Parents don’t hide the fact that balancing parental duties and professional work can feel like a rollercoaster, especially if they are actively involved in their children's development. Many people shuttle their kids to extracurricular activities, which can feel like having a second job (see: "I don’t have time to be a mom. When I finish work, I start my driver’s shift"). My interviewee admits that she often hears complaints - and only complaints. "We forget what's most important in all this. It's sad," says Monika, who has a completely different perspective on raising her children.
Being a mom is demanding. "But let’s not forget how beautiful it is"
Monika and her husband are raising two children together. She admits that the support and involvement of her husband are a huge help. However, not everyone has this mindset. She says that recently, she's been hearing a lot of pessimistic comments, and many people complain that being a parent is "hard and awful".
I’m not saying it's easy, because it's not. Of course, taking care of children requires a lot of attention and dedication. But surely, people knew what they were getting into before deciding to have kids, right? Sure, maybe some thought it would be a little easier, but let's not kid ourselves—a lot depends on us. If we agree to drive our child across town for extracurricular activities, then of course we’ll spend extra hours behind the wheel
- Monika explains.
In many cases, we take on a million tasks ourselves and then cry about how hard it is. And young women hear this and are often scared or unsure of what to think. Sometimes I’m exhausted by the end of the day, too, but when I see my kids sleeping sweetly, I know all the effort and sacrifice are worth it. Or when they come up to me for a hug, shout from the other room, 'Mom, I love you!', make drawings, and tell me I’m the best in the world - no amount of rest at the best spa will give me the energy that those moments do.
She would rather raise kids alone than not have them at all
Monika admits that she has always had a strong maternal instinct. She likes children and enjoys playing with them. That’s why, after getting married, she quickly decided to have a child, surprising many friends and relatives.
I often heard comments about why we rushed into it and that we should have enjoyed each other first. Well, we are enjoying each other - and the kids. It’s great, although not always easy. If I had to choose, I would rather be a single mom than not be a mom at all. I have so much admiration for women who are single moms because I can’t even imagine how hard their lives must be
- she says.
And maybe this will sound a bit cliché, but I really believe that being a mom is the most wonderful role of my life. I have a great job, friends, and hobbies, but the love my two little rascals give me beats all of that, every time. I don’t criticize people who don’t want kids, just to be clear. In fact, I respect them for not giving in to societal pressure. I made a different choice in life, and I don’t regret it because this is what I wanted.
