By Arabella Asis
Being a mother is one of the toughest jobs in the world and there are various ways to approach it. In the Philippines, some mothers take the role of staying at home and devote their time for their children, while others have to overcome the distance and work abroad to provide for their families.
Both roles come with unique challenges and rewards, therefore, a mother has to make the best decision for herself and her family.
Homemaker’s passion
Mothers’ choice to stay at home with their children is a no-brainer, as they want to be the primary caregiver for their kids and be there for every moment–from their first steps to their biggest milestones.
For 31 years, Imelda Pasion Lafue has been pouring all her love and time into making her home full of passion.
Lafue decided to leave her job as a sales assistant after giving birth to her firstborn to focus on taking care of her children.
Despite that, Lafue, now a mother of three, described being a stay-at-home mom as an incredibly rewarding job for her as she had the privilege of watching her children grow up.
“Best moment ko na lahat ng anak ko nahatid at nasundo ko sila sa school at [nakaka-attend] ako sa lahat ng special na okasyon sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Lafue stated.
Stay-at-home moms can also create a home environment that is safe, nurturing, and supportive.
For instance, Lafue shared that her fondest activity at home is watching Korean dramas and exchanging stories with her youngest child.
However, being a stay-at-home mom is not always easy.
For Lafue, she has always considered juggling her career and being a mom for her to be able to contribute financially.
“Ang hardest time ko naman kapag stay-at-home mom [ka] lang ay [‘yung] kapag dumadating ‘yung oras na kapos kayo sa financial para sa pamilya mo, ‘yung gustong-gusto mong ibigay lahat ng kailangan nila pero wala kang pera,” she expressed.
Love beyond the borders
While most Filipinos tend to seek better career opportunities abroad, the majority of them are driven by financial necessity or a desire to give their children comfortable lives.
In 2003, Meliza Dela Cruz took a leap of faith as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), where she eventually reaped the fruits of her labor.
“I got the chance to buy things or gifts for my children and I am able to provide the needs of my kids,” she shared.
Although she can financially provide for her family, having to work miles away from home made her job as a mom a tougher one.
“Di kayo makapag-usap [nang] matagal kahit gusto mo pa, for the reason na minsan ‘di tugma ang oras [niyo] at limitado pa,” she lamented.
Indeed, being a mother is a tough job and there is no absolute correct way to do it.
Regardless of which path they choose, all mothers deserve the recognition and support for the hard work that they do as they play an essential role in shaping the future not just of their children, but of the society as a whole. – cf
