I feel acutely as well. Because each day that passes, I am given a new reason to appreciate those that have played a role in supporting and nurturing me through the ages.
Posted by: Byrne Reese | 06/28/2011 at 04:54 PM
Avoid the urge to mommyblog. Instead share what you've learned from the experience of NOT being able to give 100% to anything anymore. Teach us how you've learned to be okay giving only 80% despite being a Type A personality. Help us understand how to be at peace with being a full time parent, full time spouse, full time employee, feeling like you can't do any job well and constantly disappointed in yourself, especially when you compare yourself to those younger versions of yourself who infect everyone with their constant awesomeness.
My parents survived war, a revolution, forced resettlement, bankruptcy, death, tragedy... and I never once saw them crack or fight. Compared to them, I'm barely at 15%.
Posted by: Nima Badiey | 06/28/2011 at 09:52 PM