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(Special Note: I know many of you moms out there work away from home -- some by choice and some by necessity. Bless you. This post is in no way meant to minimize what you do. You do the work of several women. Statistically, working moms leave for their job, but instead of resting when they come home like their husbands often do, they come home to housework, kids' homework, errands and meal preparation. When both parents work, it is just exhausting. In no way would I ever want to make you feel badly for what you do. This post is just to bring in a new, often unheard of perspective to our single-income families.)
Do you ever feel guilty for being a stay-at-home parent? Like maybe working outside the home is more productive than the work you do at home? That working outside the home is a greater contribution to society? When people found out you were going to stay at home instead of leaving for work, did they make comments that you were wasting your talents? I know I have dealt with all of those things from time to time. I have even been told that I was placing my family above the Lord by staying home and that I didn't love Him as much as they did, because they were using their talents outside the home. Those are hard comments to deal with. But have you ever considered that maybe you are contributing more than you think?
I recently read an article that puts the idea out there that being a stay-at-home parent is a luxury -- for your spouse. The author contends that by staying home, you take a great burden off your spouse. Your spouse doesn't have to worry about the kids, the meals, or the housework. They come home to a hot meal and a quiet evening instead of endless housework and errands. The kids' needs are taken care of. You give your spouse a daily gift.
The article was so good, and came from such a different perspective that I had to share it with you.
If you are a stay-at-home spouse, I highly recommend that you read this article. If you also homeschool your kids, you should read it twice. :)
Regardless of whether you are a stay-at-home spouse, both of you work, you are a single parent, you don't have children or your kiddos are grown, bless you for what you do. Never let anyone make you feel inferior for choosing a different path than the one they have chosen.
Have a great day,
Angela
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