Working moms or stay-at-home moms — no one has it easier

I always knew that I would want to stay home with my baby. I remember — in my pre-baby days — wondering how my co-workers could spend so much time away from their young children? They’d check in every few hours with day care or, if they were lucky, a nanny, and rush home to at least try to spend a meal and some bedtime together with their kids.

I vowed (rather judgmentally) that I would never dump my child on someone else. Instead, I’d stay home with my child, maybe even take on some freelance work. That would be ideal. I’ve always loved to write, so I imagined myself raising my baby while still being able to write from home and have an income. I’d finally have the time to do things I really wanted to do, too — like organizing my photos into scrapbooks, teaching myself how to bake and running with the dog in the mornings. My home would be immaculate, I’d make dinner every night and, most of all, I’d be the one caring for my child.

The only problem with this picture is that none of the above has happened (yet), aside from taking care of my child, of course. The other problem with this picture is that while I’m daydreaming of domestic bliss, there are bills to pay and a college education I must plan for (not to mention, I should pay mine off as well). Unfortunately, my financial responsibilities are not of the freelance variety. No, they’re definitely full-time!

The truth is, in any capacity, all parents are “working.” Nothing insults a stay-at-home parent more than assuming that she has all the time in the world to do whatever she wants, and I bet if you told a working parent that she has it easier (with catching a break from the kids and domestic chores and all) she would highly disagree. Being at home with a child is a lot of work. It has humbled me beyond my imagination. There are days when being at home really is blissful, and then the other half of the time I question myself, like any other parent. I find myself thinking, “Am I doing the right thing?” and, “Is it possible to ever have a clean house again?”

For me, the decision has not been easy. It’s one I struggle with every day. Working from home seems to provide a balance, but it doesn’t come without its own set of challenges. I understand now why so many parents, mothers especially, leave the workforce to raise their kids. It’s a crucial time that you truly never get back. On the other hand, work gives us a chance to develop our skills and builds our confidence — and those are qualities any parent would want to exemplify for her children’s benefit. So how do you decide what’s right?

I can assure any parent that — no matter what you decide — you will always have doubts. In many cases, there are no clear answers. You do what’s best for your family and trust in your decision. No one parent has it easier over the other.

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Friends Academy Summer Camps

<div>Our programs offer engaging and hands-on activities that give children the opportunity to learn, socialize and have lots of fun!</div> <p>The Explorers Program (Age 3 – Rising Grade 2) includes theme-based activities in addition to daily sports, swim sessions, and two weekly specialty classes. Our specialty classes include learning science, practicing gymnastics, fireless cooking, and more.</p> <p>The Trailblazer Program (Rising Grades 3-8) allows children the opportunity to develop new interests by selecting two different specialty programs of choice each week in addition to campus-wide activities and recreational swim sessions. Specialty classes include cooking, sports, app building, dance, chess, art and much more!</p>

Ghostlight Theater Camp

<p>Ghostlight Theater Camp is a summer theater camp for campers ages 9-17. Providing 10-day, 3-week, and 6-week programs that combine high-caliber theater training with a traditional summer camp experience. </p> <p>Working with Broadway artists both in classes and in productions, campers will have access to skill development, mentorships, and lifelong connections that will follow them beyond camp. Ghostlight focuses on ensemble theatre values and practicies that support individuality and self-expression in the context of community. This means that no camper at Ghostlight is in the back row or sitting on the side. Each day brings multiple opportunities to perform and create with fellow campers in an environment filled with support. </p> <p>When not making theater, campers can enjoy the benefits of a summer camp in Maine that no other theater camp offers. Stargazing in a hammock, walks in the woods, downtime by the pool, and quiet time reading in the Gazebos with the sound of wind all around are some of highlights of a summer unplugged and away from screens. </p> <p>Finally, the most meaningful and lasting gift of a summer at Ghostlight is the friendships made that last a lifetime. Though the love of theater brings us together, and the work we do stands out from other experiences, the community focus of Ghostlight Theater Camp is why we hear, year after year, that campers cannot wait to return. </p>

World of Discovery Day Camp

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Over 30 Years of Summer Day Camp Fun & Excitement in Bayside, Queens! For kids ages 4 to 15. </span></p> <p class="gmail-style4" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" align="left"><strong>An Adventure A Day... </strong></p> <p class="gmail-style4" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">At World of Discovery Summer Day Camp of Bayside, Queens, NY summertime is a season for children to expand their horizons, explore new territories, and discover new and exciting things about themselves.</p> <p class="gmail-style4" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Whether the children are enrolled in the Discovery Sports Academy or the Discovery Summer Day Camp, they build new skills, discover new things, make new friends, and realize a new found confidence.</p> <p> </p> <p class="gmail-style4" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Through our structured programming, campers are encouraged to participate and excel in those activities that interest them the most. Both group and individual instruction is offered, and children are generally grouped according to age. Positive reinforcement and encouragement are the cornerstones of all World of Discovery Summer Day Camp programming.</p>