I was having one of those parenting moments: I was playing with my two boys (3 and 5) and for once we were all relatively calm and not hurling ourselves across the room with gleeful hyperness (them, not me). I was off of work and not stressed or running around as usual and I was ready to have a Hallmark Moment. So I asked them "What do you think Mommies do?", assuming the answer would be something sweet that I would write in their baby books like "Mommies love" or "Mommies give cuddles". But instead I got an answer from my 3 year old that I still am chewing on:
"Mommies Work!"
Sigh.
As a working mom, feeling guilty is just a regular state of being. So of course my first thought in response to that statement was the feeling of little guilt knives stabbing me in the chest. But then another emotion started to rise up and that one was pride. Pride in showing my sons that a mom can work and contribute financially to the family, pride that they see me as doing something more than just waiting on them hand and foot. Then back to guilt again for not being the kind of mom that can do what I think is the hardest job of all-staying home with kids without losing your mind.
We women have been debating the work/stay home issue for as long as women have been in the work force, and nobody seems to have the answer to what is "best" because there IS no answer. Just moms like me, feeling torn in multiple directions and trying to make the best family situation they can come up with.
Sigh.
Laura Nickerson
Host
"Broad Topics Radio and TV"
www.broadtopicstv.com
"Mommies Work!"
Sigh.
As a working mom, feeling guilty is just a regular state of being. So of course my first thought in response to that statement was the feeling of little guilt knives stabbing me in the chest. But then another emotion started to rise up and that one was pride. Pride in showing my sons that a mom can work and contribute financially to the family, pride that they see me as doing something more than just waiting on them hand and foot. Then back to guilt again for not being the kind of mom that can do what I think is the hardest job of all-staying home with kids without losing your mind.
We women have been debating the work/stay home issue for as long as women have been in the work force, and nobody seems to have the answer to what is "best" because there IS no answer. Just moms like me, feeling torn in multiple directions and trying to make the best family situation they can come up with.
Sigh.
Laura Nickerson
Host
"Broad Topics Radio and TV"
www.broadtopicstv.com