More often than not, it seems that talk between people these days is a mutual exchange of schedules. Intimate conversation is replaced by complaints about stress. The dilemmas inspired by overscheduling are the subject of this week’s magazine, “How much is too much?”
Chris Jones, arts writer, is well-placed to view this dilemma. Chris and his wife, Gillian Darlow, welcomed Peter into the world 10 months ago and now are grappling with these profound questions about how to balance work and family, and how to be supportive parents in a competitive world where so many of us worry that a moment off the enrichment treadmill will lead to a dead-end in life.
In this world, where affluence and stress go hand in hand, there are plenty of less well-off families that wouldn’t mind the problem of juggling ice hockey, violin lessons and space camp.
At the same time, busy families may feel oppressed and overwhelmed with the weight of activities they have sought out for themselves. Figuring out the balance is a continuing struggle, requiring rigorous self-reflection and reassessment.
This story resonated with many of us here, as it did for Chris, new to the merry band of parenthood.
“Maybe this story was a way,” he mused, “of working through my growing realization that our remarkable young man is more important to me than any piece of work.”