March 5, 2019
Thinking About Your Words

Eight years ago, when I got pregnant with my son, I listened to you fiercely demand that mothers stay home with their children.  I KNEW you were right, but I refused to admit that I was a mom who was willing to abandon my child to hired help.  I rationalized my decision saying to myself that daycare was going to be good for him, and he would learn to socialize with other children.  I even visited the daycare and saw that they were "good people."  I kept going with all the rationalizations.

I'm a social worker, and I was coming home from work frustrated and tired.  All I could think of was how to get my son to sleep in a hurry so I could rest and be prepared for the next day of dealing with drug addicts and the chronically homeless.  I decided (hopefully in time) that the most important goal in my life was not to help the homeless or to save the addicts but to raise my son to be a man with values and strength and respect.  I quit my job and found one that allows me to work from home when he's at school.  It doesn't pay as much, but my son doesn't want THINGS.  He wants ME.  He wants me to talk to him about science and people and life.  He wants me to help him with his homework.  He wants me to stop talking about how hard MY day at work was.  Thank you, Dr. Laura, for telling the TRUTH.  Thank you too for hanging up on us and letting us THINK about what you said.  Thank you for telling me that there is a way for me to stay home and raise my child and for not allowing me to make excuses.    I have never called you, but I listen to you all the time.  I'm scared to make this transition from a career fanatic to a stay-at-home mom, and I'm ashamed that I'm so scared to make the change.  But all I have to do is look at my son's face and know that I am doing the right thing! 

Lily



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Posted by Staff at 10:59 AM