Can We Stop Apologising for Our Kids and Our Role as Parents?
Can we stop apologizing for our kids and what we can—or can’t—achieve because we hold the role of mother or parent?
A few years ago, I found myself in a situation where I had two young kids who were often unwell. Both had asthma and frequent chest infections. This meant I had to cancel or reschedule work and social outings regularly. I felt weak, as if my children were holding me back.
Then something shifted in me as I realised I could keep apologising for things out of my control. I realized my children and my family were not my weakness; they were my strength. It’s because of them that I am a better Occupational Therapist—and a better person in general. My family is the foundation of my strength.
With this shift in perspective, I made a conscious decision to stop apologizing for not being available. I couldn’t keep apologizing for where I was in life or the things out of my control. The conversation changed from, “I’m so sorry I can’t do that right now,” to “I’m not available at the moment, but how about later?”
That shift in mindset brought a transformation in my energy. I went from a place of regret and feeling stuck, to one of hopefulness and forward movement. I also went from feeling like I needed to apologise for my life and where things were at, to a place of feeling more in control, because I wasn’t apologising all the time, even though the reality of the situation had not changed.
What about you? Do you still find yourself apologizing for your life circumstances, or have you removed “sorry” from your vocabulary as well? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.