by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, first appeared at https://msfconversations.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/the-toughest-job-in-the-world/
My late mother with her grandchildren
A mother’s job is to be on call – 24/7.
A mother has to multi-task between running the household, caring for the family, deal with ‘skirmishes’ between siblings…and so much more!
I think being a mother is the toughest job in the world. No previous experience required, but plenty of on-the-job training available. Although tough, the job comes with love, care and concern.
I remember my own late mother became the beacon of light for my family. She worked very hard in the day, cooking in the early hours of the morning before going to work. Sometimes, I wondered what kept her going. It was clearly the love, care and concern that she had for the family. It was also her sense of responsibility for the family. My siblings and I are privileged to be part of this journey with her, which in turn shaped our character and lives.
Today, a woman’s role in society has evolved. Many mothers are active in the workforce. The proportion of dual-income married couples has also increased.
Juggling between work and family life is a struggle many mothers face. Previously, women were more likely to cite family-related responsibilities as the main reason for not working. Such choices are often personal, as all families have their unique situations.
We have put in place a number of initiatives to better support parenthood and families. This includes more family-friendly infrastructure and policies such as paternity leave and CDA First Step to help defray childcare costs.
Now, we have the choice to build and maintain strong family ties. I urge all dads out there to get more involved with (not only!) housework but in child care. I’m sure many of you can become as pro as Mom in no time!
This Mother’s Day, let’s take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices that the mothers in our life have made. Let’s give our moms and wives all the love they have given us, back to them.
Dads out there, let’s share the load. Let’s start small. I’m sure it will go a long way in truly supporting our wives.