Write@Home
Winter 2015

Parenthood

toddler with parents and grandparents on a walk outdoors

If the mother, rather than a babysitter, stays with a child during the first year of a child's life this is, in my opinion, responsible parenthood. In the past, most parents stayed at home to care for their children during the first years when they were growing up.

Even now, in Ukraine, where I come from, the mother stays with the child on maternity leave for the first three years. In Canada, this trend is different, most parents are employed, and the parental leave is a maximum of one year. I think that there are cases when parents continue to work if it is an online job, or there is a nanny who helps you with the child.

It is also related to the fact that some women have better jobs than men and they are the main source of income for the family. In my opinion, it is up to the parents to decide between themselves what is better for them and for their children, so they both could enjoy parenthood.