My wife went back to work today, I was so proud of her. It’s great to see her able to get out of the house and do something beyond minding my daughter.
It’s strange really, that I would say this. Firstly, it’s my own daughter I am talking about, and secondly I know what a huge achievement it is for my wife to mind her day in, day out.
But somehow society doesn’t recognise raising a baby as an achievement
I think it’s this general society attitude that has, to some extent, rubbed off on me.
“You are a full time parent….but what else do you do? Aren’t you bored?”
Raising a baby takes a lot of effort:
- It’s tougher than a marathon – it doesn’t end after 2 or 3 hours
- There is no sick leave – unlike any other job in the world you can’t stop because you are ill
- The hours are unregulated – baby’s don’t stop crying because you are tired at the end of the day or because it is 3am on Saturday morning
- You take your work with you on holidays – unlike a Blackberry, you can’t switch baby off
I think it is amazing when a man or a woman gives up work to mind their children – it’s exhausting and I think so much of anyone who does this full-time.
If you do want to consider becoming a stay-at-home Dad, I suggest you read this post at Steely Dad.
But something pulls us all towards doing something more on top of raising our children, working, studying, getting fit, reading – how much of this is due to society’s attitude to raising kids?
A lot, I fear. Society needs to update its attitude towards parenting, and put it up there with the awe for the top achieving sports athlete, the mountaineer who conquers everest, the brain surgeon etc.
Parenting is intense, arduous and a huge achievement – just because so many people are doing it doesn’t mean it’s easy.
About time we recognise that.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Totally agree with you. My wife stays at home with our 3-month old daughter. I just went back to work today after 10 days off, and I have to say I have such enormous respect for her. Not that I didn’t before, but being home for 10 days, seeing the routine (or lack thereof…) and the total dedication it requires, I am in total awe. She is, without a doubt, a rock star
Thanks Rian, you’ve put it in perfect words – Rock Star. But for some reason it’s not given the same weight as strumming a guitar….strange world!
GREAT post and not just because you linked to my post (which is very flattering, BTW!). It’s so very true. I also homeschool my two kids which makes it even more interesting. It’s tough but nothing beats that “light bulb” moment! Thanks for the post! PS I added you to my blog log!
Thanks Steely Dad. Wishing you continued success on the home schooling front.