It's time to take off your cape, throw down your briefcase, and throw that burp cloth back over your shoulder.
why? Because the answer is simple...
Because - your children need you.
And dammit, it's also time to hold your head high and stare down anyone who dares to question your decision -or your right - to do this.
It's time to take back your role as parent, and your obligations and duties to raise happy and healthy children - in person - and not through a daily report from a local daycare, a teacher, or a personal nanny.
It's time to forget the luxuries and cherish only the necessities of life that make you truly happy - your kids.
And in return, they will make you rich beyond your wildest imaginings.
It's no longer good enough to let strangers raise your children - over a job, a new car, a new house, a new vacation or an old and seriously faulty attitude that somehow the role of homemaker, of parent in situ, is menial and unworthy...
...when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
Your children need you to be home when they walk through the door, to have someone to help them with their homework, to kiss their scraped knees, to wipe their tears, to cradle them until they fall asleep, to read them a story, to take care of their first fever, their first asthma attack, and their first hurt feeling.
They need you to be there to scare the monsters from under the bed, to listen to their fears, to help solve their troubles, to walk them to school, to share with them a home cooked meal, to push them on a swing, to teach them how to pray, and to be kind, and respectful, and generous, and loving human beings.
Your children need you to teach them how to fold a towel, wash a dish, run a vacuum, mow a lawn, bait a hook, hook a basketball, catch a ball, shovel a sidewalk, drive a car, and help a neighbor. Your children need you to show them a budding flower, a bee collecting pollen, a rainbow, a footprint, and a shooting star.
And they also need your undivided attention.
And believe me when I tell you - you need to be there to witness their first tooth, their first laugh, their first crawl, their first walk, their first words, their first potty session, their first day of school, their first successful attempt at riding a two wheeler, their first puppy love, their first date, their first broken heart, their first award, their first school play, their first shave, their first mascara, their first drivers permit, their first prom, their first, their first, their first....
~ they're first.
(but we can still forget about the pointy white cotton platex bras and girdles girls...they were never good for anybody...)
for more thoughts on this subject - check out the Queen of Peachy Amuckness and the infamous, Mr. Stay-at-home Scalzihead, and the hippest hippy in j-land - Amy with the cereal mess on the floor.
anyone else got a rant on this subject? - let me know - and thy shall be linked verily.
18 comments:
OH! I sooooo needed to read this! Thank you for putting to words what is not acknowledged as good; so many moms (& dads) are providing for their kids in many ways, but most importantly (in my opinion) ~ their presence!
Amen sister! I know many day-care mom's won't find your opinion very popular (many can't afford to stay home no matter how much they scrimp) but *I* am really please to be home for my baby. -B
Great entry Flo!
Ryan - it's all about our choices and our options, of course - I fully realize some of us are in situations that cannot lend themselves to staying at home when we need to be - this entry was not meant for them.
- more it was meant as a wake up call to try to change the attitude that you are less of a person in this day and age, if you choose to stay home to raise your family. We rearrange our family to fit our "schedules".
Not only is the current attitude warped thinking - it's also damaging thinking to our kids and ourselves. Simply, we've been duped.
We have become a nation of strangers raising our babies and a nation of guilt ridden mothers and fathers for not allowing ourselves to be there in the quest for the almighty career and small fleeting luxuries.
No parent should ever have to feel apologetic or hesitant to tell their peers that they choose home-making and parenting as their priority.
and ryan - i know you gave up a career to stay home - i applaud you - you should shout it from the rooftops!
and thanks connie and babymae!
Thank you dear lady! Why do I need to write about this when you've already done so, so eloquently?!
PS I just noticed I am listed as "foul mouth amy" in your other journals list---I may have just discovered my epitaph! I'm am honored!
because my very dear foul mouthed amy - we need to hear about your day-care giving adventures...
confused? go read her comment at the peach pages...
A Standing Ovation for you, my dear Flora. Wonderfully written and a beautiful point. ~Peachy
Amen.. Standing up claping!
{Their first commercial; their first sheckel from
Jerusalem about one of their songs} AND
Their first mother--the Queen of flim=flam!
Right on~Children are where it's at.
their first.
They're first.
You are a poet at heart. congrats Dana! Yowsah!
I might be in Philadelphis in august....
~~mumsy
Philadelphus, I meant.
Beautiful! Thanks for validating a choice that is often unappreciated.
Too bad more parents don't feel the same way.
Kathy
I was a housewife for years for this very reason. I had three children to raise and I wasn't going to let them raise themselves!
Well-said Flora!!!! Amen!!! :-)
It would be great if we all had the luxury of "opting out" and staying at home to raise the kids. Unfortunately, many don't. Single mothers and low-income households come to mind. Frustrating for mothers, I'm sure. I guess we all try to do the best we can.
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