My very good friend blogged about Stay at Home Moms recently. As I read her thoughts I realized that I too hold judgment on stay at home moms. I know that sounds odd because I happen to BE a stay at home mom but I don't consider myself to be THAT.
For some reason, in my mind, A SAHM is someone with children of school age, who gets up in the morning and helps her kids onto a school bus. She then does a few chores and has most of the day to do whatever the heck she wants. Then at around 4:00 when the bus arrives home she helps her kids with homework, cooks a quick meal, kisses hubby as he arrives home, eats, puts the kids to bed and watches TV with hubby and goes to bed.
That is boring, boring, boring and lazy in my mind.
I KNOW! How awful! I was as shocked as you are when I realized that these are my actual perceptions when I hear the words Stay At Home Mom. Like women of this caliber don't have hobbies, duties, fund raising, parents to care for, LIVES! I just automatically assume that their lives are well, filled with a big, huge void from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and remain that way until their husband retires.
In contrast I see myself as a Homeschool Mom (HM). THIS, of course, is a very different beast. That explains why I am always so very proud to answer the question, "What do you do?"
"Well, I'm a Homeschool Mom to 5 sons, ages 14, 10, 7, 3 and 3!" I say proudly. "My husband works very hard so that we have that option." I often say.
It never occurred to me that I may sound WAY too proud of this. I just assumed that people were impressed when they hear this. LOL For some reason it never occurred to me that they see ME as a Stay At Home Mom! I'm, apparently, THAT person! LOL
It suddenly occurred to me, while reading my friends blog that people might just think something other than good thoughts about me when I answer this way. I realize now that some people must think I'm arrogant or maybe even delusional.
They may think that I'm overly confident in my intelligence to think that I can teach all of my children or even any of my children. They may think that I'm trying to brag that my husband makes more money than theirs. They may think that I'm just trying to sound more important than I actually am. I don't really know what "they" think but I do know what I think.
I'm a happy camper and very proud to be a Homeschool Mom.
I would be so embarrassed to be a Stay At Home Mom.
To me....Two totally different things.
Why that is, is beyond me. I know I'm wrong. I know I sound horrible. I am T-totally judgemental and should take a tolerance course of some sort. I have no insight to my thinking but would welcome some if the mood strikes you.
I'll ponder it tonight as I fall off to sleep next to my hard working hubby who gives me, so freely, the option to live my wonderful, fulfilled and happy life. :-)
The Mom With Brownies
2 comments:
OK -- you'll have to excuse the Spelling Nazi in me as I point out that it should be Embarrassed not Imbarrassed and Tolerance with one "L". I'm sorry. I'm not trying to "diss" on you, it's just a bad habit of mine to constantly find errors to red mark.
Personally, I would give you major kudos for what you do and wouldn't think you were being arrogant or boastful. I applaud anyone who can tackle homeschooling. I see it as someone who seriously believes in being a part of his/her child(ren)'s growth and education; a task not to be undertaken lightly.
I've been searching for tips and Cliff notes on how to homeschool as I'm seriously considering doing this next year with my son. I have doubts as to whether I can actually do it or not. Heather posted some great tips and how-to's and I've found a few links as well. I ask for your prayers in my endeavor.....and any ideas if you've got any for me! ;)
Thank you Joanne for correcting my spelling errors. I too cringe when I find fault in what I'm reading. I'll chalk my errors up to the fact that I was public schooled! LOL
Honestly Joanne, it's not hard. If you can teach to 6th grade level in math and language you will have done better than ALL of the public schools in Amercia. Why? Because ALL of your students will have learned the minimum required to enter a community college. The schools cannot boast as much.
My children begin taking one college course at a time at age fourteen. By the time my eldest son graduates from homeschool high school he could very well have an Associate Degree. Many homeschooled children go this route.
I say this to let you know that you can teach, and they will learn, what they need to go on to higher levels of education. Anything above and beyond math and language that you teach them is gravy, as they will have to take history, science, etc.. in college again anyway.
Also, I highly recommend the book, "The Dangerous Book for Boys"
Hope that helps! :-)
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