I was at a local café when I overheard a conversation that made me wince. One woman, impeccably dressed with perfectly styled hair, asked her friend, “It’s so good to see you! How have you been? What are you up to these days?”
The response was disheartening. “I’ve been good, busy of course, but good. After Emily was born, I quit my job, and now I’m just a stay-at-home mom,” she said, her shoulders slumping and her eyes diverting.
That word “just” hit me like a ton of bricks. Can we eliminate it from our vocabulary, please? Mothers, I implore you, stop using “just” when describing your role. That tiny, belittling word has no place in the context of what you do. You are raising a future generation!
“Just” should be reserved for sentences like, “I think I’ll just grab a cup of coffee,” or “We’re just having leftovers tonight.” When was the last time you heard someone refer to themselves as “just a teacher” or “just a doctor”? It doesn’t happen. Yet, somehow, women who choose to stay home often unconsciously diminish their invaluable contribution by using that word.
Interestingly, you rarely hear stay-at-home dads say, “I’m just a stay-at-home dad.” Instead, they confidently explain their responsibilities without a hint of self-deprecation. They know the hard work involved, and they own it. So why can’t we?
Mothers, take pride in what you do. Speak about your role with the same confidence that others do about theirs. This might require some effort, as many women have been conditioned to downplay their achievements. Body language often betrays feelings of inadequacy when answering questions about their choices. It’s as if they’re apologizing for their decision to stay home, sending a message that they somehow settled for this path.
Whether you have a GED or a PhD, being a stay-at-home mom is a job worthy of respect. Just as various professionals play critical roles in society, so too do you.
Women, both those working outside the home and those staying home, need to uplift one another. The next time you hear someone say, “I’m just a stay-at-home mom,” don’t hesitate to intervene. Remind them that they’re not “just” anything. The women before us fought tirelessly for the right to choose our paths, and hearing “I’m just…” would surely make them turn in their graves.
Remember, no one is on this earth to feel insignificant. You matter, and your contributions are far from trivial. Stand together, ladies!
For more insights into family planning, check out this helpful article on home insemination. Additionally, if you’re looking for resources on fertility, visit the CDC for valuable information.