Both Sheena and I are working parents, and we know how hard it

Hearken, O children of the ages yet to unfold, and attend to the words of Eric Greitens, whose voice carries the weight of lived experience: “Both Sheena and I are working parents, and we know how hard it is to balance work and parenting.” In this simple declaration lies a truth as old as the household itself: that the dual callings of labor and nurture, of vocation and kinship, demand courage, wisdom, and steadfastness. The path of the working parent is a crucible, forging character through challenge, sacrifice, and perseverance.

The origin of this reflection rests in Greitens’ life as a public servant, a professional, and a parent, and in the shared understanding with his partner, Sheena. They speak not of abstract struggle, but of lived reality—the long hours, the divided attention, the sacrifices that are unseen yet deeply felt. Their acknowledgment reminds us of the eternal tension between duty to self, family, and community, a tension recognized by sages and elders across the ages. Parenting while laboring is a trial by fire, where love and responsibility are tested in the daily rhythms of life.

The meaning of Greitens’ words is both practical and moral. To balance work and parenting is to engage in the sacred act of prioritization and devotion, ensuring that neither vocation nor family suffers neglect. It is a recognition that the demands of society and the demands of the home often collide, yet one must navigate both with patience, resilience, and reflection. In this, the working parent becomes both warrior and nurturer, wielding discipline, empathy, and foresight in equal measure.

Consider the example of Benjamin Franklin, who labored tirelessly as a printer, inventor, and statesman while raising a large family. His days were measured by duty to work and family alike, yet he understood the importance of presence, guidance, and moral instruction for his children. Franklin’s life illustrates that the struggle to balance obligations is timeless, and that success is not measured by perfection but by intentional effort, care, and steadfastness in both spheres of life.

Greitens’ reflection also carries a lesson in empathy and solidarity: to acknowledge the difficulty of balancing work and parenting is to recognize the unseen labors of countless others, particularly in families where support and resources are scarce. It is a call to honor, respect, and support those who navigate this dual responsibility, and to understand that their toil is the backbone of communities, economies, and the future generations they nurture.

The lesson for future generations is luminous: labor and nurture are intertwined callings, demanding courage, attention, and love. Respect the work of others, cultivate resilience within yourself, and recognize that the well-being of children and the sustainability of work are inseparable. Balance is not the absence of struggle, but the conscious engagement with both responsibilities, guided by wisdom, patience, and intention.

In practical life, one may follow Greitens’ counsel by fostering communication, partnership, and shared responsibility. Support one another in work and home life, prioritize time for presence and care, and cultivate systems—both personal and societal—that enable the nurturing of children without sacrificing professional contribution. In doing so, one strengthens both family and community, and demonstrates that the challenges of dual responsibility can be met with grace and resolve.

Thus, O children of future ages, carry this teaching as both shield and beacon: the balance of work and parenting is a sacred endeavor, requiring courage, discipline, and love. Embrace the struggle, honor the effort, and act with intention, for in the weaving of labor and nurture lies the continuity of families, the flourishing of children, and the endurance of society itself. In this, the wisdom of generations past finds its echo, and the legacy of steadfast care endures for those yet to come.