Good day. I am Cheng Yan, a listening coach, and I am honored to respond to your inquiry.
From your description, I can appreciate the challenges you face in raising two children on your own. You highlighted some key aspects related to your eldest child, and I can sense the joy, happiness, busyness, and anxiety that come with being a new mother.
In particular, you were torn between focusing on your eldest child and preparing for the civil service exam. You were experiencing significant stress, with limited time and energy. The anxiety, distress, and helplessness, along with the prolonged internal turmoil, significantly impacted your energy levels. Even when your eldest child needed your attention and attempted to gain it through crying, you were unable to respond effectively.
A child's crying is a significant stressor for adults, often leading to feelings of loss of control. Adults may naturally hope that the child will stop crying and demonstrate understanding. This is a common and understandable response.
An individual with sufficient energy may be able to withstand this pressure or may identify a solution to comfort the child and end the crying, thereby eliminating the pressure. However, due to a lack of available energy, it is challenging to cope with the child's crying and to devise a solution to comfort them. This can lead to significant distress. When the relationship between a parent and their child is unresolved and a positive communication pattern has not been established, the arrival of a second child can further exacerbate the situation.
You find it increasingly challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance. You even consider maintaining a physical distance from him. You believe that he has matured, can be self-sufficient, and should understand your perspective.
You utilize this rationale to persuade yourself that your decision and conduct are justified, thereby alleviating a degree of personal responsibility. However, if you are tasked with addressing the emotional requirements of both children, it can be likened to two immense, all-consuming entities that will overwhelm your capacity as a mother. Consequently, this response represents a form of self-preservation and self-defense mechanism for you, potentially a subconscious behavior.
However, you were not aware that he still requires your support. He also senses your deliberate estrangement and the harsh expectations you have of him. He frequently requests a hug, but you do not offer one. He may have learned to be helpless. He has genuinely become self-sufficient and no longer desires that level of involvement.
Upon resuming physical contact in the form of a hug, you perceive a shift in the emotional dynamic. You sense a growing distance and a sense of strangeness between you. This prompts you to reflect on past actions and their potential impact. Despite his growth and development, he remains a child, only six years old.
You experience a degree of remorse and self-blame, and perceive that you have caused your child trauma. You also wish to implement changes and make amends.
I empathize with your situation as a mother. This process of sorting out and self-awareness is highly meaningful and will have a significant impact on your child's upbringing and the parent-child relationship between you.
It is important to remember that everyone is a first-time mother and that it is impossible to do everything perfectly. This is especially true for second-time mothers. One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is learning how to provide each child with the motherly love they need. This is a profound subject that requires constant exploration and interaction with your child to understand their needs.
My child is now six years old and is maturing at a slower pace. It is possible that he no longer requires the same level of proximity from his mother due to his age, as he is engaged in a more active social group and peer interaction. Your detachment from him is partially influenced by this, and it is not entirely your fault.
From a developmental psychology standpoint, while establishing an attachment relationship in childhood is crucial (as evidenced by your exemplary parenting during his early years), this pattern is not rigidly fixed as one matures. Transformations in roles and the formation of relationships all influence a child's attachment patterns.
Furthermore, the remainder of your life will afford you the opportunity to make necessary corrections, adjustments, and rebuild.
Therefore, it is recommended that you, the mother, attempt to relieve your anxiety. Should you feel that you have not performed adequately, it would be advisable to make the necessary adjustments in due course. It is important to recognise that there is no such thing as a perfect original environment, particularly in the context of childhood trauma.
It would be advisable to apologise to your child, accept your own shortcomings, let go of the past and rebuild the ideal parent-child relationship with your child.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Best regards,
I would like to extend my warmest regards to you and your family.


Comments
I can totally relate to the complexity of emotions you're experiencing. It sounds like you've been through so much with balancing your eldest's upbringing and personal goals. The guilt and anxiety over not having enough time for yourself must have been overwhelming. Yet, amidst all that, you managed to provide a lot of love and experiences for your son.
It seems like there was a lot of pressure on you when raising your eldest, especially with the added stress of preparing for the civil service exam. I imagine it was tough to find a balance between being a dedicated mother and pursuing your own aspirations. It's natural to feel conflicted in such situations.
Your story really struck me. It's heartbreaking to hear how your relationship with your eldest has developed over time. It sounds like you've both been trying to adjust to growing up and changing roles within the family. Maybe now is the time to rebuild that bond and make new memories together.
The way you described holding your eldest recently, it's clear you're noticing the distance between you two. It's never too late to reconnect and show him the affection he might be craving. Perhaps starting with small gestures could help bridge that gap and bring you closer again.
Reflecting on your feelings towards both children, it seems like you're very hard on yourself. Parenting is challenging, and it's okay to not have everything figured out. Try to be gentle with yourself and remember that every parent makes mistakes. What matters is the effort you put into making things better.