You don't have to read this post. This post is for me to get my feelings out there... and there are so many. These thoughts are centered around the comments about Ann Romney having never worked a day in her life and my thoughts go down many different tracks and really you don't have to read this so don't get upset with me... I'm not trying to offend anyone in case things come across that way, this is just something that means everything to me.
I know that the person was trying to say how could Ann have an opinion on the economy when she hasn't had to struggle and worry about how she was going to support her children. So does that mean that you can only have an opinion about Breast Cancer if you have survived it? I don't know what experiences Ann has had in her life. Maybe she has always had a comfortable life financially, but if they were able to save that much money they must have learned something about budgeting at sometime. And maybe their parents were rich, and maybe they gave them all their money, and maybe not. Maybe they actually worked hard to add to their wealth. But who cares? Ann has had different struggles in her life, such as Breast Cancer and MS from the reports I've read.... I think I might rather struggle with money than health. But that is all another point, we don't know who she has met and talked to. We don't know what charities she has worked with or what leadership roles she has held to help others. The comments I have heard defending the negative comments of not working have been that how can she understand enough to tell her husband that it is something important that women are worried about.... ummm... do I personally have to worry about something to know that others are worried about it. Do I have to be or have been afraid of the dark if I am to help my children if they are? You can be aware of others worries and fears without experiencing them yourself... that is why we are all different with different lives and different struggles.
Another thing that has made me really upset has been this idea going around that only the wealthy have the luxury of being stay at home moms. I know that some women don't have a choice... my mother-in-law was left a widow with four living kids when her youngest was less than 2 weeks old when her husband and oldest son were killed in a car accident. She had to struggle to raise her kids and yes she had to work and I am grateful for the sacrifices that she made for her family. My mom felt that she needed to work to help with the bills but she found ways to still be at home while doing it. She ran a day care in our home in my early years, and once we moved and all her kids were in school she worked during the school day so that she could be home with us. My senior year of high school was she was offered a full time job she almost didn't take it cause I was still at home, even if it was only for a few more months. I encouraged her to take it and I noticed a difference and missed her dearly during those months even if I was too cool to admit it at the time. There are also many women who choose to work and I think that is great if that is what they want to do. I respect their choice. Every family is different and only a women and her husband with the help of God know what is right for their family and no one else can judge that choice because we don't know their circumstances. The comments that have upset me have been posted as comments in articles (I realize that I shouldn't read these cause they just make me mad and yet somehow I can't help myself) is the idea that SAHM (stay at home moms) are lucky or have won the lottery at being able to stay home. I am grateful that my husband and I can make it work, but it's not because we are lucky it is because we work hard to make it happen and trust in God that it is right for us. Right after Adam was born I tried to work. Scott and I tried to juggle our time so that someone was always home with Adam. I would go to work in tears and Scott wouldn't be able to get done everything he needed to. While it didn't make any sense financially we prayed about it and put our trust in the Lord and I quit my job after only 2 months. Since then we have survived on savings, student loans, sacrifice, and help from God. Things are getting better, but the last 2 years have been hard. I could have gone back to work at anytime, but it wasn't worth it to us. That was a choice that we made and for us that choice has been worth it. I have tried to find extra ways of picking up money, like babysitting to help out or working 1 day a week, but my main focus has always been my little boy. He drives me crazy... and the time after his nap until dad gets home is usually the hardest part of the day when I wonder why this is so important to me, but I look over at him now as he watches a movie while I type this and I know that it is all worth it. He is little for such a short time and I want to be the one to teach him everyday. That is what is important to me so that is what I made happen. Please don't look down on me and call me "privileged" in that negative voice because I made this choice and trusted that God would help it all to work out if I took the steps to be a Stay At Home Mom.
10 years ago
