“Why Did My Son and His Wife Decide to Have a Baby Now? Their Careers Are Their Priority”

I remember the day my son, Michael, and his wife, Jessica, announced they were expecting their first child. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and we were all gathered for a family barbecue. The news was met with cheers and congratulations, but deep down, I had my reservations. Michael and Jessica are both high-flying professionals in their respective fields—Michael is a corporate lawyer, and Jessica is a marketing executive. Their careers have always been their top priority.

As the months went by, my concerns grew. Michael and Jessica were constantly busy with work. They attended meetings, traveled for business, and often worked late into the night. When their daughter, Emily, was born, they hired a full-time nanny to take care of her. While I understand the need for help, it seemed like the nanny was more of a parent to Emily than her own mother and father.

I tried to voice my concerns to Michael one evening when he came over for dinner. “Michael,” I said gently, “I know you and Jessica are busy with your careers, but don’t you think Emily needs more of your time?”

Michael sighed and rubbed his temples. “Mom, we love Emily more than anything. But we also have responsibilities. Our jobs are demanding, and we can’t just drop everything.”

“I understand that,” I replied, “but children need their parents. They need to feel loved and secure.”

Michael nodded but didn’t say anything more. I could see the conflict in his eyes, but his actions remained unchanged.

Months turned into years, and Emily grew up under the care of her nanny. She was a bright and cheerful child, but there was always a hint of sadness in her eyes. She would often ask me, “Grandma, why are Mommy and Daddy always so busy?”

It broke my heart every time she asked that question. I tried to fill the void as much as I could, but I knew it wasn’t enough. Emily needed her parents.

One evening, I received a call from Jessica. She sounded frantic. “Mom, can you come over? Emily is sick, and we have an important meeting we can’t miss.”

I rushed over to their house and found Emily lying on the couch, looking pale and weak. I took her temperature—it was alarmingly high. I called Michael and Jessica to let them know that Emily needed to see a doctor immediately.

They arrived home an hour later, looking stressed and exhausted. We took Emily to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia. The doctor said she needed to be hospitalized for a few days.

As we sat in the hospital room, watching Emily sleep, I turned to Michael and Jessica. “This is what I’ve been trying to tell you,” I said softly. “Emily needs you. She needs you to be there for her, not just physically but emotionally.”

Jessica started to cry, and Michael looked away, unable to meet my eyes. They knew I was right, but it was too late to change their ways.

Emily recovered from her illness, but the incident left a lasting impact on all of us. Michael and Jessica tried to be more present in her life, but their careers continued to demand most of their time and energy.

Years later, as Emily grew into a teenager, the distance between her and her parents became more apparent. She often confided in me about her feelings of loneliness and abandonment. Despite their best efforts, Michael and Jessica couldn’t bridge the gap that had formed over the years.

In the end, Emily grew up feeling like she had missed out on having real parents. She excelled academically and pursued her own career with determination, but there was always a part of her that longed for the love and attention she never fully received from Michael and Jessica.

As I look back on those years, I can’t help but wonder if things could have been different if only Michael and Jessica had prioritized their family over their careers.