"Women today are being encouraged by some to have it all--generally, all simultaneously: money, travel, marriage, motherhood, and separate careers in the world.... Doing things sequentially--filling roles one at a time at different times--is not always possible, as we know, but it gives a woman the opportunity to do each thing well in its time and to fill a variety of roles in her life.... [A woman] may fit more than one career into the various seasons of life. She need not try to sing all the verses of her song at the same time" (James E Faust, September 1986, A message to my granddaughters: Becoming ""great women," Ensign, 16(9), 18, 19).
I love this quote! The world's view of women is so irritating to me. It is very selfish. I got my hair cut the other day and the girl cutting it commented that I looked tired. I always look tired. What's new. I have a 1-year-old and and 2-year-old. Who wouldn't look tired under those conditions. In the course of the haircut it came out that I was a stay-at-home mom. Those are a rare commodity out here. Towards the end of the haircut the girl suggested that I needed to get out and take some time for myself. I was bothered by it because it wasn't a suggestion to just go out and get refreshed, it was more like a 'for heaven sakes put your kids in daycare and take some time for yourself' suggestion. It is true that staying home is hard for me. The times I've gotten out to consult felt parties or do story times have been great. It is much more immediately gratifying than the long term benefits of staying at home (i.e. getting a paycheck and recognition sometimes feels better than wiping runny noses, changing poopy diapers, cleaning up "accidents" all day!) . But I stay home because I want to be with my girls. I want to be there at every crossroad and watch them grow. I want them to know they can rely on having their mom around every day. I want them to have that stability. As a single mom, my mom had to work growing up. I was in daycare and baby sat. I remember desperately wanting her around, but she could never be there because she had to provide for us. She did her very best, and the very best I can do it to be there for my daughters and ensure that they never long for me the way I longed for my mother. It is my gift to them.
When are children are grown I am sure I will have other seasons of my life...the opportunities to pursue other things. Maybe a career, maybe more money! :) A life-time can be 80 plus years! Children are only around for a short 18 years. There will be plenty of time for other things!
Anyways, I love this quote!
4 comments:
Love this... thank you.
I always think it is funny how our society focuses so much on actions instead of the motives behind those actions. It is indeed our motives and intent that will eventually condemn or elevate us. I think people think, well working for myself to earn a little extra money is not bad. And taking some time away from my kids is not bad. What matters is our motives and our intentions behind those actions.
The same goes for the other way around, if a mom is staying home with her kids but is full of resentment for the life that she is missing out on, than that isn't good either.
Whew! Sorry, I guess your post just got me thinking too, and I felt like venting!! :)
I love reading your blog. Your attitude uplifts me and helps me realize that staying at home with my children is a privilege. Thank you for your example.
And the movie... Back to the Future!!! I love that movie.
Good post. No, great post. I admire stay at home Mom's. I think their jobs are harder than anyone elses.
I get comments like that a lot more since moving to Georgia. I really appreciate that quote, thanks for sharing. And your girls are certainly lucky and will be forever grateful for you.
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