Home Sweet Simple Home

Happy Blog-O-versary!

Oh, goodness!
I just realized today is my one year blog-iversary!
Blogging one year and I have almost 700 posts under my belt (in fact this post is number 699!). Whoa!
And so I say "Happy Anniversary Home Sweet Simple Home".
I have learned a lot- that it doesn't take acreage and wide open spaces to have a homestead, that I can homeschool,  that I am working to become the wife and mother God has always been leading me towards and most of all that I can make new friends that touch my heart without ever having met them in person (that's you all!).
What a wonderful year it has been here!
So in honor of such a stupendous occasion and in reminiscing- go here to read my very first post! And this is my second post- a good one for starting.
And may I add- Thank you to each and everyone who visits here with me!

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2:18 PM, 2006-Dec-27 .. Posted by Kitty

Happy Aniversary Amy.
Kitty

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8:20 PM, 2006-Dec-27 .. Posted by southernbelle

Happy Blog-O-versary to Y O U !!!!

Happy Anniversary

9:20 AM, 2006-Dec-28 .. Posted by Lynne

Amy, Congratulations on one year of blogging. I read the first and second blogs you posted. I was suprised about your feelings you posted about being a SAHM.
Being much older than you, and having lived through the early stages of the women's movement, I am saddened that anyone would express, even momentarily, any thoughts like that.
The whole point of the women's movement was that women should be respected and recognized for the contributions they make to society. The other key aspect is that women should have the right to make choices in careers and lifestyles. Choosing to homeschool (if you think this is the best for your family), choosing to not work outside the home or work part-time (if you think this is the best for your family), all of this was the goal of the women's movement. What you are doing is important and deserves respect.
We once had some neighbors who were both engineers. They had three children. The wife was on the fast career track working with the Hubble telescope. The husband really wanted to quit work, as he made less money and wanted to be at home full time with the kids. He used to tell us that if his wife could just get one more promotion, he could quit work (until the kids were grown, then he would go back to work as an engineer).
The wife got the next promotion, and he quit his job. He was the only "stay at home dad" we knew. Everyone in his family loved it. He became president of the school PTO, he coached all three of his kids soccer teams, he started an after school science club, he taught a confirmation class at his church, and he also mopped floors, did laundry, shopped, and cooked.
The key point is that each couple has to be in agreement with what is best for their family, and then they have to be confident and demand respect for their decision. I could never imagine homeschooling; in fact we are very happy with our public schools. However, I have no doubt that homeschooling is best for your children because you and your husband have made a thoughtful, intelligent decision to do this.
Congratulations once again on your one year anniversary. I also congratulate you on showing your daughters a self-confident role model of a mother who isn't afraid to make difficult committments like homeschooling in a largely non-homeschooled USA.

Thanks

11:51 AM, 2006-Dec-28 .. Posted by YPAmy5

Thank you all for your lovely comments.
Lynne- thanks for sharing so much too. As that post is a year old you know that I have grown into the roles of wife and mom much more comfortably this past year. I lot of growth has been tracked on this blog. I agree with you but also must say that the "women's movement" has brought us a lot of pain and some wrong thinking also. Just as with any good thing- there is always a flip side (homeschooling too).
My brother is a stay-at-home dad while his wife is a teacher. He also runs a couple of internet businesses from his home while taking care of his son and the homefront. I could not be more proud of him. He has always desired to work from home and be a more hands-on Dad. God is blessing them for it.
I am working on being the wife and mom God is calling me to be and I have only, over the last couple of years, quieted down enough to actually listen to what God has been speaking to my heart for many years.
You are quite right when you said that that each couple has to be in agreement with what is right for their family. May I also add that we must make sure it is what God wants for our family too? :o) I couldn't do what I do if it wasn't for God's and my husband's leading. Of that I am certain.
I think we are seeing the other side of the women's movement- where once we had to justify the need for respect and equal treatment in the work force and such now I see us justifying the desire/need to stay home and be respected for that decision too. This is something I use to deeply struggle with. I grew up thinking that I had to "do more" than just be a wife and a mom. Slowly I am changing that "stinkin' thinkin'" and have realized that those are important jobs in and of themselves.
Thank you for your thought provoking comments and for reminding me of how I have grown this past year and to always be mindful of how much I still need to.

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3:08 PM, 2006-Dec-28 .. Posted by Lynne

Amy, I work for a major corporation as does my husband. It saddens me to think that anyone would feel inferior because they have chosen to be a full time home manager. I do know what you are talking about when you describe the pressure to be "someone important"...i.e. title, job and money.
I had a high level female manager (someone responsible for over 30 employees, probably making $200,000) in my division of my company who spent a day working with me a few years ago. She confided to me how she and her children were totally miserable. Her very important job required frequent travel, and her husband was a high level bond trader in NYC. She told me the week before working with me she left for an international trip. Her 4 year old daughter's preschool called her because the daughter was so upset she would only sit in her chair refusing to talk to anyone, interact, play, or even eat ALL DAY.
I was just so shocked at this confession. It was sad, because it was like this woman was asking me if I would think less of her if she quit her job. It was obvious that something had to change, either with her job or with her husband's. They did have a live in nanny, but the kids literally only saw their parents on the weekends.
The week after working with me, this woman resigned. Everyone was surprised because this woman was the "example" of how a woman could have it all: marriage, kids, and a very successful career. I don't think most people knew the truth.
I guess I look at things like this. There are seasons in your life, just like there are seasons in nature. There is a season of child raising, and this is probably about 20 years. Given that most women live to be 80, that still leaves 40 years outside of child raising and your own childhood. 40 years is a lot of time to start a career or do whatever you feel is important. After your children are grown, you may choose to use your degree to earn money for retirement savings or your childrens' college costs. Right now you are using your degree to provide your children with private education. I think what you and your brother are doing is commendable. Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful 2007.