the stay at home mom

this morning, an article on usa today caught my eye: "work or stay at home." the article makes the argument that women should work, stating that "mothers assume too much of a financial and career risk if they stay at home to raise the kids."

i disagree with this argument. first, i must state that i whole-heartedly support working moms. sometimes working outside of the home is a necessity (i myself have done it and possibly will again in the future). what i don't like about that statement is that they risk their career. sure, i bet that is true. but as i think of the risks that must be weighed, a career verses time with my children, i wonder what is more important. for me, my children.

my sisters and i were having this discussion a few months ago. one sister quoted my grandma, who said that looking back at her life, raising her kids was such a short season of all the things she has done. why not enjoy that season and spend as much time with her children.

the article continued, quoting author robin ryan as saying, "stay-at-home moms complain a lot that 'just being a mom' is like being invisible in this society." this is why i felt like writing this little blurb. i want to say, with a resounding yelp (to quote dead poets society), that stay-at-home moms should not feel invisible to society. instead, we should be the greatest contributers to society. with the gift of flexible time, we can improve society through charitable works, assisting others, and enriching the lives of those in need around us. what a great benefit, and stewardship, we as mothers have. we should not be invisible, but a strong force that is seen and heard.

how can we do this? as a member of the church, i feel blessed to be a member of relief society - there i know i always have a chance to serve and give relief to others around us. but i feel we can be more creative in our efforts. if stay-at-home moms are "invisible" then we should make our thoughts known by being politically active. we can not only help other stay-at-home moms, but use our days visiting the elderly. i heard about a play group that met at a nursing home, and spent the time visiting the men and women there with their kids - brightening the day of those who might have been lonely.

motherhood is such a wonderful task. i am so grateful that i am blessed to be a mom, and am lucky enough that i can stay home with my 3 wonderful children. i feel overwhelmed at times with the importance of my duty, and i also wonder how some women work, raise kids, and keep their house clean (because i struggle with that). i also want to say that i am not invisible. i can improve society and make myself known in conjunction with raising my kids. and, in so doing, i will be an example to them of service and helping others. and, at the same time, they will gain a greater understanding and respect toward motherhood.

now, that is a career i can i can sink my teeth into.