Wednesday, July 18, 2007

What I've Been Thinking About #2

Here's what I've been thinking about...

Have you seen that report that comes out every few years where someone lists all of the jobs that moms do and then what each of the salaries are for those jobs and then adds it all up to find out what a mom "should" be paid for all that she does. While I do see the point they are trying to make, I find it a little frustrating.

I refuse to feel like I need to justify Kris' and my choice for me to be a stay-at-home mom by saying, "See! I really am worth a lot even though it doesn't look like it! Look at all the stuff that I do!"

Actually, I'm not a psychologist, a nurse, a chauffeur, a personal shopper, a therapist, a maid, a cook, or whatever else is on that list. Of course, I try to find out what's wrong when my baby cries, I give him medicine if he's sick, I take him were he needs to go, I buy him what he needs to have, I just listen to him go on and on about his day (albeit, in a language I don't quite know), I clean up after him, and I make him food--but I think trying to "label" it all, even for the purposes of showing how much goes into mothering, somehow degrades it. Like it's only important or worthwhile if you can point out the marketability of it. I don't need a bunch of titles to make me feel better about doing what I love and doing what our cultures honors in word, but despises in attitude and deed.

Granted, moms do lots of things. I'm sure, as Asher grows, my skill set will grow as well. But I'm not getting those lame business cards printed up that list all of the hats I wear just so I can prove to the world that what I do matters. I'm not going to glory in the fact that, were I to receive a paycheck for what I do, it would be six figures. Who cares? That is applying the world's value system to a biblical calling. That's something that never ends well.

So, people who write dumb articles that try to assure me that I really am special, stop. I get all of the accolades I need from a husband who prizes me above all other women and a sweet little boy who can't stop drooling over me (ok, really ON me, but whatever.)

5 comments:

thelittlefields said...

Preach it, sister!

Laura said...

Amen to that! Like the new look!

lis said...

I guess I'm a bit out of the loop; I had no idea folks were trying to justify how we "mommy." I never really sat down to think about what all I do in a day, that is, a job description. Wow, we do alot when you down right think about it!!! Oh wait....I didn't need someone to tell me that I do alot!!!:)

Anonymous said...

I so agree. Amen! The very best calling is rearing a Godly heritage. Much love, Tye's Grammy

Anonymous said...

Awesome post. Sometimes it must seem like we stay at home mommies are unappreciated and maybe that's why people feel the need to validate us. I am in total agreement with you. If we are looking for the world to honor what we do, waiting on it's acknowledgments, then we are answering this call for the wrong reasons. Love this post and thanks for the wisdom your words brought to my thought- process in this area.

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