I Choose To Be A Mom

Luke at 1 week old

In a world of high-powered, entrepreneurial women, the notion of motherhood has morphed into a new standard. The apron-wearing homemaker no longer stands as the ultimate symbol of womanhood, which I appreciate. I firmly believe in equality for women, and love that women possess the opportunities to pave their own path career-wise, socially, and politically. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the subject of my very first research project in 7th grade. I even dressed up like her, the whole kit and caboodle, and the whole thing laid the foundation for the feminist side of me. Girl power all the way. 

This is exactly why I chose to become a mother, first and foremost. You may be scratching your head in stupor thinking, "how is being a stay at home mom in any way related to feminism?" and that makes sense at first glance, but allow me to explain.

Being a mother is by far the most challenging, painful, self-improving, and beautiful job in existence. It is something so divine that only we as women have the power to perform. From the beginning, we sacrifice our bodies to grow these amazing humans. We struggle, scream, and cry tears of incomprehensible joy as we birth them, and continue this as we rear them. Do you think a man could handle this? No way, jose! We women have been given this ability because we are strong, smart, and innately full of ridiculous amounts of love and compassion (even if it is only for our offspring).

The stay at home mom title garners a lot of negative attention, and in many circles is scoffed at. The modern notion of "housewife" makes many cringe with anger, but the reality is, we don't live in that idyllic fantasy land of the 50's anymore. We don't all  play house all day, scrubbing the cracks in the tiles until our fingers bleed or make nightly dinners enviable of a Thanksgiving feast. The end-all goal isn't to be the Betty Draper of the world (and we all know how that turned out), with only shiny china and a killer roast duck to show for it. At least it isn't for me. Being a stay at home mom means I am creating a comfortable, loving environment for my children to learn and be educated. I am fulfilling my responsibility to teach my children standards, goals, and the ability to think and choose for themselves, in the hope that they will lead a life in the direction of their convictions, which will ultimately lead to their success.

There is every type of mother out there, all for whom I hold the utmost respect. Especially the women who take on the role of executive, business-owner, editor-in-chief, etc. along with mother. In many instances women don't have the choice to stay at home exclusively even if they desired, and being the provider and mother of the family furthers my profound respect for them.  

Fortunately, we live in such a rich time in history, where unjust boundaries are melting, molding into the progression of a more opportune world. And I love my place in the middle of it all, standing boldly and proudly as a mom.