Gazelam wrote:Too many women spend their time in socializing, in politicking, in public services when they should be home to teach and train and receive and love their children into security.
No greater honor could be given to a woman than to assist in [God’s] divine plan. I wish to say without equivocation that a woman will find no greater satisfaction and joy and peace and make no greater contribution to mankind than in being a wise and worthy woman and raising good children.
Been there, done that. Eight children, launched into the world. All of them upstanding citizens, none in jail, all either in college or graduated from college, the two girls with graduate degrees. All of them gainfully employed, including the girls. None of them living off the government. One in the military, defending this country. Six out of the eight married. All of them supporting themselves with no help from us 'rents.
Oh, in addition to my career as Mom, I also have a professional career, one I've worked hard at for almost 14 years. And I was in college for 3 years prior to my current job. And guess what: all of my children are excessively proud of their mom and their part in my career. All of them helped me get my degrees (3 of them), all of them worked out the scheduling at home to make sure none of them suffered because Mom was in school. While I was either in school or working, all of them played sports, joined the clubs they were interested in, and took turns cooking the dinner and cleaning the bathroom. I never missed a home game. Both girls earned their Young Woman of Excellence Awards. All the boys earned their Eagle Scout award. They qualified for thousands of dollars in college scholarships based on their excellence in both community service and grades. Six of the eight were accepted at BYU; none attended (the other two didn't bother to apply because they didn't want to go there anyway).
What didn't get done? I didn't have a sparkling clean house, a weeded garden, or time to gossip with the neighbors. We ate a lot of hamburger helper meals. I didn't have time for tv soap operas, romance novels, long vacations, or hobbies. I worked or went to school, and I raised my kids. Family Home Evening was usually spent watching someone run around the football or softball field. I studied at the same time as I watched my sons run track and cross country. I multitasked everything.
I am
more than a just mother; I am
more than the sum of my children; I am
more than Mrs Sweet Pickles. I raised over $600,000 last year for a cause that is near to the hearts of my whole family. I serve on statewide committees. I get calls for my input on concerns of national significance. I am
Somebody and I'll be damned if I'll sit here and let you insult me by telling me I am out of line by being all I can be, instead of just a mother.