For Parents Who Carry The Weight Of "What If"

Are you a parent who lies awake at night replaying moments you wish you could do over? Do you carry the heavy weight of "what if" - what if you had been more present, more patient, more available when your child needed you most? This poem is for you.

If you've ever felt the sting of knowing you let your child down despite your best intentions, you'll recognise yourself in these honest verses. The guilt can feel overwhelming, can't it?

Maybe your child is struggling right now with depression, anxiety, or just finding their way in the world. Maybe you're watching them hurt and feeling responsible for their pain. If so, this poem offers you something precious: permission to stop trying to be perfect and start focusing on being present. You don't need to be flawless. You just need to keep trying, keep loving, and trust that your commitment to helping them find their light again is exactly what they need.

Transcript

I'm sitting here and thinking through all the things I didn't do and wondering if I'd my time again what I'd do to make amends.

I'd hold you closer when you were born.

I'd make sure you didn't fall.

I'd be available all the time.

I'd answer your every call.

I'd be firm in my boundaries as much as in my love.

I'd tell you every day that you are more than just enough.

I'm sitting here and wondering how that would have helped to change our now.

But I know that those amends would bring different struggles to bear.

Different ways I'd let you down whilst you've been in my care.

So I sit here beside you for when you need me by your side.

And I'm sure I'll get it wrong again and it won't be good enough that I tried.

But I'll try again and we'll try again until we find a way to help you find your light again.

To help you find your way.