Working Mom

Elder Cook at the April, 2011 Conference gave a talk entitled LDS Women Are Incredible! and said:

"Women are confronted with many options and need to prayerfully consider the choices they make and how those choices affect the family...  These are very emotional, personal decisions, but there are two principles that we should always keep in mind.  First, no woman should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Second, we should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home.  We rarely understand or fully appreciate people's circumstances.  Husbands and wives should prayerfully counsel together, understanding they are accountable to God for their decisions."

Sometimes it's frowned upon to have a job other than a stay at home mom.  People give you that look like "oh, so you don't want to be the one raising your kids then, huh?"  The feeling of inadequacy can be overwhelming.  Trying to live up to what everyone else thinks is the perfect family is exhausting!  But you know what?  I like being a working mom.  If I had my way, I'd work less, but I'd still work.  

I’ve started making some changes in my life.  One of those was to stop focusing on the stuff that I’m not doing (and feeling guilty about) and to start thinking positive about the stuff that I do well. 

Because I work, I have more patience and enthusiasm when I'm home.

Because I work, my kids get great healthcare from people I trust.

Because I work, we get to go on more vacations (with or without the kids!)

Because I work, my kids have an awesome relationship with their Daddy.

Because I work, I have really great friends that I'd never met otherwise. 

Because I work, we make the most out of a day off!

Because I work, I don't have to cook as often.  :)

It isn't easy to go to work.  Even though I really like my job, sometimes I want nothing more than to just cuddle up in my bed and watch another episode of Mickey Mouse with my girls...but more and more I realize that working isn't all that bad.