Thank you for another piece that gives perspective, insight, and helpful suggestions.
"Grades, test scores, talent shows, auditions, and sports try-outs are just a few of the hurdles that loom"
These can be markers of external achievement and status. Our culture heavily promotes these. And anyone learning to swim in this societal ocean can see them as the "correct" way to proceed, especially when trying to learn how to do the best for our kids. For 13 years I was a full-time dad and while I cannot hold the complete perspective of female caregivers, there is some overlap. I sensed and observed much of what you write about here (without entirely understanding it in a larger context, at the time). I was never fully subscribed to that pervasive pressure to show external "success" via my kids, yet I still felt it. Appreciate very much you offering ways for mothers to be kinder to themselves.
Thank you for another piece that gives perspective, insight, and helpful suggestions.
"Grades, test scores, talent shows, auditions, and sports try-outs are just a few of the hurdles that loom"
These can be markers of external achievement and status. Our culture heavily promotes these. And anyone learning to swim in this societal ocean can see them as the "correct" way to proceed, especially when trying to learn how to do the best for our kids. For 13 years I was a full-time dad and while I cannot hold the complete perspective of female caregivers, there is some overlap. I sensed and observed much of what you write about here (without entirely understanding it in a larger context, at the time). I was never fully subscribed to that pervasive pressure to show external "success" via my kids, yet I still felt it. Appreciate very much you offering ways for mothers to be kinder to themselves.
Thank you so much, Eric. As a full-time dad, I think you can join the club, haha. You know what this is like.
Great points about the achievement hurdles parents often subscribe to and how problematic those can be for both the parents and the children.
Thanks for the gentle reminders and encouragement to cultivate self-compassion, Gail! I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day.
Thank you, Lori. I hope your Mother's Day was wonderful.