Felicia,
There are two faces of a coin. One face reflect the affection of a hubby to allow his wife to enjoy the fruits of pregnancy (see:太太). The other face highlights the reluctance of a possibly loss of income/power should a woman decides to employ herself as a SAHM. I can't speak for my wife, but i leave the option to her. She took up the option to quit her job once she was pregnant, staying relevance to the roles of SAHM and wife for fifteen months. I opined she accept the offer more positively than negatively. I still think the issue may be propelled by the mixed hormones changes, especially in the areas of emotional and mental preparedness.
Veniz,
Thanks for sharing your interesting methods of communication. Maybe I could mellow my replies by listening in depth before rebuking. Afterall, humans are made with two ears and one mouth. Listen more and talk less.
Cactus,
Wouldn't it be rather disruptive to be out only for two hours? Ultimately, there are many ways to skin a cat. As highlighted to Felicia, I guess my wife made the option to stay at home. Prior the cold war, she did indicate interest to stay relevant to the work. Notwithstanding that stats indicated that men may have a shorter life span, it becomes more prudent for families to build its finance muscle as early as possible. I guess time is the best element. I would support in whatever decisions she makes. Thanks for the kind offer.
JP,
My mind was immersed with your articles, which proved to be worthy of reading. I concurred that there are many factors that that proved parents are the most influential factor. I could summarised your contribution as mimicry, where brain is designed to learn by copying. It's the same mimicry that mould how the kid develop its character. There are many studies ranging from right/left brain development, creative thinking, memory building, mind mapping, to name a few that epitomized the molding. Issac Newton doesn't do flash card to discover gravity. Bottom-line, I agree that parents are influential but like one rightfully pointed out (cant remember who), but there are many other determinants in the journey.
Especially when this forum is characterised by "Mother"-hood forum, no doubt that the flavour leaned towards mother. I am not here to go against the flow, especially when I don't have to go through the labour of pain, there are equals sacrifice that men take too. While it may be that men choose to hide in their caves (that's why women talks at least twice as much more), it is not exactly a bed of roses out there. In this instance, I cook better than my wife, and that doesn't meant that the sperm provider is a better chef.
There are instances, where you could chat with your friends, take the same nap with your baby (rem. my wife was given an option to have a maid, but nvm) during daylight hours, and when kids are getting older, the flexibility to roam around shopping centers becomes routinisation. Washing at the river is a past with washing machine - Technology drives convenience. There will be not end to comparisons.
The crux I believe in my silence war were largely due to the transitional change of emotions, and possibly poor time management (due to meticulous mannerism). End of the day, everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, there are some whom can do it seamlessly, there will be some who struggles. That doesn't mean that the one who struggles has 18 hours in a day! But I thanked you for the article, which widened my understanding how challenging a SAHM can be. After all, a mother's love is ocean deep.
To the rest of the ladies,
Pls carried on with your methods of food preparation, taking notes along the way. Didn’t know broccoli caused gases? How?