Everyone started telling me that I have Become a Working – Parent after the birth of my first child. I realized that the phrase was a lie very early into parenthood,! It was put together in the reverse!
As soon as I decided to bring a new life into this world, I became a parent (who also happened to be working) – so actually I was now a ‘parent – working’. Within the same thought process, I figured that from hereon my primary identity would be that of a parent first. Ever since, without any regrets, I have been a parent – shopping, parent – napping, parent – teaching, parent – fighting, parent – banking, parent – driving, parent – sleeping, parent – negotiating, parent – cooking, parent – organizing, parent – traveling, parent – this … and parent – that! Come to think of it, parenting is the single most important role that determines the quality of our future citizens, how can we make it a part-time job!
And considering that it is indeed a full-time occupation, wonder how come our mere ability to procreate, makes us eligible for the job! Radhika Vaz’s article, Rotten Apples says it well – “I think that prospective parents should be subject to a written exam followed with an interview to assess their abilities to raise a responsible next generation…” Till such time, ask yourself if you are still a working – parent?
