Who takes care of the caretakers?

I quit my job of 10+ years almost a year ago. At times I feel slightly embarrassed with how long it’s taken me to get my new business up and running.

And then I take a deep breath and remember what I’ve been doing throughout this pandemic (and most of my life).

Caretaking.

It’s exhausting. And the demands fall exponentially on the shoulders of women and mothers, and on the shoulders of BIPOC women at an even more crushing weight than white women.

Teachers. Healthcare staff. Daycare providers. Supportive care providers.

I didn’t start my new business right away because I needed to rest. Truly rest. Take one thing off my plate and allow that part of my brain to go dormant.

We can’t go 100% on all of the things, all of the time.

Over the course of the pandemic I have been the primary caretaker for my 3 year old son, my adult sister who has special needs (her care was also impacted by the pandemic) and on occasion a friend’s baby.

I’m a great caretaker. I also don’t want to be a full time caretaker.

Part time? Yes. I love being home with my son part time. It compliments our personalities and our lives well.

And I have to point out the fact that I have the unearned privilege of only working part time- I know that’s not an option for everyone.

But I also want to take care of myself. I want to put myself first in some aspects of my life. That’s not selfish. There’s just not really anyone else who’s going to do it. If I want to be taken care of, I need to take care of myself.

Because at the end of the day… who's taking care of the caretakers?

The mothers. The teachers. The healthcare staff. The daycare providers. The supportive care providers.

They need care. We need care. So, who is taking care of us? Who's taking care of you?