from Ben's mom
It is good to get a little perspective now and then. There are times I think we are destitute and then I get the opportunity to make some extra money babysitting full-time. Put in perspective, we are not that desperate. I loved little Isabella, but the strain was really showing in both Ben and me by the end of the week. I was too tired to do much and Ben was a little bear. (Not the teddy kind.) As the "two's" approach, vigilance is required and in order to be consistent in training him, I need to not have the pull of responsiblity toward a child not my own to distract me.
We make decisions to live very simply to have me at home and part of what seems like leisure time to outsiders is time I use to creatively manage my home. I generally cook, really cook, dinner each night. I had forgotten what a novelty that was until I was shopping earlier this week and heard a woman calling her husband from the frozen food section of the grocery store to ask him what kind of TV dinner he would like that night. I realized that if I didn't have a little time that would be me and my babysitting earnings would likely be thrown away calling and asking Mike to pick up something for dinner MUCH more frequently. But I also realize that I am a little bit of a wuss. MANY women have to do in-home daycare in order to be home with their children. The next time I'm tempted to think we are poor, I will remember that we don't have to do this.
As a vegetarian, I don't relish purchasing meat for my husband. (He is always willing to help with the icky parts.) I found an easier way than languishing in the meat section of the grocery store (that smells, incidentally), overwhelmed by the choices and having no idea what to do with the stuff if I do buy it. Online shopping. I don't have to smell it, or really even look at it much. It is delivered to my door neatly boxed and I can throw it in the freezer until I can deal with it.
Lastly, it is a good time to be a Seahawks fan. However, as a longtime Seahawks fan, I have learned to say little, as my hopes will probably be dashed tomorrow. You Seahawks fans understand.
2 comments:
I can say without a single, solitary doubt, that I'm, er, well adjusted (haha) and a happy, confident Christian -- BECAUSE my mom stayed home with me when I was growing up. I can look at other family members who were more concerned with working and "having a life" than staying at home with their kids, to know how blessed I was (am). The parents who needed their own time and money early on, while the kids were growing up, are paying for it in all sorts of ways now. I don't think they consider it worth it.
In the long run, it's better to stay at home, with less for now, in order to have more later. (You know - things like peace and happiness.)
Thanks for continuing to set a good example for those of us who have yet to go through that particular season of life.
Good for you! I really appreciate how you hone in on certain aspects of the not-so-glamorous side of life and treat us to an honest glimpse of your thoughts. You're not brainwashed into thinking that domesticity is all there is to life, but you deliberately choose the path God has set before you and make the most of it.
I think that your experience is a great example of what it takes to be a suitable helpmeet: you try something out to help with the household income, but when it doesn't work to the best advantage of your family, you give it up in deference to the needs of your nearest and dearest, without regard to material considerations. I have to remind myself that what I do with my time to stretch the household budget is practically earning an income in and of itself, since our expenditures would be significantly higher were I not investing the time to bake, clean, and shop for bargains myself. It's a different world to conquer, but no less satisfying. And cheers to you for not being afraid to try something new.
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