HBR Working Parents Starter Set (5 Books)

16

Everyday Joys

A conversation with Amy Jen Su and Kevin Evers

Quick Takes

• Find self-compassion when you feel unsuccessful as a parent or a worker
• We all have moments where feel more reactive and less effective
• Learn to notice these moments and compassionately bring yourself back
• Use small rituals to keep yourself centered

Before I had kids, I knew that becoming a parent would be the hardest thing I would ever do. But I was OK with that. Why? Because I thought I’d feel far more joy than anguish. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

To be honest, I rarely felt joy my first two years as a dad. My daughter, Maisie, suffered from colic and acid reflux and had a general bad attitude about sleep. On good days, she was extremely irritable. On bad days, ...