Driving down to Champaign yesterday, I was listening to a Momwell podcast – where guest Eve Rodsky was talking about her new book Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim your Creative Life in a Too Busy World.
I was thrilled to hear this new book is out as the first part of Rodsky’s previous book Fair Play is what inspired me to get this blog out of my head and into the world. A big part of what she argues is that when you become a mother in this society, you become invisible and part of finding peace in this parenting journey is giving yourself permission to be interesting again – to exist outside the roles of work and motherhood.
I have struggled since becoming a step-mom, just weeks after getting tenure at the University of Illinois, and then more so after giving birth to my daughter. At the time (yes, in 2020) the University gave parents 2 weeks of leave after giving birth – and if anything tells you that you no longer matter, it is this. You have to work, you have to parent, and you have to put aside all your own feelings, pain and emotions to continue to contribute. You, as a person, do not matter.
So with Rodsky’s words – give yourself permission to be interesting – and what feels very real to me – find space to be creative – I am trying to find regular time to write my thoughts about parenting and technology. I’ve wanted to share ideas about technology and children since long before I became a parent. And I’m finally doing it. My work load at work and at home hasn’t changed – but finding my own creative outlet is something I deserve to do.
So, here’s a challenge – amid all the stresses of parenting, what are you doing to engage creatively in the world? We say for kids creativity over consumption is important in technology use – can you do the same for yourself?
