That is not true. All women are not born with these skills. Stereotypes and generalizations about groups of people are dangerous. I bought my house (when I was single) 6 years ago and have NOTHING hung on the wall because I hate decorating and have no talent for it. I know countless women who do not have a talent for cooking. I also know countless men who are fantastic cooks. There are more male restaurant chefs than female even.

Please, everyone, stop with the stereotypes and generalizations. It belittles all of us women to put us into such a tiny defined box.

What I do find so fascinating is where you say, “I feel if more mothers stayed home to be mothers, maybe the kids today wouldn’t be going around shooting kids among many other things.”

Just wanted to ask, in your opinion, can you replace ‘mother’ in that sentence with ‘father’? I personally believe it would be lovely if one half of a couple could stay at home with the children until school age, but to me it doesn’t matter if that is the father or the mother. In fact, I’d be horrified if the person I chose to be the father of my children could not fulfil the nurturing role of a parent, or felt it was my job.

Conversely, I do not feel I have exclusive rights to being the stay at home parent just because I am the woman, or that it is my job, or my role.

Just my opinion, not having a go at anyone!

There are always exceptions and it would make things much easier if people wouldn’t assume this or that or judge like you are doing.

You don’t know what my husband thinks nor did I say in either article how he feels. These are my opinions on what I think.

For the record, he would love me to work, get out on the weekends wit the women that have asked me but I CHOOSE not to because I feel it’s MY job to take care of the family….I WANT to stay home. I feel if more mothers stayed home to be mothers, maybe the kids today wouldn’t be going around shooting kids among many other things.

Please don’t assume you know everything about me based on this one article.

My mom worked when I was growing up. She was a single parent for awhile, but she worked even after she remarried. And I’m going to make a bold statement now… I’m glad that she worked rather than stayed home with us. There are a bunch of reasons… 1) it taught me that I can be who I want to be and that “wife and mother” isn’t the only label I can claim, 2) it gave her time to recharge her batteries, stimulate her creativity and grow as a person so that when she was with us, she was really with us, 3) we didn’t have much extra early on because she really needed to work to meet expenses, but it did afford us a vacation once a year and occasional extras. As it turns out, I’m a happy, healthy, intelligent adult… it didn’t require me to be glued to my mother’s side. I ended up with a strong moral compass even though I was in *gasp* daycare. And I have had the opportunity to see more than just the little slice of the world where I grew up. Oh, and most importantly, I got to meet lots of different people who have made lots of different lifestyle choices so I know that there isn’t one “right” answer. I don’t feel the need to judge other people in the decisions they make. See? Having a working mom isn’t so bad after all. And if you ask my dad, he never once felt neglected. Turns out that he finds a woman with a career to be interesting.

As for my own family and career choices, I’ll leave that as a mystery. It’s not really anyone else’s business but mine.

I disagree about equal responsibilities in child rearing, too. I know so many women whose husbands come home from work and don’t even get a minute to take their shoes off and relax without being handed a stinky baby so mom can finish making dinner.

I am sure that if more families would declare the home life important and assign someone (dads can be housewives, too) to the task of making a home, then more families would be happier.

Lisa Russell has 6 daughterss last blog post..WW- Apparently it’s a fishing thing

Anyway, I agree with you both. Sometimes I wish I could afford to stay home with my children, but they are in school all day anyway. I stayed home one year. It was extremely difficult financially, and I was probably busier then than I am now. But, it was wonderful! I would love to do that. On the other hand, I enjoy my job, most of the time, and I work the same hours that my kids are in school, so I don’t miss out on any time with them. I like the financial freedom and the independence of having a job. I guess I just want to have my cake and eat it, too. I read your post, and I’m thinking, “yeah!” I read Lillith’s response, and I’m thinking, “yeah!” Every point you both made was valid. I think being a SAHM or a full-time-working-outside-the-home mom depends on your personality, needs, and beliefs. Anyway, I’m enjoying your blog.

I may have to post something on my blog now that I’m thinking about this. If I do, I’d like to link back to your original article if that would be okay. I’m about to RSS your blog now. Thanks.

Forgetfulones last blog post..Winner!