By: Aster Yilma

I want to remind our readers of my purpose in writing  Parents Corner . It is to share honestly my own trials and tribulations, sad and funny moments and my successes and failures in my journey of parenthood, in the hope that other parents might
d my experience helpful in their own journey.  Parents Corner must not be a substitute for professional help.

My husband and I had decided that I would stop working and take care of our seven months old boy. Even though my plan was to stay home until my son starts kindergarten, I am already bored, frustrated, exhausted and overwhelmed. I really want to go back to work. I grew up in Ethiopia with seven siblings. My mother was a great mother and housewife who never complained until the day she died. If she could handle raising eight children why can t I handle one? I am going back and forth with the decision to go back to work. I am so confused. Help!
Selamawit
Monterey, CA

For starters, you can t compare yourself with your mother. When she raised her children, she was in another place, at another time. She met different challenges and a unique set of circumstances. She had a different support system. She was raised differently from you. Most importantly, she was of a different psychological make-up. I am sure there were times that she was as frustrated, exhausted and overwhelmed as you are. Your mother may not have complained to you in particular, but my guess is that she shared her feelings with others.