Celsete, think about it this way; if you're opting NOT to stay home with your kids, because you love your job, doesn't mean that your putting your wants and needs before those of your children. Yeah, you could be doing something totally worthwhile, but the Bible makes it pretty clear that the most important people for a mother to serve are the ones in her family... and everyone else after that. I know lots of moms who loved their jobs and put them off until their kids were older or grown up. They knew that their kids needed them and that while helping other people was important, raising their own kids to the best of their ability was their JOB.
I have to say I kind of agree with the woman in Liz's comment. Maybe not in such harsh or judgemental terms, but the fact of the matter is; if you're not willing to give up a JOB for your kids, then, maybe your kids aren't a priority. And if you're not willing to make your kids a priority then, you've got some praying to do, because that's what God's asking of you.
38 comments
My decision to be a housewife and mother had nothing to do with the Bible. The jobs offered were unacceptable to me. They wanted me to travel 80-90% of the time (refused to do because of my stepdaughters); wanted us to relocate (refused to do because of my stepdaughters - not taking them away from their mother); or didn't pay enough to justify putting them in daycare (I refuse to work a job that only pays for daycare). Was it hard raising the kids on one income? You betcha. But, the other options were unacceptable. Perhaps this woman's other options are unacceptable, in a way different from mine?
Oh, wait, that means you have to think of someone other than yourself for you to consider that, Saidahwk. And as a fundie, you are incapable of doing that.
If I remember well, she didn't get impregnated by chance, so yes, she has all the right to love her job and ask her husband to get involved enough to help her raise her children AND work.
I'm pretty sure Saidahwk will forget about this principled stance when, for example, he needs the services of a doctor or emergency room nurse who is the mother of small children. Probably the services of a McDonald's cashier who is also a mother, too, for that matter.
"but the Bible makes it pretty clear that the most important people for a mother to serve are the ones in her family... and everyone else after that"
And where exactly does it say that? Or do you just hope it says that, so that you can argue in favour of your view of submission and inequality?
My mom used to stay at home. Then the economy went bad after 9-11 and my dad's salary didn't pay enough to keep me in the private school I was going to, and for food, and gas, and everything else. So my mom went back to work, and the crisis was averted. It's eight years later, I'm in public high school, and in this big economic crisis, we're not facing as many economic cutbacks as some of my friends whose mothers stay at home.
Yeah, because it's horrible for women to want to make something of themselves. After all, their place is in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant, and unemployed for sure. /sarcasm
Btw, what your imaginary friend has to say about it is completely irrelevant.
[but the Bible makes it pretty clear that the most important people for a mother to serve are the ones in her family]
The bible also makes it clear that men are supposed to work the earth from dawn till dusk with no days off (except the Sabbath).
[if you're not willing to give up a JOB for your kids, then, maybe your kids aren't a priority.]
My mother worked for most of my childhood. If she didn't, we probably wouldn't have much food on our table, because my fathers income wasn't enough.
I have done both in the last 20 years. Worked when the 2 boys were little, got pregnant again stayed home for a few years and then went back to work and still working. My kids are 20, 17, 14.
Neither one is easy. Both situations have good and bad and I'm glad I got to experience both. I don't know if Saidahwk is a man or woman. But unless you are a single dad with full custody of the kids, I'm not sure they understand how personal of a decision it is. Some women aren't lucky enough to even have time to think about it, then need to go right back. I have to say that I'm lucky that my job allows me to be home at 3 when my 14 yr old daughter gets home. Since she is just like I was at 14 it's a really good idea that someone is home to supervise
Parent = 24/7 responsibility.
Job = something you can quit if the working conditions suck.
Parent =/= Job
Sometimes the best way to be a good parent is to have a job or career.
Well.
Tell that to single mothers, will you. Like mine, who had to raise her two girls on her salary alone, since our fathers are dipshits, one of the girls with a crippling disability.
She quit work when I was around 7. She got to translation, which she could do at home. We got by. We both attended college and graduated from it. We both work.
We survived just peachy.
sounds like someone needs a pacifier, warm milk, and a blanky.
Too bad, i'm too busy working in order to make enough money to afford milk and a new blanky for you, but you're welcome to use the family's heirloom pacifier. it was once suckled by your great grandfather. just don't mind the mold, but i'll buy you a new one once i earn enough money...
My mother worked full-time while I was growing up. I will follow her lead. It has helped me be a more independent woman and a better person overall. I would not expect the man I love to shoulder all of the financial burdens of the family any more than I would imagine he would expect for me to shoulder all of the responsibilities of the house. Besides, these children? It took two to make them, it should take two to raise them, and it should also take two to support them. Besides, what kind of message would I prefer any future daughters of mine to take with them as they grow up, the message that your life is not going to be fulfilled until you find a man to support you? Or you can do just fine on your own? I was raised with the latter and will encourage the latter in the future, when I am fully prepared for motherhood.
the Bible makes it pretty clear that the most important people for a mother to serve are the ones in her family... and everyone else after that.
The bible says no such thing. Take a look at how families lived back then. Basically everybody lived with their jobs. Women did a fuck of a lot of work including taking care of the kids, but so did the fathers. You cannot compare social norms of BCE to today, because society is not the same.
If I remember right, the income resulting from the job goes to THE KIDS, so, she's serving the kids, isn't it?(and same goes to the father, following your logic, so, where does the money to raise the kids come from?)
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
To post a comment, you'll need to Sign in or Register . Making an account also allows you to claim credit for submitting quotes, and to vote on quotes and comments. You don't even need to give us your email address.
