Emma Grede

In my view, I think the idea of what it means to be a mother specifically, not a father, has gone nuts.

Like this idea of performative parenting, that I need to make a lunch and all the sandwiches need to be in stars and it needs to be on the Instagram.

A smiley face.

I don't do any of that.

So two ways I want to answer your question.

Yeah, and you have no guilt about that.

Zero.

Zero.

Because my kids don't need that from me.

My kids need love and they need a certain amount of attention, but that doesn't require eight hours with them.

It's probably like 20 minutes per kid per day, if I'm honest.

I don't do every school drop off, but I'm there when my kids need me.

If my kid's in an art show or, you know, running a race, I am there.

But I don't partake in this idea that I'm supposed to usher my kids through life.

And that you're supposed to be there for everything.

No, I'm just not because here's the thing.

My kids are learning what it is to live up to the expectations of your own life.

They see me go out and chase my dreams and I want them to do that for themselves.

But I do think that we put ourselves in a position right now where the idea of what it means and what it takes to be a parent is so insurmountable that women are running themselves in circles.

You don't need to do that.