We all make sacrifices as parents. Some of us put careers on hold. Others postpone education, trips and other opportunities. Most of us go without some of the luxuries we once had before kids in order to pay for preschool, save for college, or sometimes, simply to make ends meet.

After a while, we don’t really see these life changes as sacrifices. They’re simply part of having children.

 The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung once said, "Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent.”

I don’t really know the full context of that quote, but after reading it earlier this week, it made me reflect a little bit on some of the things in my life that I’ve put on hold.

The quote showed up in a story posted by a reader on the Parents’ Council blog. The article, "Parents: Are They Making The Grade?" explored how some moms and dads “would rather focus on how their kids are stacking up, holding up or moving up, rather than how they themselves are scoring on the parenting scale." After quoting Jung, the writer wrote: “So live a little; take some learning risks in front of your child; do something each day for pure joy; and stop riding your child’s coattails – ride your own.”

Now I'm left wondering: Is it really possible to simultaneously meet your own needs and fulfill your aspirations while taking care of your family? Are you better off doing one before the other instead of trying to do everything all at once?

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