Child care and house chores are very important especially if you are a parent. You must take good care of your child and provide them with the necessities of life. Coupled with paying close attention to your child, there are also some things you have to handle in terms of house chores thereby keeping the home organized.
However, when the opportunity for immigration to Canada knocks on the door, and the avenue of job opportunities, including the comfort that comes with it and low cost of living has been projected by you, then the needful has to be done effectively. You might be moving there alone or with your child, have to understand that even if you are going to get preoccupied with several jobs handled over there, there might be time to look after or spend time with your child. As an immigrant, you must consider your children as your utmost priority regardless of whatever happens.
Meanwhile, many parents in Canada find it very hard to focus on their children while devoting their time solely to their job and other chores meant to be handled when returning from hectic shifts. Nevertheless, in Canada, it’s not a new thing to strike a balance between taking care of your child and handling house chores as an Immigrant. If your husband appears to always be busy with work then you need to come to certain terms and agreements concerning the upkeep of your child.
Children are a blessing from God and a virtue to the parents. Therefore, if you’re an immigrant who just moved to Canada (for certain reasons) the importance of caring and nurturing your child can never be overemphasized. Keep perusing through this article to discover how to handle child chores and house care as an immigrant in Canada.
Why Do Most People Immigrate To Canada?
Canada is drawn to several people around the world due to its reputation for being one of the best places to be owing to its high quality of life, job opportunities, and also economic development.
When it comes to a stable and developed economy with different industrial sectors working perfectly, it undoubtedly shows that Canada ranks among those developed countries with the ease of conducting several businesses that attract people seeking employment and career advancement.
Canada’s strong social welfare system which includes the universal healthcare system, quality education, and even comprehensive social services will even entice parents to be willing to secure a perfect and conducive environment for their children. The strong social welfare system contributes to a sense of stability and belonging among everyone in Canada regardless of where they come from.
Another reason why immigrants will like to settle with their children in Canada is because of the welcoming immigration policies of the Canadian Embassy. For skilled workers and entrepreneurs willing to build up their brand workforce, the Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Program facilitate their immigration process with ease. This is why Canada has gained a heavy reputation as a place for innovation and creativity.
What Are The Challenges Faced By Immigrant Parents In Canada?
When adapting to the norms and values of an entirely new country like Canada, there surely be certain challenges to be encountered by immigrant parents and this can also affect your child one way or the other which also involves the parenting experiences as well as the child’s wellbeing. Let’s navigate through some key points of these challenges.
- Adapting To A New Cultural Adjustment: This can be very overwhelming because most immigrant parents will find themselves with unfamiliar customers and language barriers blocking the means to effective communication. As a result, they won’t be able to connect with their children and get to know what their experience feels like.
- Parenting style: immigrants can’t possibly compare the parenting style of regions like Africa to that of the North American style. Therefore it is very important to balance the traditional values with the expectations of a new society so as not to lead to confusion and tension in the family.
- Isolation and Support Networks: During the first stay in Canada with your child, it would be very difficult to connect and interact with people, as many parents will try to find the right school to enroll their children where they will relate to other peers. For tents, they will be glued to their work and find no one to connect with.
- Employment Challenges: It’s not all about experiencing the wonders of the Great White North only but finding a good-paying job to cater to your family and enrolling your child in a good school. Although it seems easier to secure the job, the table might turn in some cases since some requirements are yet to be met. This will lead to unemployment with psychological costs faced by the family. As time goes on immigrant parents would understand the system and try to conform with terms attached to getting employed in Canada. Subsequently, a stable standard of living would ensue.
5 Ways To Handle House Chores And Child Care as an Immigrant in Canada
There must be a need to strike a balance between handling the house chores and child care particularly if you seem to be a busy parent. Doing both things at the same time might be stressful but be assured that the ways to handle them as an immigrant will leave you optimistic about its results when you finally implement them. These five ways are stated below:
- Prepare Your Mind
As an immigrant parent, especially if you are a woman, you must prepare your mind on how to deal with several situations. If you gave birth before relocating to Canada you have some plans for how you’ll create some time for your child every day especially when the child is an infant. You should also be able to explain your situation to your employers at work on how you will need to be given certain breaks or shifts to have some time to be with your child. Regarding the house chores, you should also label out plans and how to go about them in the best way you find convenient. Most importantly, preparing your mind means that you need to be actively prepared for such exercise so as not to feel overburdened.
- Understand that Child Care is a Huge Responsibility
Children are a special gift from God and you are meant to be the guardian to your child by taking responsibility for whatever happens to him. Understand that it’s not easy to take care of your child and that you will have to do what it takes to give the child all the essential support and care it needs. This is true because Canada takes issues of child care very seriously and parents can be penalized if they do anything contrary to the laws regulating child support in the country so you have to be very vigilant.
- Get Your partner involved
The relationship between you and your partner should be a very strong one such that both of you will able to communicate effectively. During the process, you could bring about the issue of division of responsibility regarding child care and important chores that need to be sorted out. Therefore, this creates an avenue in such a way that both of you would be able to acknowledge each other’s strengths, weaknesses, availability, and preferences. The importance of sharing duties like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and even taking care of children will remove the burden of all the work upon one individual. Even if both of you are immigrants collaborating together would be the perfect solution which leads to a harmonious household as a result of mutual effort and teamwork.
- Take advantage of Canadian Government Benefits
Be on the lookout for any Governmental benefits announced, because Canada typically offers several programs designed to assist families and also engage in child care services. Most of the programs are designed for the benefit of immigrants and this is where you could also tap the source of its benefits to your household. The reason why such programs are embarked upon by the government is because the Canadian government recognizes the importance of work-life balance, especially for new parents. There are many options specifically available such as parental leave, daycare, and others. Also, look into childcare subsidies that can help reduce the financial strain of quality childcare services. Meanwhile, understanding these benefits will empower you to make informed decisions about your family’s well-being.
- Take it a Day at a Time
After realizing that the relocation to Canada can be overwhelming, immigrants should manage their expectations realistically and also embrace the philosophy of taking one day at a time. Firefly, set manageable goals for each day, focusing on both house chores and childcare tasks. Secondly, create a schedule that includes time for yourself and your family. Lastly, do well to prioritize tasks on urgency and importance, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. When you integrate small moments of self-care, it can prevent burnout and make the adjustment process smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my child to Canada while on work permit?
If you’re offered a job in Canada and you’re applying for a work permit, you can likely bring your spouse and kids along. Your school-age children can attend Canadian schools without needing separate study permits.
Is life easy in Canada for immigrants?
Canada is a great choice for immigrants to start anew. The quality of life is high, even though the cost of living might be a bit more. Good-paying jobs are available to balance things out.
What is the age limit for work permit in Canada?
If you’re a foreign worker, you should be at least 18 to get a Canadian work permit. But if you’re applying under the International Experience Canada program, there’s no upper age limit.
Can I bring my siblings to Canada permanently?
Helping your siblings come to Canada permanently is quite challenging. It’s possible only if you meet certain conditions, like being considered a “Lonely Canadian,” or if your siblings can be part of your parental sponsorship application.
Do parents get citizenship through birth of their child in Canada?
Canada is one of the few countries that automatically grants citizenship to children born on its soil, even if the parents aren’t citizens. However, just having a child born in Canada doesn’t mean parents automatically become citizens too.
Can I bring my cousins to Canada?
Under specific situations, you can sponsor other relatives like cousins, aunts, or uncles to come to Canada. But remember, you can sponsor only one relative and their dependents, not multiple cousins.
Can I travel to Canada while pregnant?
If you’re a temporary resident with a tourist visa or eTA, being pregnant won’t prevent you from entering Canada. Pregnancy alone isn’t a reason for denial.
How much money do you get for having a baby in Canada?
For each child, you could receive up to $6,765 per year if they’re under 6 years old, and $5,708 per year for ages 6 to 17. The amount depends on your family income and the number and ages of your children.
Conclusion
After considering all the steps to implement, you will know that taking care of your child and performing house chores in Canada requires a considerate approach and a dash of adaptability. Also, Finding a healthy balance between your obligations becomes imperative when your child’s welfare is put first. Because of its strong social safety system, thriving economy, and open immigration policy, Canada is attractive to immigrants. Along the way, you can experience difficulties with your job, loneliness, adjusting to a new parenting approach, and cultural differences.