If my parenting experience was a bottled beverage, it's brand would be "Simply Tired". It may not sound delicious but it's honest, no frills and with or without the pulp depending on the season. I am a working class mother. In the little time I do have away from my 4 year old, I'm piecing together resources to make family life a more seamless experience. I do a different kind of self-discovering from a single and curious young person with CEO dreams, where I figure out what's best for us and would improve my family's prospects. My 20's have been unglamorous by popular standard. I have to consider other people when I act so there's little room for looking agaze into the "what ifs". I don't get to dream and I'm fine with that.
My father did not get to dream. He served as a marine and attended John Jay College with hopes of being a lawyer. He worked as a correction officer for the NYPD and was fired as a result of what he described as a being targeted by racist supervisors (early 80s). His career descended with out financial support but he could not just flee away from family because of dreams derailed. He didn't blame my mom or feel sorry for himself and worked as a city bus driver for 25 years after that. My dad stayed tight lipped and worked overtime to make sure we were in a better position than he ever could ever be. I am better because of him. He had other mild talents that could've estranged him away from us but that wasn't a thought. He's now retired with properties in his name and getting ready to open a general store in his hometown. He's a hero, and by no means do I devalue his hard work because he "wasted talent".
