Writers Workshop : A-Star (A*) Care for My Kids
Last week I wrote about 22 Things which I have done. This week I’m choosing #17 from my list and elaborating about it.
#17- Going on No Pay Leave to take care of the
kids during their formative years.
It wasn’t a difficult decision to make. I’ve always wanted to be fully involved in the lives of my kids as they are growing up. I have heard and seen too many examples of my ex pupils complaining that their parents were never around and they never understood or really cared about them.
I know too well the pain a parent feels when even though they have engaged the best helpers or enrolled their kids in the most comprehensive programs at the end of the day they are not able to build up a strong bond with the kid as they were not present during their growing up years.
Leaving the care giving to maids and nannies is not an option which I considered especially during their formative years. I heard of many terror tales of maids mistreating their charges and even nannies being careless with the babies that were under their care.
They maybe able to cater to the infant/young child’s physical needs but are not capable of mentally stimulating them and help in their overall development. Also there is an element of fear or issues in trusting an outsider to give your child the best care possible.
I’ve witnessed a lot of delinquency cases and misbehaviour in school kids stem from poor or negligent upbringing. I don’t want to look back in time to come and regret that I didn’t spend enough time and effort in taking care and grooming my kids.
I want my kids to remember that I was around when they were young to nurture them to the best of their potential. Mummy was around to witness their milestones and to guide them along the way.
November 3, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
Glad you did what you needed to do. No greater present to a child than a happy parent!
And thank you for visiting my blog!
November 3, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
Wonderful post and good on you! I too am loving being a devoted, stay at home Mum. The first years of their lives are so precious and I wouldn’t want to miss them either x
November 3, 2011 @ 8:11 pm
That’s so great if you can make it work. What cuties your kids are:-) Kudos to ya for being able to be there for them like you were and are!
November 3, 2011 @ 8:39 pm
I feel the same way! I am glad I could stay home too.
November 3, 2011 @ 9:11 pm
You’re very fortunate to be able to stay at home with the kids during their early years. I always worried when leaving my kids with babysitters when they were still too young to tell me what happened or what they did.
November 4, 2011 @ 2:50 am
I was fortunate enough to stay home with my kids, too. I felt that no one else would care enough to do the kind of job I wanted done on raising them.
I wish more parents could do this!
=)
November 4, 2011 @ 4:27 am
good for you! If there’s anything I would change about my life it’s working too much outside the home and not spending enough time with my daughter as she was growing up. I’m so grateful that she raised herself so well; I know it could have turned out vastly different. But in retrospect, nothing is more important (or satisfying) in the end than being there for your children.
November 4, 2011 @ 3:36 pm
Definitely the best thing to do is to follow your bliss. Good you and your partner could make it work.
November 5, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
It’s great that you’re able to do that for your kids, where some parents can’t.
November 6, 2011 @ 10:29 pm
What a very good Mommy you are for being able to do that! I made the same decision while pregnant with my first born. It’s hard… VERY hard sometimes to accept being a parent as your full time job, but it is oh so worth it. 🙂
November 9, 2011 @ 9:40 pm
they grow so fast
enjoy them!!!
~victoria~
November 10, 2011 @ 10:37 pm
Amen! They grow up so fast and then you can never have another chance at those moments!
I applaud that you made this decision. Seeing their Mom happy and fulfilled will be one of the greatest gifts you can give them!
This was lovely and inspiring.
Thank you for sharing it.
A+