When Nadine Silverthorne put out the call for parent bloggers with a unique voice in Canada to write a post for a chance to become part of the Today’s Parent team, I struggled to see what is unique about my story as a parent and a person. I am not a parent who blogs in the north, or from a small town. I am not a parent who is single and takes care of their children by themselves, I have a committed partner who makes my life possible. I am a Maritimer in exile, living in Vancouver with no chance of ever buying a house. I like to think I am culturally rich and house poor.
I love being a parent living in Vancouver, even though I struggle with not having family near. I love that my days are full of theatre, piano, ballet. I love that my boys have a different childhood than Anthony and I had. I hate that my boys have a different childhood than Anthony and I had. I am conflicted.
I hate that we are so far away from family. I hate that my boys don’t have a chance to stay at their grandparents house for the weekend. It would be nice to be able to go out for a full night and not have pay a fortune for a babysitter, if you could find a babysitter that you would trust with your children overnight. I feel guilty that my sons don’t know my family as well as they should. I miss the big family get togethers and it makes me sad that it doesn’t happen very often because we are 6000 km away from home. I love that we have made our own family of friends here in Vancouver. I love that we have friends we can call on in an emergency. I love that despite difference our family is close and our boys feel those bonds.
I am not sure if it makes me a unique voice in Canadian parenting, but I am sure that it makes me someone other parents can relate to. There are so many parents raising children away from family. There are so many parents who have parks and culture but no backyard. There are so many parents like me.
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Want to read more? Here are a few posts I am proud to have written:
What a great post! My husband and I are also from the Maritimes and living out west(Edmonton). It is incredibly hard to raise kids so far away from family and close friends.
I think you definitely have a unique voice. Good luck!