Put Parent Guilt To Rest

I often struggle with this, and I am sure many other highly driven career-oriented parents do too: Parent’s guilt. 

Am I doing enough for my kids? 

Am I being a great parent? 

What makes a great parent?

Do my kids understand my work, passion, and drive or does it appear selfish?

What are they going to remember?

Those thoughts come to mind here and there, especially during my busy seasons and long days. I don’t believe in balance, but more a counterbalance of life and work commitments. 

I stumbled across those words from my recent read “The Heart of the Champion” by Donene Taylor, and it settled my doubts to rest. It was soothing to my troubled soul. It offered a new and much healthier perspective.

I think any parent that is highly passionate about accomplishing their goals will resonate with this statement and be highly encouraged!

Here it is:

“Your kids need to see you do what you love. They need to see you run down your dream, be passionate about life and work for what you want. You cannot teach them that, they need to see it. You would do them a disservice if you didn’t run down your dream.” 

Of course, time can’t be taken back, and this can be the counter argument. But what matters more? The duration of time you are around kids or being present while you are with them and being intentional about having quality time together? Is it better for them watching you crush your dreams, build a legacy and see what it takes to do those things—or see you aging/ dying with regrets of not doing what you dreamed of doing?

For me, the choice is clear.

What are your thoughts? Please share!