Not long ago I had someone tell me,
"You have time for stuff like that because you don't work. You're just a mom."
Don't you love it!
The poor thing, she was so clueless. So, I politely bowed out of the conversation and went on my merry way. The comment was not new to me and that incident will not be my last brush with similar remarks. I've been hearing this type of thing for years.
"You are wasting a perfectly good education."
"It must be nice not to have to work."
"What do you do all day?"
"Your house must be perfect since you don't have to go to work."
"I guess you don't really understand what it's like to have a busy schedule."
"I would love to stay at home and do whatever I want to do."
Like I said - Clueless!
Yesterday, I was deeply involved in my "just a mom" day when it dawned on me that I should take a snapshot of what being a mom is like.
And maybe I should share that with you,
you know,
you know,
just for fun!
The photo is our kitchen counter.
This is my work station.
Here I make lesson plans,
give class lectures,
perform science experiments,
perform science experiments,
grade papers,
referee arguments,
prepare meals,
stack dishes,
cut fabric,
prep finished products,
package products for shipping,
discuss life issues and politics,
give council and advice.
Oh my, this is only a portion of the list but I simply can not continue to bore you with the details.
All I want to do is point out that being a stay at home mom
does not equal a life of ease,
nor does it indicate that a woman doesn't have a job.
In fact, I have a 24/7 job with little time off and few vacations.
I am on call at all hours of the day and night.
Since I left my regular job 15 years ago, to be an at home mom,
I haven't received a pay check,
Since I left my regular job 15 years ago, to be an at home mom,
I haven't received a pay check,
much less a pay raise
but
I do have amazing fringe benefits.
My titles include but are not limited to the following:
mother,
teacher,
councilor,
nurse,
problem solver,
problem solver,
dietitian,
cook,
janitor,
seamstress,
lost object finder,
lost object finder,
small business owner,
lover,
friend,
office manager,
writer,
and
life coach.
Are you a stay at home mom?
Make a list of all the jobs you do.
Make a list of titles you could be given.
You are pretty important
and don't let anyone tell you otherwise
or even imply that your work is in some way inferior to any other woman's work.
You are valuable!
You are needed!
You are appreciated!
4 comments:
Hold your head up high. You are doing the most important work in the world--raising the next generation. Where would this world be without those who are willing to be "just a mom"?
Well Said, Sonja!!!! =) Best "job" I ever had!!!
"Her children rise up and call her BLESSED!"
And they are most blessed to have you!
"Lost object finder" - love it! I'm right there with you as a multi-tasker extraordinaire! As my children are entering adulthood, I am finding more time to "do what I want," but I well remember the years of having very little time to myself. A good mom is a blessing to her children, and a good wife is a blessing to her husband. Often it is the mother who sets the tone of the home, whether the home is a safe place, a refuge full of love OR whether it is one filled with strife, anger, and discouragement.
"Do not grow weary in doing good," Momma.
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