Yesterday was women's day

And I didn't do anything to mark it. I heard a lot on the radio about Canada-wide rallies over the scrapped national child care plan. The Conservatives threw the plan out that the Liberals had signed with provinces before the election. People are upset. And I don't blame them.

As a stay at home parent, who is fully committed to having a stay at home parent, I really love the idea of getting a potential extra $100 per month per child under 6. But it's really just a supplement to the child tax credit. Word is that lower income families won't get the full $100 per month either. As a family who is technically considered low income, I really appreciate our child tax credit every month - now with 3 kids, it covers my van payment and insurance on both vehicles. It helps our financial picture immensely. More would be nice.

However, extra money in my pocket doesn't do much besides help me buy more stuff. I don't need childcare. But lots of people do. For whatever reason they need it, they need it. Quality, well priced child care is needed. I could be of the opinion that since I don't need child care, there is nothing wrong with for-profit, pricey child care. But I'm looking at the big picture. For me it's not just about lower priced childcare, it's availability of that child care. There simply aren't enough spaces for people to put their children into childcare - especially in more rural areas. $100 a month does nothing for you if you don't have anywhere to have your child cared for!

Much as I believe in staying at home, and know it's best for our family, I know that not everyone is in that place. Single parents usually need to work, there are lots of reasons why people feel that both parents need to work and bring in income. For me, it's not a SAHM vs. working mom thing - it's about quality childcare at afforadable prices, with available spaces for those who need childcare, whatever their reasons. Sure, I love the idea of having more money in my pockets, but in the bigger picture, is that the best option?

I don't know. We made the decision for me to be home, that we would raise our children ourselves and not pay some *expert* to do it. Not everyone has made that decision, or is able to make that choice because of circumstances. I would rather that the children of those parents, either through circumstances or personal choice, have quality childcare.