Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Start owning the role of being a parent

Raising and caring for the future of Australia can attract strange comments and inuendo at times. Apparently we don't take work seriously anymore, we shouldn't be working now because we have children, and while at home we are having coffee with friends all day.

What a load of crap. Personally, I have never worked harder and been more tired in my life but I am happy. We need to start changing these perceptions and turning them on their head. This means communicating to people around you about how much you do in your day (both at work and at home).

Stop accepting pathetic comments about it being your choice to be a parent... and the one about it being unfair that tax payers have to foot the bill for childcare subsidies and a paid parental leave scheme. What these people will contribute in tax is minimal compared to what you will pay to raise a child (at least $1 million I believe!). In monetary terms, non-parents are contributing to a blue-chip investment (your children) who will eventually be paying taxes towards their health and retirement funds.

So stop apologising for leaving on time to be with your children. Stop accepting more junior roles because you are now a parent. Stop saying that you do nothing because you are a stay-at-home parent. Take pride in how much you can achieve in your day, including raising responsible and well adjusted little human beings. And take time out for yourself.

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