I have had a lot of thoughts going on in my mind today, and somethings I don't know what to think or write about, but there was something that kinda eerked me today, and so I have a small rant to ensue. If you are looking for something deep or meaningful, this won't be it.
I went to my first MOPS group today. For those of you not in the know (as I was not), this stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. So it is a community full of moms, and they eat breakfast and hangout. I have no problem with the moms, everyone was really nice. Except for the moms there early in the morning with perfect hair and makeup in a designer outfit, looking bright eyed and bushy tailed. I mean, how did they get enough sleep, wake up early enough to shower, primp, and fight with their kids to get them to eat, get dressed, brush their teeth and get in the car on time? But I digress, maybe one day I will be there, but its not looking hopeful folks.
And let me preface one thing before I continue my story. I would consider myself a feminist. I am all for women's rights and believe we can do anything men can do. Some feminist confuse me at times. I think some people now days get their panties in a wad over issues that aren't as relevant because some amazing women in the 70's fought hard for our equality and rights that we enjoy today. Anyways, I am all for women working and staying home. I have worked full time and now part time while being a mom. And I will tell you that even on my hardest days of working, being a mom is the toughest. Its the greatest, but still, so hard. And if you don't understand that, it is because you are a male, or you don't have kids. Now back to my MOPS peeps.
We had to fill out this paper for an exercise they were doing (it's not relevant so I won't go into it). One of the questions was "What is the maximum number of hours you could work a week and still fell like you could adequately take care of your family?". To which I had a legitimate numerical answer. Most of the women at my table were talking amongst themselves while writing, and when they discussed this answer, their responses surprised me. Most of them said, they basically felt like if even if they had to they couldn't work or could only work very minimally. Now let me again reiterate, I love staying at home, and I truly understand, nothing is as hard and demanding as the job of a mother. But come on ladies! If you had to, you could and would rise to the occasion, because you are a mom, and there is nothing stronger than that. Even if you aren't a mom now, look at your own mom and the incredible women in your family. They sacrificed day in and out, and worked around the clock to take care of you and shape you into the awesome person you are today. And no disrespect to the dads. Dads are just as important and great, and now days many dads are having to take on some single parenting responsibilities. But moms can watch the kids and keep the house clean (I have not mastered this, but there are others who put me to shame). They always no where the missing shoes are, who has what practice, what their kids favorite snack is that week, how to make them feel better when they are sick, or what song to sing them to get them to go to sleep. Not to say I have this perfected, because most days I feel like I lose every battle against a 2 year old. But I will tell you that I never knew I could be as strong as I am or do as much as I do until I became a mom.
And I know these lovely ladies at this group today are no exception. If they had to work, they would rise to the occasion, because we are women, we are bad ass, it's what we do. We do whatever we have to to support our families. All this rambling is to say, ladies, don't go around making yourself seem weak or incapable and give us a bad rap. You are strong. And also maybe wear a little less makeup at 8:30 in the morning, just sayin'.
