When I think about my decision to be a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom, I have to say there were women who influenced that decision long before I ever had children of my own. In fact, I was just in elementary school when I first remember wanting to be a full-time homemaker.
First, of course was my own mother. She put away the nurse's hat and stayed at home with my brother and me during our pre-school years. She returned to work when we both started school. But she didn't go back to 'hospital nursing.' Instead, she got a job as a school nurse so she could be off of work when we were home from school in the summer and holidays. Her school nursing schedule actually was a major contributor in my choice of an education degree in college. I saw how my mom was able to be at home with us so much, and I also wanted a job where I could be home with my children in the summers.
The second woman who influenced me, did so without even knowing it at all. She was the mother of one of my friends in elementary school. This friend and I went to school together until we graduated from high school. But it was when we were in just the 4th grade that she had such an impact on my life. Let me explain....
In elementary school, I waited each day on my brother, who was 3 years older than me, to be dismissed from school. His grade got out 30 minutes after mine, so I would sit everyday in the school office and do my homework while I waited on my brother.
One day while I sat there, my friend's mother came into the office to get his school work. He had been sick for several days and she didn't want him to get behind. Now, my friend had several brothers and sisters and most of them were little and not even in school yet. As my friend's mom entered the office I just watched her as she carried her small toddler on her hip. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She seemed so strong as she carried that baby on one hip and a HUGE stack of books on the other hip. I knew she stayed at home with her children and I found myself daydreaming about my future family as I watched her.
As the years went by, my friend's mom was always the mother who helped with school trips, school parties, school bake sales, field day, and later even the school prom. I admired her so much, and I knew that one day I wanted to be just like her.
The third woman who influenced me to be a full-time stay-at-home mom was a mother I only met very briefly, but who had a big influence on me. I don't even know her name. I was a teenager at the time and helping teach a 3 year old class at my church's Vacation Bible School. This precious mother had a child in my class as well as an older child and a baby.
Each day as this mom picked up her 3 year old from VBS, she would say things like, "I packed a picnic today! Let's go to the park," or "I put your swimsuits in car. We're going swimming!" Of course at these fun announcements all of her children would squeal with glee! I saw in her a "fun mom" who loved being with her kids and thoroughly enjoyed being their mom. I knew one day I wanted to be just like her.
Isn't it strange that 2 of the 3 major influences on my homemaking and my decision to be a stay-at-home mom were women who never even knew I was watching?
Who is watching you as you mother your kids? Your little daughter? The little girl next door? The teenager at church? You just never know who you are being a light to.
Remember moms, young girls ARE watching you whether you realize it or not. Live each day to the fullest with your kids! Homemaking is a very high calling no matter what this "world" says!
Thanks for the reminder...
Posted by: Stephanie Blanchard | July 02, 2009 at 08:36 PM
It is the most rewarding calling! I am so proud of my children.
Mom
Posted by: Janice Corley | July 03, 2009 at 01:38 PM
What a sweet reminder!
Posted by: Lauren | July 04, 2009 at 09:22 AM