Their father and I had planned to wait five years after getting married to even start conversations about having a family, and I was clear through our engagement that I just couldn't see myself having children. The arrival of these lives in my body years ago brought floods of memories that propelled me into critical windows of counseling. Their presence in my life since their births has presented me the most glorious path of personal healing, as they generously offered me the opportunity to choose to parent them in ways I longed for as a child. I would not have enjoyed the grand metamorphosis they initiated for me in my spiritual journey. The critical lessons I've learned in my path of motherhood are vital for every relationship I have ever embraced.
Life is a blend of play and exploration.
Empathize and encourage rather than telling them to quit or telling them what they should have done differently. Pursuit of dreams can be hard. Support them when they get in over their head-and do it without reproach or judgment. Be liberal with standing ovations. It is so much easier in this culture to feel envy because it didn't happen to you . . .