The unavoidable feeling of being unseen as a parent.

 We found a daughter that is always grateful. She’s always sensitive to our needs. And what we’re feeling. Woh meri feelings ko palkon par rakhti hai. And yet over time I realise that in some sense the core of parenting requires you to go sooo much further than you can or would for any other relationship in some sense that it’s impossible to not start to feel like you’re doing soooo much more than can ever be resciprocated. A child isn’t meant to be able to be grateful for each thing you do. And no matter who that child is, it will settle into a space where they will by nature of this equation, not be able to see everything you do. And slowly you will feel unseen. It’s no one’s fault. At all. It just makes me respect all the parents I’ve seen around so much more. It’s such a tough job. And your job is to go further than you can even imagine in doing what it takes for the child’s good. And health. And yet, I do Off and on, try as I might to avoid it, feel unseen. Other people in the same orbit, because they don’t do as much, are seen quicker when they do something. You, because you’re a parent are seen less for doing more. It’s the bane of parenthood. And maybe a lot of parents avoid this trap by not doing too much. But then that’s not playing the role correctly and properly. You just must go beyond all horizons and limits as a parent and do what’s needed.  Everything. And hopefully over time, this too will become normal and okay. Feel seen elsewhere. Doing other things.