I completely understand Kristine Salzmann’s conflicting feelings as a stay-at-home mom (Leader opinion, Aug. 30).
Having chosen to stay at home and raise my four children, I have some experience in the stay-at-home mom department.
I have a university education, have travelled extensively, and am multi-lingual.
And yet, when my oldest son was born I couldn’t get myself to hand him over to strangers to be raised – no matter how well educated the people were. I have never regretted my decision.
Kristine says that any woman can be a mother but I would suggest that any woman can give birth. Being a mother is a different thing.
I can always be replaced at a job, no matter how far up the ladder I get. But I can never be replaced as the mother of my children. They are so vulnerable and impressionable when they are little.
My children always came first, although over the years I have been active politically, have been a sought-after speaker, ran a business with my husband and extensively volunteered in my community.
At parties I would respond in a way that would either continue the conversation or stop it in its track: what do you do?
I am a stay-at-home mom.
That usually got me off the hook talking to that person. If I felt like talking, I shared about my political activism or my business.
Kristine states that only four per cent of Fortune 500 CEOs are females. Well, just like she and I did, we put our family first. It’s not that we couldn’t – it’s that we made a different choice.
The first four years in a child’s live are absolutely crucial. I congratulate Kristine for recognizing that her presence in her daughter’s life is important.
You won’t regret it, Kristine.
Doris Darvasi
Surrey