The Chatbot Parent

The greatest dilemma of every working parent, regardless of gender, is not spending enough time with our children. Mine needs constant reassurance on an hourly and daily basis. "Maaamaa, do you love me?" "Maaamaaa, do you hate me?" I answer at lightning speed like an AI-generated chatbot.

Post-bath-time, soaking-wet hugs? Immediately accepted. Smelly early-morning baby breath along with "Lie down right now!" Immediately accepted. Post-school mindless screen time for half an hour along with body-crushing slam-hugs? Accepted. 

And that’s all we can do as working parents.

There’s no point feeling guilty. When they grow up, they’ll have to fend for their families too, and then they’ll realize why maaamaa or daddy had to stay glued to their laptops. 

Do I feel the guilt of prioritizing work more than juggling school homework on working days? Yes. Do I feel the guilt of not having longer playtime and cycling time on working days? Yes. But that does not mean I’ll stop doing whatever I’m doing which brings food to our table.

So when I hear the occasional, "Ufff maaamaa, you’re always working" or "You love your laptop more than me," I don’t even blink or bother to respond. I’m doing the best that I can, just like any other hassled working parent. 

So let’s not feel the guilt or the shame of prioritizing a bright future for our children and opening doors for them—doors which they will have the opportunities to open if they choose to when they’re 18+.

On that note, it’s Friday. Let’s hope to quickly shut down and run into the weekend, with and without our kids. Peace!