“I Was Always Busy” – A Professor’s Painful Realization About Parenting
At 25, she got married, by 27, she completed her PhD, and at 40, she became a professor. Success came fast, but looking back at 60, she realized that her priorities were misplaced.
This is the story of Sarah Kwamboka, who dedicated her life to academia but lost touch with her family. Her story serves as a powerful lesson about the importance of balancing career success with family life.
The Cost of a Career-Focused Life
Sarah was a hardworking lecturer and administrator, so much so that the phrase “I’m busy” became her default response to her children.
- She sent her children to boarding school at age 10, despite her husband’s disapproval.
- She had no warm relationship with her two sons and daughter.
- Her mother helped raise them, but she was absent from their daily lives.
For years, she prioritized work over family, believing she was securing a better future for them—but the reality hit differently in her later years.
The Moment of Regret
At 60, she invited her children to celebrate her milestone birthday.
- Her two sons in Canada declined, saying they were “busy.”
- Her daughter in South Africa responded with a heartbreaking message: “Mum, I’m sorry I can’t make it. My husband needs me, and I’m pregnant. I’m very, very busy. I’m also lonely in a strange land. Please pray for us.”
That message shattered her—the same excuse she had given them all their lives was now being returned to her.
A Painful Lesson on Family Priorities
The greatest blow came a month later when her husband passed away in his sleep. Only one child came for the funeral, without his family.
It was then that she fully understood:
- Parenting is a sacrificial journey—it requires time and presence, not just financial security.
- No career success can replace family warmth.
- Children mirror what they see—if parents are absent, they will learn to be absent too.
A Message to Parents: Prioritize Family First
Sarah’s story is a wake-up call to parents who are overwhelmed by careers and success.
✅ Solidify your home first—before chasing work achievements.
✅ Create time for your spouse and children—work will always be there, but time won’t.
✅ Instill the fear of God in your children—not just by words but by example.
✅ Be present when your children need you—so they will be present when you need them.
Final Thoughts: Success Means Nothing Without Family
In a world that glorifies career achievements, Sarah’s story reminds us that true success is in relationships. Work will always continue, but family moments are irreplaceable.
Let’s be selflessly available for our loved ones—before it’s too late.
