Our daughters are now 15 and 18, and while we both worked through most of their childhood, we spent all of our remaining free time with them. I took jobs that allowed for flexible time off, low travel, working from home, etc., and one of the reasons we lived where we did was so that grandparents could fill in as necessary. I don’t know that we viewed these things as sacrifices, as we both adore our kids.

BUT — the one thing this article, and none of the people commenting so far, mentions is the role of the father in all of this. You mostly say “parents” but the focus is on the feminine as if only “feminine” types can raise children well.

If feminism had a toll on the stay-at-home mom, it also created the possibility of stay-at-home dads and more hands-on dads. Since my husband is a teacher (yeah, one of those so-called feminine jobs), he gets out of work earlier and has summers off. As a result, he’s been able to enjoy more time with the girls than most parents do — something for which he is very thankful.

Is he “feminine”? Not really, but it seems to have worked out okay. I think the girls are turning out pretty well, despite two working parents and more time with the “non-feminine” one. They get great grades, work hard, are awesome gymnasts, have good friends, are kind to others, and generally polite.

Yes, people should spend more quality time with their kids, and yes, corporations and society in general should make it easier. But let’s make this truly a “parent” discussion and not about women, please!