I remember one incident very clearly from my childhood, and it still tugs at my heart. I was in Grade 4, excited yet nervous about my parent-teacher meeting at school. I had imagined my mom walking through the school gate, smiling, looking proud. I had planned to show off my mom to my friends and maybe even get some pocket money to buy snacks from the canteen.
I waited and waited… at the gate… watching other parents arrive and chat with teachers. And then, slowly, reality hit. My mom wasn’t coming. I remember crying silently as the minutes ticked past and all the other parents had left. To my young mind, it felt like the world was unfair, like she didn’t care enough to be there.
At that time, I had no idea about the challenges parents face balancing work and family obligations. My mom was a bank manager, and even getting a half-day off or leave was a big deal for her. My dad was also working hard, and their schedules rarely allowed flexibility. I didn’t understand the hurdles, the stress, the tough decisions they had to make. All I knew was that my mom didn’t show up, and I felt embarrassed and disappointed.
Looking back now, as an adult and a parent myself, I see things differently. I’ve been in both shoes, waiting desperately as a child and juggling work responsibilities as a parent. Life is not always fair, and sometimes, love doesn’t look like we imagine it. My mom and dad loved me, even if circumstances prevented them from being physically present that day.
Have you ever waited for your mom or dad to turn up for a parent-teacher meeting, and they never did? I’d love to hear your story. Whom do you think was right, the child who waited, or the parents who were doing their best behind the scenes?
Life teaches us that understanding and empathy often come only with time and perspective.
