A working woman's emotional post has resonated with parents worldwide as she grapples with the challenges of juggling work and family life.
The heartfelt message, shared on TikTok by user p_west_, captures the raw emotions of a mother who faces the daily struggle with limited time with her child due to her busy schedule.
In the video, we see Paige Wester, a 31-year-old woman originally from America but now living in England, tearfully driving to pick up her son from daycare.
The caption reads: "POV: you're crying on your drive from work to go pick your baby up from daycare, knowing you'll have just about an hour with them until bedtime. You feel like you're missing so much of their little life and questioning yourself. Does this get easier? I can't help but wonder if I made a mistake. I miss him so much."
Paige, who was a full-time stay-at-home mom for 17 months, recently returned to work. She explains that it was rewarding to be a stay-at-home mom. She feared losing touch with her career if she stayed out of the workforce for too long. Her decision to work part-time (three days a week) has been a significant adjustment for both her and her son.
Driving home after a long day at work, Paige grapples with guilt. She empathises with other women who face similar challenges, especially those who return to work even earlier than she did. Her heartfelt video struck a chord with viewers, garnering over 1.2 million views and 70,700 likes on TikTok.
Opinions on the matter vary. Some, like Nikki McHugh, stress the importance of daycare for a child's social, emotional, and academic development. Others, like Emi, have made sacrifices to prioritise parenting. Clara Montiel, however, shares a different perspective, longing for a return to normalcy through work.
User 1988dr3am's comment is a great reminder: "You will hate yourself for it when you are older. Trust me. I missed everything, and it's all that ever mattered to me and I ever mattered to."