Hidden gifts in the missing moments: Connection and other benefits of your choices
"I missed another field trip."
"Everyone thinks the nanny is their mom."
"I don't even know my child's gymnastics coach's name."
Sound familiar? Those ruminations about feeling absent are really painful.
But today, let's look at this differently.
What if you're not giving them less - but giving them more?
How are your children gaining something precious from having a working physician mom? They're learning about delayed gratification, navigating an imperfect world, fostering independence, and developing deep appreciation for the moments spent with you.
Your children are watching you model what it means to create a full, meaningful life - one that includes both self fulfillment and family love. They're seeing firsthand how to develop goals, contribute to society, how to provide for and be with family. Those are gifts you couldn’t give if you were with them 24/7.
Perhaps the real magic isn't in having constant physical presence, but in the connection you grow with them. Maybe asking about their day, truly listening to their stories, and engaging with their world matters more than sitting in the bleachers at every practice (and let’s be honest, many parents are probably doom scrolling while sitting in those bleachers anyway).
Your children aren't just surviving your career - they're thriving because of it. They're developing resilience, independence, goal-setting, and learning what it looks like to create a rich, purposeful life.
