I knew since I was 17 that I wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom and homeschool my children. I received quite a lot of criticism for that in college, as many of my fellow students (male and female) thought that my scholarships should have gone to someone who was “going to actually use their education.”
I wonder if those same students know how much courage, tenacity, creativity, research, debate, language study, management, and organization I put into my vocation of motherhood. I may not be building a resume, but I am building the future. And I am building myself, too; mothering has made me into a much better person!
Someday, I will work or volunteer in a more career type job. Someday, I will not have to wake up at 6 am to exercise before my day really starts, after being up 4 times during the night. Someday, I will be able to read an entire book in one week, rather than one month (or 3 months…).
But right now, this is my life. I chose this, and I still choose this, and it is amazing.
The tasks are tedious and repetitive and never ending. The hours are absolutely terrible. The results are incredibly important. And the joy is incomparable.
Emily…if only more people felt this way, the world would be full of happy fulfilled and loving adults, instead of the anxious, empty horde of humanity we live among. You go girl, the human race needs your children to lead the way! Love, Pat
Such a heartwarming essay. Your girls are the beneficiaries of your thoughtful actions. love, Joan