Realized one morning in the car I had forgotten to pack a lunch for my son.
We were more than half way to school. Would he go hungry? Would he starve? What would he eat? The answer came like manna from heaven: McDonald’s.
“What if mommy picks up a Happy Meal for you and brings it to school?” I said. “We can eat together. Okay?”
“Okay,” he said, never one to turn down a Happy Meal or the fantastic plastic toy that comes with it. “Are the other moms and dads coming too?”
“No,” I said. “Just me.”
“Why aren’t the other moms and dads coming?” he said.
“Well, some moms and dads go to work in offices and can’t leave to come to school for lunch,” I said.
“Yeah,” he said, “and you don’t even have an office.”
Ouch.
“No, mommy works at home,” I said. “I may have an office again one day. I used to have an office before you were born.”
“Yeah,” he said, “but you graduated.”
I love that kid. Here I was thinking how lame I am because I don’t have a real job. Here he was thinking his mom is somehow above it. Oh, that we women could take a cue from the kids.
You have a paying job? Great. You stay at home? Great. You do a little of both? Great. You have a spouse, a nanny, a sitter, a parent, or in-law who helps you? Double blessings of great. You a single parent making it on your own? God bless you. You don’t have children? That’s fine too.
Enough with the potshots already, ladies. No more casually tossing guilt bombs into each other’s backyards. We women do not have to be on opposing sides.
We’re all fighting the same battle for our families. To do our best by them and for them. Understandably that’s going to look different in different families.
The real question is, how’s it going for you and your family?
If everyone has what they need, if you are doing the best you can, if they know you love them and they love you, then I say it’s all good.
I bet they would agree with me over a Happy Meal.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
No matter your situation, if you’re alive—which I know you are or you wouldn’t be reading this—then you’re in The Middle of the ride. Hang on. Everything, everything will be just fine.
:D It’s a fun season of life, even if it keeps us crazy busy, huh?
Yes, it is. Gotta love the crazy part…
Somehow I feel under-dressed commenting on this posting but I can say that it applies to men as well. I work at home as a Dad and it was a very specific choice that I made.
I reached a point in my life where I could have took the ninety hour work week or plenty of time with my kids before they were old enough to not want to be with me. I do not regret the decision I made in the least.
That said, others look at me as though I am weird when I reveal that I am a work at home dad. Let them look. My girls know who their Daddy is and my wife is not worked to the bone.
It is worth every risk and every sacrifice.
Great post like usual Aimee! I say let them all drown in their glares!
Well said, Rodney.
You can never be underdressed on this blog. It’s come as you are. I’m glad you do and feel comfortable sharing the male perspective on a post that admittedly leaned female.
The bigger picture, as you pointed out, is about respecting one another’s choices about what works for our own families. That applies to women and men. I believe most folks are doing the very best they can. No guilt or judgment is necessary, but encouragement would be welcome.
So I stand corrected: Women AND men of the world unite! And Rodney, while they drown in the glares, you can lavish in being the hero in your daughters’ eyes.
Love this post! Us women should all be on the same team, and not doling out potshots!
I could not agree with you more, Jennifer. Women of the world, unite! Thanks for reading.