There is no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a good one.” — Jill Churchill
Parenthood is a journey that begins with tiny hands and ends with lifelong lessons. Parenting has been one of the most beautiful and transformative journeys of my life. Experiencing parenthood twice — first with a son and then with a daughter— has been one of life’s greatest blessings. Each child brought a different shade of love and joy into my world. Raising children six years apart felt like you are parenting two species from different planets. The younger one dipped her brush into colors while the older one dipped his dreams into possibilities. Bedtime was another adventure; one needed a fairytale; the other needed life advice. Somewhere between those two worlds, I forgot which one of us was actually growing faster. In no time the two of them bonded over shared adventures- reminded me that love, laughter and a little chaos truly bridges any age gap.
Parenting has taught me lessons no book could ever explain — lessons in forgiveness, listening, and seeing the world through another’s eyes. Each phase brought new joys and new challenges, but also new wisdom. Raising my children in the UAE was a journey of blending traditional with modern global outlook, the safe environment helped my children become confident and globally aware, they grew up learning to appreciate diverse languages, traditions, and perspectives from an early age. Here, they thrived in a world that’s fast-paced, diverse, and endlessly exciting, preparing them to embrace life with curiosity, resilience, and joy. They’ve both taught me that parenting isn’t about treating children the same but about nurturing their unique personalities and dreams. Together, they’ve filled my life with laughter, lessons, and love.
Parenting them is not about perfection; it’s about presence, connection, and learning from each other. In this fast-paced, tech-driven world, parenting has been messy, hilarious, exhausting, and truly rewarding. Watching my children grow up has been the greatest privilege and the most meaningful lesson of my life. Through this beautiful journey of parenthood, I have realized that being present today builds a bond that will guide them through tomorrow. Even when life is busy, your attention is a gift they will always need. A hug, a conversation, or simply sitting together can shape a lifetime of trust. The adventures of parenting will never end; they will evolve leaving footprints in my heart which will last a lifetime. This journey has been filled with love, laughter, lessons, and tears. It’s shown to me that being a parent means growing alongside your children, learning, adapting, and loving unconditionally. As I look back, I am grateful for every moment, the easy ones and the hard ones because they shaped not only my children’s story, but mine too.
Ms. Priyanka Kohli
