Monday, 07 July 2008
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I'm Not Just Anything
I was reading blogs today and stumbled upon Stop Saying Just.
by Mama FoxSomething that I have noticed since becoming a stay at home mom is a recent word that is spoken often in my presence. Too often I am asked if I am "JUST a stay at home mom" or "are you not working these days?" The truth is that I am not JUST a stay at home mom..but in fact that is exactly what I am and it's a role I am proud of and a career path I feel takes much initiative and dedication. I would never ask someone if they were JUST an accountant or JUST a pastor or JUST a school teacher or JUST a CEO!! Why is it when referencing a woman that has chosen her children as her full time career we suddenly see her as choosing the easy way of life..she is choosing to JUST focus on one thing. The truth is we are still working just as hard as all the teachers, accountants, CEO's, retailers, etc.. out there.
I wanted to say a big Darn Skippy! to that. I have been telling women for a while now to stop saying "just." I see it especially when talking with young military wives and girlfriends. "I'm just 19" or "I'm just a girlfriend." You are just a person. That one little word can make you seem unsure, immature and unexperienced. Look at it. "I'm just 22" vs " I am 22." Big difference no?
And face it, we aren't just anything. We are mothers, wives (or girlfriends/fiances), daughters, sisters, aunts. We are artists, teachers, authors (we are doing crafts, teaching our children and writing blogs right?). We may work or we may stay at home or we could do both. We are young, old and every age in between. Most of all we are women. I don't see any room for "just" in there. Don't sell yourself short. Hold your head up and announce proudly who you are.How do you feel about the word "just"? Do you ever describe yourself as "just" something?
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Comments (15)
Good blog! I totally agree! We should never be "just" anything. You have to give it you all.. whatever it is you do.. give 110%!!!
you know, i stayed at home for 8 mths and i just felt like that was the TOUGHEST JOB IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. SAHM is not easy and it's harder than a regular full time job. it's a god's gift that u are sahm, most are blessed to be at home w/ their kids 24/7.
not an easy job..........
It is a huge blessing to be able to saty at home with our kids. I have never thought of the word "just" like that, but it is so true. I am not just a stay at home mom. I don't sit on my butt all day watching soap opera's and eating bonbons. I work my butt of to raise good godly children. Nothing more importaint then investing time and energy into our future. That was a great post
Right after my daughter was born, I was telling everyone that it was so much easier when I was caring for 32 4-5 year old preschoolers for 8 hours vs. 1 infant for 24 hours. And then there's housework, etc.... It's like a million different jobs in one title.
Thought provoking and right on!
This post was amazing! I refuse to be "just" anything. Thank you.
I see where you are coming from and agree with you. Unfortunately, I am one that uses the word "just" a lot and it has kind of become a joke in my family. I don't do it on purpose, but even when I leave a message or call someone I say 'hi. it's just me.' I guess I always thought...it's JUST ME - don't expect any bells and whistles here. what you see is what you get. It's JUST ME. IDK. I know I have never had the best self esteem, but watcha gonna do? I am proud to be a stay at home mom, but am kind of surrounded by people who don't think a whole lot of it. I LOVE BEING 'JUST A MOM'!
Powerful entry. Thank you for this!
I am not just anything :)
Great post!
I guess I agree, but it seems to me that sometimes SAHMs can get a little...militant. They become so consumed with convincing the rest of the world how hard they work, that sometimes they seem to be a little distainful of the moms who do work.
I would have loved to be a SAHM. However, my husband and I are both active duty Air Force, so I couldn't exactly drop out because I made a commitment to serve, one which I take very seriously. Also, money would be a little too tight for comfort if I didn't re-enlist again when it comes up.
I think what I'm trying to say is yes, SAHMs have a very hard job. But it can also be hard to put in a full day at work, and still come home to put in everything you have left into being a mother. Please...don't think all moms who work are choosing their careers over their children. Sometimes we're just trying to make the best of all worlds.
This rant has been brought to you by lack of sleep after coming home from a 12-hour shift. Thank you.
This is so true. I hate it when people belittle stay at home mothers like their job isn't SO much harder than the rest of ours. It is, it must be, especially with multiple children. I mean, WHY do we pay so much money for daycare if it's an easy thing to do? It's obviously not, and I like what you said about not selling people short. No one should, we all have a job in this world and these women are no different.
Oh and to the poster above, I don't believe working moms are any worse. That's such a hard position to be in as well, but we all pick our poison in life don't we? I don't think I will/will be able to stay at home if I ever have kids, besides the fact that I was a daycare kid and believe wholeheartedly that it's excellent preparation for a well-rounded child, but all in all I must give my respect to those that go at it alone. They definitely work hard and should be respected. Let's just all remember that everybody has to deal with something, and no one's life is really ever going to be any easier than anyone else's.
oh thank you! I went to a prestigious art school for a year to be a top designer. I am talented enough for it. I am driven enough for it. Unfortunately, I realized I hated designing, the people, and the industry.
I decided to pursue a career as an art teacher, and I have never been this passionate about anything else. Only, when I talk to people I haven't seen in a year or two and they find out I transferred schools, I get: "Oh, so you're just going to be an art teacher now?"
I'm sorry, but I see nothing wrong with being an art teacher. In fact, I think it will be more rewarding and beneficial to myself AND to others than if i were some fancy designer in Cleveland or New York. Plus, I'd like to see one of them JUST balance 25 six year olds in one room with tubs of paint and scissors in their 50 little hands.
In a way it's like SAHM parenting. There is nothing insignificant or "JUST" about caring for children, giving them the best possible opportunities to learn and grow, and doing so full time.
good point! I completely agree!