We hear about the "war" all the time between mothers. Which is harder, better, smarter and more fulfilling - staying at home full-time to tend to the family or raising a family while also working outside of the home? Women battle about it daily at PTO meetings, while gossiping on the front porch with friends, while sitting in the office with coworkers or while debating about it online. Everyone has their opinion about which one is "right".
I couldn't care less what other people think is right. What's best for one family is not what is best for another. And both situations have their pros and cons; struggles and strengths. Both have the potential to be very fulfilling. I've done both. I worked for several years, stayed home for several years and am back to working again. My 'epic debate' is not with others - it is with myself.
It never fails. When I'm a stay-at-home mom, I think of all the reasons why I'd like to return to work. I'd like to contribute more money to the family, I'd like to have the opportunity to meet new friends, I'd like some me time away from everyone, etc, etc. When I'm working outside the home though, I think of all the reasons why I'd like to stay home. I'd save tons of money on gas/daycare, I'd have the opportunity to be much more involved with the kids' school life, I'd have some time away from everyone to do things that I like to do, etc, etc. The pros and cons seem to stack up evenly each time.
How does one decide? When you have a firm grasp on what both lifestyles are like, but the pros and cons come out even every time, how do you choose? How do I know what is "right"? Maybe it's not about what's right or what's better or what's more fulfilling. Maybe it's about just trusting my gut and doing what feels right rather than what looks good on paper.
I'll have to get back to this one. For now, the epic debate continues......
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