So, what do you do when you are sitting on the couch watching an Episode of Spongebob Squarepants with the kiddo for the 400th time(because nickelodean loves their repeats) and your little one goes: “You should get a real job like BaBa(this is what he calls his dad)? I was a bit caught off guard with his statement as part of me wanted to laugh and then another part of me felt quite offended and a little paranoid (yes I can get offended by a 5 year old). But it made me think, maybe he really does not understand my role here as a Stay At Home Mom. He knows that his BaBa wakes up every morning, gets dressed, goes out to work, comes home, and makes money. Now with me on the other hand, the only time he feels that I am “working” is when I pull the laptop out.
So, instead of reflecting on all of the articles that I have read on how stay at home moms don't do anything or that they are bored out of their minds (which is totally not the case for myself). I just took that time to explain to him that both his BaBa and myself work, but that we just have different jobs; and that my job was to be a good YaYa(mother). I explained to him that my job was to make sure that he learned, ate his veggies and fruit, and to make our home warm and fun. I also told him that I also work at night on the computer after he has gone to bed.
He seemed to understand and that made me feel good, because even though I am a stay at home mom, the last thing that I would want is for my son to feel that their is no “work” put into such a role. So, if you are stay at home mother yourself, I highly suggest you explain to your kids what you do, your job, your responsibilities, and why your job as well as your husbands are equally important and how you two work together for their sake!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
what an awesome post!
ReplyDeletei've had the same conversation with my two...and its amazing how fast they get it...and how much they begin to appreciate all the "roles" we each perform in the house...
i went further and explained to them that their job is to be good lil people, help out with what they could, learn and do good in school and be nice to each other (and everyone else). they were really receptive to it...its also something that k12 covers in their curriculum...so i was able to reinforce it through school too.
love this new blog of yours...makes me wish i had time to do the same...maybe when i get done with school (sometime this year).
and for the record...your one of the hardest working mama's i know!
I can understand why your son may ask the question, but it's great that you advised him otherwise. The problem I have, however are adults who deem jobs only those that are outside of the home. Our society is now seeing the downside to the lack of homemaking with childhood obesity on the rise and producing children that lack survival skils.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, great blog!
I am so glad to hear that you had this conversation. I think it is important for the children to value "Mother's work."
ReplyDeleteGood point. To tell you the truth, I'm not so sure I understand the responsibilities of the job thoroughly, and I've been doing it for three years!
ReplyDeleteBut you're right...it is a good conversation to have!
I was just thinking today how I would LOVE to be afforded the opportunity to be a stay at home mom!!
ReplyDeleteHow often my home goes neglected as well as things I'd be able to do in the neighborhood, homeschooling my daughter or at least being home when she arrives etc. It's such a value that people have chosen to give up.
Your son is blessed not only to have you at home but also have you to teach him why as well as your little girl to be born soon.
great explanation!
ReplyDelete