As a child reaches their first birthday, it’s a really emotional time for new parents. It’s the realization of the shocking truth that somehow one whole year has already passed by, it’s the sadness in knowing the newborn baby stage is over, it’s the excitement of watching your child navigate this world, its the joy in watching each milestone. It’s the adventure of the unknown.
It’s. A. Lot.
I think a big factor of the emotional first birthday also comes down to the fact that most Canadian moms now need to decide whether they will go back to work or stay at home with their children.
First of all, did you all know how lucky we truly are to be parents in Canada? We pretty much get a year off (paid!) to be home with our babies! (Yes, we do pay into this through our taxes, but at this moment, that is not the point) I haven’t done an entire research essay on the topic, but check out the image below to see just how (financially) lucky Canadian moms are compared to those in other countries.
Going Back to Work VS. Staying at Home
Surely a topic every family has discussed. Will one parent stay home with the kids? Will both parents work? Will parents share the stay at home responsibilities? Will they work full or part time? Will they stay home as long as there are kids to raise?
It honestly doesn’t matter!
This decision should be made by both parents of the children. Not by the entire world or by strangers standing behind you in the grocery line.
This decision should be made as a family, for what works best for your family.
Whether you are a mom (or dad!) who works outside the home full-time, part-time, or not at all, you’re still a parent!! Let’s stop shaming moms for their decisions. Let’s stop having mom guilt over doing what’s best for our family.
Being a parent who works all day and coming home to your children is hard. Being a stay at home parent all day long is hard.
The only thing that matters is that you’re trying your best and doing what’s right for your family. A decision made between husband and wife. Not the entire world. End of story.
At the end of the day, parenting is the hardest, craziest, most amazing joyous adventure.
We’re all trying our best to raise good humans. That’s all that matters.
So, regardless of what you have decided to do, just know that as long as your goal is to raise a good, kind, strong and loving human, you’re doing your absolute best!! Parenting is hard. Let’s be real.
All we can do is try our best and hope our kids know how much we love them and pray that our decisions mould our kids into good people.
Cheers, fellow parents. You’re doing a great job!