Hyderabad woman’s seven-year-old son asks ‘what is more important,...?’, emotional moment sparks debate on working motherhood and parenting priorities

A woman from Hyderabad has ignited a wider discussion around working motherhood after sharing a heartfelt interaction with her young son. Posting on Instagram, Lavanya Vaddanam described an incident involving her seven-year-old, narrating it in her native language with English text overlay for viewers.

A Simple Promise, A Difficult Question

Lavanya recalled that one morning, before heading to school, her son asked if they could make a greeting card together later that day. She agreed, but work commitments delayed her return home.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lavanya Vaddanam (@justherthoughts_lav)

“When I asked, ‘Why are you looking so dull?’ he said, ‘Mommy, what is more important to you, me or your office?’” she recalled.

A Mother’s Immediate Response

Caught off guard by the question, Lavanya reassured him instantly. “What kind of question is that? Of course, you are more important. Don’t you know that?”

Despite her response, the moment lingered with her, making her reflect on why she had to reassure him about something she assumed he already understood.

Explaining Work and Love

Later that night, before he went to bed, she took time to gently explain her situation. She told him, “Sometimes, because of my work, I get delayed. That’s part of my job. I need you to understand that. But that doesn’t mean you are not important to me. You are the most important person in my life.”

A Late Evening and Lingering Emotions

By the time Lavanya picked him up from her parents’ house and returned home, it was quite late. She noticed her son still seemed upset, a reminder of how deeply children value time and attention.

Social Media Reactions

In her caption, Lavanya reflected, “At the end of the day, all they really need is our presence.”

The post resonated with many users online. One commented, “Mothers carry so much guilt silently.” Another added, “Explaining your struggles to children in a gentle way can make them more empathetic.”

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Instagram. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.