Your kids are watching—let them see you dream

It’s not selfish to write: a 4-week series for moms with dreams

We spend so much time thinking about what our kids need from us.

We want to raise kind, curious, brave humans. We want them to believe in themselves. To pursue their passions. To do meaningful things in the world.

But how often do we show them what that actually looks like?

When you make time to write—not just when it’s easy, but even when it’s inconvenient—you’re showing your child that dreams matter.

That their voice matters.

That your voice matters.

And that might be one of the most powerful lessons they ever learn from you.

It’s easy to get caught up in the guilt.

Shouldn’t I be playing with them right now?

Shouldn’t I be folding laundry, meal planning, organizing the art supplies?

But your child doesn’t just need your constant availability.

They need your example.

My son is barely two years old, so he’s not too aware of what I get up to when I’m not with him. But our home is full of books, include those I’ve written, and his love of reading has only grown as he’s gotten older. While reading a book about a sleepy owl night after night can get a bit tedious, my heart always melts when he brings a book to me to read to him.

And I know one day he’ll realize that some of the books on our bookshelf were written by me, and he’ll know that I’m someone with passions and purpose.

I want my child to grow up in a world where women’s dreams are taken seriously.

Where creativity isn’t something you do “on the side,” but something you live inside.

Where motherhood and ambition don’t cancel each other out.

So I choose to let him see me in it.

To see me protecting my writing time.

To hear me say, “This is important to me.”

To know that his mom is someone who follows through on what she believes in—even when it’s hard, even when no one else is asking for it.

I don’t want to teach him self-sacrifice.

I want to teach him courage.

And that starts with me.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “okay” to take time away from your child to write, I want to offer this:

It’s not just okay.

It’s vital.

Let them see you sit down with your laptop or notebook.

Let them see you protect your dream.

Let them see what it looks like to follow through.

Because when they see you dream, they’ll know it’s safe for them to do the same.

P.S. One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the example of a mom who honors her voice and pursues what lights her up. That kind of modeling shapes who they become. Coaching helps you figure out how to build your writing into real life—not just as a “someday” dream, but as part of your identity now. If you’re ready to create that reality, I’d love to help. Book a consultation call and receive a plan for how I’ll help you write the novel of your dreams.

Next week, I’ll share how writing helped me find myself again after motherhood.

Photo by Vlad Kutepov on Unsplash