My child, who was 5 years old at the time, once said, “Mommy, your boss is so mean. He gives you so much work.”

He expressed his frustration at seeing me typing at home, even though I had already spent the entire day working in the office. He felt excluded from what I was doing. He reminded me about our time for learning the alphabet.

Parents need reprimands from their children to remind them that the burden of work does not take up their children’s time.

My decision to bring work home was a compromise. My seniors at the office opted to stay late to catch up on urgent tasks, but I was reluctant to take that route. Instead, I chose to work from home, where I can continue my responsibilities in the family room while attending to my child’s needs and addressing any complaints.

To keep himself busy, I gave my son paper and crayons to draw with or rubber dinosaur toys.

After finishing my work, I would chat or wrestle with him. I didn’t feel anxious about facing the next day because the draft report requested by my boss was completed on time.

An Indonesian film based on a true story once gained public attention. The film tells the story of a devoted daughter who can not refuse her mother’s request to take in her younger sister. She already has a husband and children who require her care and a thriving business that demands additional attention to develop. The mother did not take these responsibilities into account.

For her mother to be at peace, she fulfilled her mother’s wishes. She financed her younger sister’s education and treated her with affection. The hope was that the younger sister would become a successful and independent woman.

But without her realizing it, her husband and younger sister got into an affair. Her husband was a devoted husband, though. But he was conquered by evil. It even got to the point where the younger sister wanted to get rid of her older sister from the marriage. She felt she deserved him more.

You know how furious all of Indonesia was following that true story.

Well, a sacrifice that severe, or a sacrifice for evil in-laws, for example, has never happened in my life. Maybe I ever made a quiet sacrifice, but I have really forgotten. Everything was covered by other good things that God has given me.

I am thankful that my life is not too miserable. Mine is not a princess-like life either.

Daily writing prompt

Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

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Who in my immediate environment has significantly influenced my personality? I often ponder this question, yet the answer remains unclear. There is no single individual who most influences me. I take a little bit of goodness from various people to imitate and apply.

My mother has been my role model for perseverance in religion and kindness. My love for books developed from watching my father, a librarian, and an avid reader. I learned to manage family finances thoroughly by following the examples of influential people on social media. My parenting style and approach to educating children are primarily self-taught; I have developed these skills by reading books and listening to advice from educational psychologists.

Everything that I adopt and apply now in my life is a combination of many sources. I cannot mention names specifically.

One important thing to remember is to never idolize others without thinking critically. Prophets are no longer sent to Earth. Humans must open their eyes and minds to the available options. Choose the best according to your common sense and conscience.

Daily writing prompt

What does freedom mean to you?

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People’s views on freedom vary, greatly influenced by the depth of their understanding of culture and religion.

Perhaps my opinion isn’t popular, but to me, freedom is closely linked to dignity. Individuals who use their liberty carelessly risk losing their dignity in the eyes of society. On the other hand, those who exercise their freedom responsibly—being mindful that their actions could harm others—are admirable people. Their sensitivity not only protects themselves but also safeguards others, and they do this without any external forcing. They act purely out of their own free will.

The problem is, what is a good level of sensitivity? The level that’s good enough to protect oneself without harming others.

Well, that goes back to the maturity of each individual.