Being a parent means you’re never quite your own person again – but that self-sacrifice can pull off a miracle | Justin Toh

Parents must frequently say no to their own wants and needs to help their child flourish – and grow into a wonderful adult

Read more in our Making sense of it series

I believe power trips and parenting should never mix, so I freaked out when the early childhood nurse told me that to my baby boy, I was a “goddess”. She meant he was dependent on me for everything, so I had to be everything to him, come what may. But the life divine didn’t come easily to me: my boy didn’t sleep much, so I didn’t either.

A decade on, I’ve seen the light. The nurse was right all along: parenting is a God gig. You don’t need to be a believer for something miraculous to happen when you become a parent: you go about becoming the god you don’t believe in, and your child’s personal guarantee that the world is a welcoming place.

Topics

Can Your Car Be Your Friend?

Automakers are showing off whizz-bang tech for vehicle interiors meant to reshape drivers’ relationships with their cars.
Wired - 2d
What does the gilt sell-off mean for your money?

Mortgages, pensions and investments likely to feel the effects of rising bond yields
Financial Times - 2d
Can Democrats Be the Party of the Future Again?

Ro Khanna, a progressive from Silicon Valley, on Big Tech’s rightward lurch.
The New York Times - 2d
NFL wildcard weekend predictions: how the Steelers can pull off a miracle at the Ravens

A heap of drama beckons in NFC as the 14-3 Vikings meet LA, while in AFC a pair of underdogs attempt to stage heists. What the Chargers need to do to win: The league’s stingiest defense cannot ...
The Guardian - 3d
Column: There's never been a TV detective quite like 'Vera'

As Vera Stanhope, Brenda Blethyn helped create both a revolutionary television character and one of ITV's longest-running series. Our columnist says goodbye to 'Vera.'
Los Angeles Times - 3d
Bentancur is 'all good' after being stretchered off

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur says he is "all good" after being taken off on a stretcher against Liverpool.
BBC News - 4d
Justin Trudeau Was His Own Worst Enemy

Justin Trudeau came to power with a new kind of politics — progressive and identity-based. In the end, it proved his undoing.
The New York Times - 4d
Justin Trudeau announces plan to quit as Canada’s prime minister

Trudeau says he will bring an end to his nearly 10-year spell in power once his Liberal party has found a new leader. Justin Trudeau has said he will step down as Canada’s prime minister after ...
The Guardian - 6d
Why You Should Talk About Sex With Your Parents

Sex is a big part of life. Why is it so hard to talk to family members about it?
The New York Times - Dec. 24

More from The Guardian

LA wildfires: death toll rises to 24 as winds threaten further destruction

More than 1,800 structures destroyed as Eaton and Palisades fires still less than 30% contained. Wildfires live updates Key takeaways The death toll from the Eaton and Palisades fires ...
The Guardian - 6h
Most violent or sexual offences went unsolved in crime hotspots in England and Wales last year

Exclusive: About 89% of such crimes closed without a suspect being caught or charged in the year to June 2024. Tory police cuts are only part of the crisis affecting victims of crime Victims ...
The Guardian - 2h
Ukraine’s capture of North Koreans offers rare insight into Russian alliance, says Zelenskyy

Kyiv keen to emphasise that Ukraine is fighting an unprecedented coalition of malign autocratic states . Ukraine’s capture of two North Korean soldiers on the battlefield has provided a rare ...
The Guardian - 8h
Baby gorilla rescued from hold of Turkish Airlines plane

Five-month-old, now named Zeytin, was found in a box on a flight that was travelling from Nigeria to Thailand. A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo, ...
The Guardian - 4h
Sweden neither at war nor at peace, says PM, as warships sent to Baltic Sea

Ulf Kristersson says ‘hostile intent cannot be ruled out’ as increased surveillance follows suspected cable sabotage . The Swedish prime minister has said that his country is neither at war nor at ...
The Guardian - 14h

More in World

Australian Open 2025: Kyrgios and Djokovic in action after Sinner, Swiatek and Gauff progress – live

Updates from the second day of action at Melbourne Park Burrage’s luck turns ; Tomljanović exacts swift revenge Any thoughts? Share them with Daniel via email Another multi-deuce service ...
The Guardian - 13m
India's Modi marks the opening of a strategic tunnel in disputed Kashmir

Yahoo News - 16m
With South Korea in Crisis, Eight Justices Will Decide President’s Fate

The Constitutional Court, an arbiter in a polarized nation, is about to consider whether Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment for declaring martial law was justified.
The New York Times - 23m
Apple asks investors to block proposal to scrap diversity programmes

Conservative thinktank wants firm to end its DEI efforts because they create ‘litigation, reputational and financial risks’. Business live – latest updates Apple has asked shareholders to vote ...
The Guardian - 25m
FA Cup: 10 talking points from the weekend’s third-round action

Tamworth’s heroes deserve better, Pep Guardiola tries to fire up Jack Grealish and Liverpool’s teenagers impress. Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 tactics have little place in English football, it was said. ...
The Guardian - 44m