Many people give the role of motherhood a lot of positive lip service. They speak about it being the most important job there is, or comment on how vital good mothers are for the world. But for those who make the choice to be full time moms, they can suddenly be faced with the notion of being "just a mom".
We call them "stay-at-home" moms. The women who choose to forego paid employment to rear, nurture, and grow tomorrow's citizens. But not many "stay-at-home" moms I know stay at home all that much. Instead, they can be more readily found on playgrounds, in supermarkets, in chairs at pre-school board meetings, volunteering in classrooms, running school fundraisers, working the cafeteria lines, serving on the PTA, organizing community events, and attending countless classes and after school activities. They also get to be the ones who are at home to nurse their sick children, be their child's first reading, math and science teacher, and work "at home" teaching and training the most important commodity they have.
Women who choose the job of motherhood really do work. And while some believe that a well educated woman who chooses to "stay home" and raise children is wasting her potential, those who truly understand the job description realize how very smart of a choice being a full-time mother really is.
Women who choose full-time motherhood are the first teachers of tomorrow's citizens. When we begin to fully appreciate and celebrate the choice of full-time motherhood, we will no longer make well educated and dynamic women feel that choosing to raise their own kids is a waste of their skills and potential. Powerful, smart and creative women who are able to choose full-time motherhood, and do, should be applauded for both their insight, and foresight.
How wonderful - not only the article about stay at home moms - after all, I am a stay at home mom and cherish the appreciation that many seem to disregard - but the whole idea of Citizen Hunter. Encouraging each and every individual, no matter who they are, to speak out because their words have meaning, is a powerful message. Many people forget that their voices have resonance in the mundane world of survival.
Posted by: Allegra at April 6, 2006 07:19 AMI agree that being a full-time mother is an honorable profession. I also think that "working" mothers may be just as honorable if they arrange for proper care for their kids. Raising healthy children is far more complicated than just being with them. Fortunately, child-rearing is not rocket science and most parents can pick it up pretty quickly if they look and listen. I do believe that there is a recurring pattern in books and articles that is intended to frighten and guilt women that seek outside employment. I think that the glass ceiling is in place to keep liberals and progressives out of positions of authority by dividing them on just such issues. We need to accept that there are many paths to a full life and just as many families to lead them.
Posted by: Paul Barthle at April 8, 2006 02:57 AM