Are You A "Kept Woman"?

{ 11:37, 17 January 2008 } { Posted in The Word and The Way } { 6 comments } { Link }

Raise your hand if you're a "Kept Woman" too.

Well, I've had a my share of interesting comments said to me, (or about me) because I'm a stay-at-home mom. ( Although, at different times and stages of our marriage, this has changed and I've worked for short periods of time for various reasons.) Add to that the fact that I'm also a homeschooler and the interesting comments just about double. And basically, I think we've heard them all before, right ladies? Well, I've recently heard a new one and it took me by surprise, so much, that I was unable to even muster up a reply.

I was in a conversation with a wife and mother of two children, a new homeschooler, and she asked me if I "work". Well, I did not even attempt to try and give some kind of cute explanation in reference to the word "work" because I didn't think it was necessary, and I knew she meant work outside of my home, so I simply said "No." She was quiet for a moment and then she matter-of-factly said, "So, you just live off of your husband then." There was silence. I was a little shocked to hear that phrase "just live off of your husband" and I didn't say anything. She just looked at me strangely then changed the subject. Wow! That felt weird. I guess, because technically I do live "off of my husband" in the sense that currently he is the only one supplying the finances for our family. I prefer to think that I, or that we both, just live off of God, seeing that I believe that ultimately He is the one that provides for us. But, I suppose that humanly, this is the way people look at it.

My husband and I both know, from experience, that my working out side of our home did not help our financial situation. In fact, the times when I have done this, it made things more stressful for our family, financially, emotionally, and practically since we had to put out extra money for several things on which I would not have otherwise spent money; a babysitter, my transportation to and from the job, new clothing, shoes, accessories, and items which I would not have needed normally, and food - for the kids to have with at the sitters, for me to eat while I was at work, something to serve as a quick meal for when we all got home. And frankly, the small amount of income which I was bringing in did not go much further past these extra expenses. And the added stress on all of us, especially the children, was not worth the few extra pennies we ended up with.

We all have our own stories, reasons, preferences, and convictions which cause us to choose the way we live. And I am not about to criticize families who have chosen to have the mom take employment outside of her home, especially since I have done that from time to time myself. I guess I am just sharing these things because I was so taken a-back by the comment this woman made to me. It had never occurred to me that others would look at our family and our situation and think something like that. And a negative thought had never crossed my mind about her because she does work outside of her home. I suppose I am a little naive, I don't know.

It's interesting to me when through a simple question here or a little phrase there I find out what people are really thinking. I am not angry, or bitter, I am honestly and frankly surprised.

I know it is not the way of Christ to look down on others, and Paul exhorts us to not compare ourselves with one another, and so I am not attempting to criticize anyone who makes different life choices than me, or to start a debate on the topic of staying at home, working at home, or working outside of the home. So, please don't misunderstand me. I am just expressing my sheer surprise, probably more accurately my shock, at the notion that I am "living off of my husband". Interesting.

But I do suddenly have this urge to pin a banner to my shirt, raise a sign and call out, "Kept Women Unite!" *chuckling*

{ Post a Comment }

Hi

{ 01:49, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by cindy }
Amen to that..
Thank you for stopping in at my blog. I will surly pray for you too. I am trying so hard to get my house in order and oh each little step is just a cleansing for me.
I pray that you have a wonderful weekend and Keep on being a KEEPER!!

<i>Untitled Comment</i>

{ 08:27, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by Anonymous }
*giggling* I have never had such a comment made to me. I can only imagine how shocked you were at this. You and I both know that staying home is just as much work taking care of the family and the house, as working outside of the house. I am given such joy to be able to do this myself and please my husband and children and be here when they need me.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Amy Jo :) Thanks for stopping by.
And yes, it is a joy and a blessing to be able to be at home and care for our families. It's funny, because now that my oldest two are out on their own, I feel even more that I wish they were here so I could take care of them.

Edited by Agsd7 on 18 January 2008 at 12:37

Untitled Comment

{ 02:12, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by Kitty }
It is so funny to me how most people will just blurt things out without thinking of the effect it may or may not have on a person. My dh has a neice that always comes to eat at my home because basically she never cooks at her own home. And each time she eats here, she tells me that something wasnt good, or that she didn't care for it. Each time it surprises me that a person could be so, for the lack of a better word, cruel. I have never and would never tell anyone anything mean to their faces. Like my grandma use to say, "If everyone in the world was like us, it would be a better place. " I guess grandma was right, lol.............Kitty--- OH and PS, I too live off of my husband, LOL.

Love it!

{ 03:19, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by Jonash2004 }
My pet peeve is when people ask "what do you do?" like nothing inside my home counts. :)

Just wanted to raise my hand as a "kept" woman! :)

Blessings!
Ashley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haha, yay for Ashley. You will get your "I'm A Kept Woman" button in the mail soon. :)

Edited by Agsd7 on 22 January 2008 at 11:10

I'm raising my hand high too!!

{ 12:58, 28 January 2008 } { Posted by leighannwhitten }
Oh my gosh, it's hard to believe that at least one person thinks that way. I've never thought of it that way myself, but, to each his own I suppose!
Thanks for sharing this with all of us "kept" women!!
Blessings,
Leigh-Ann

Isn't it funny?

{ 06:10, 28 January 2008 } { Posted by MissionaryMom }
Do you ever feel sorry for family members or friends who have to work to live like the Jones'? I am glad for the way I live, and would not like to have to go back to the other way. When you are a kept woman, your husband is a "kept man". What do I mean by that? I mean that he is "kept" happy, well fed, and has a nice home to come home to!

Kept women unite!

~~~~~~
Wow, I never thought of it that way! A "kept man", that is soo true, I like that! Thank you, Missionary Mom. :)

Edited by Agsd7 on 29 January 2008 at 01:43

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Be Keepers Of the Word, Of the Way
~"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."~ 3 John 1:4 ~~
About Me: Welcome! I am a wife of 23 yrs. to a hard working husband, mother to 7 wonderful, amazing children, a home educator, raised in the city, new to living in the country, an adopted child of God desiring to live and walk in His ways. 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Page 1 of 130 † Last Page \| Next Page †	Are You A "Kept Woman"? { 11:37, 17 January 2008 } { Posted in The Word and The Way } { 6 comments } { Link } Raise your hand if you're a "Kept Woman" too. Well, I've had a my share of interesting comments said to me, (or about me) because I'm a stay-at-home mom. ( Although, at different times and stages of our marriage, this has changed and I've worked for short periods of time for various reasons.) Add to that the fact that I'm also a homeschooler and the interesting comments just about double. And basically, I think we've heard them all before, right ladies? Well, I've recently heard a new one and it took me by surprise, so much, that I was unable to even muster up a reply. I was in a conversation with a wife and mother of two children, a new homeschooler, and she asked me if I "work". Well, I did not even attempt to try and give some kind of cute explanation in reference to the word "work" because I didn't think it was necessary, and I knew she meant work outside of my home, so I simply said "No." She was quiet for a moment and then she matter-of-factly said, "So, you just live off of your husband then." There was silence. I was a little shocked to hear that phrase "just live off of your husband" and I didn't say anything. She just looked at me strangely then changed the subject. Wow! That felt weird. I guess, because technically I do live "off of my husband" in the sense that currently he is the only one supplying the finances for our family. I prefer to think that I, or that we both, just live off of God, seeing that I believe that ultimately He is the one that provides for us. But, I suppose that humanly, this is the way people look at it. My husband and I both know, from experience, that my working out side of our home did not help our financial situation. In fact, the times when I have done this, it made things more stressful for our family, financially, emotionally, and practically since we had to put out extra money for several things on which I would not have otherwise spent money; a babysitter, my transportation to and from the job, new clothing, shoes, accessories, and items which I would not have needed normally, and food - for the kids to have with at the sitters, for me to eat while I was at work, something to serve as a quick meal for when we all got home. And frankly, the small amount of income which I was bringing in did not go much further past these extra expenses. And the added stress on all of us, especially the children, was not worth the few extra pennies we ended up with. We all have our own stories, reasons, preferences, and convictions which cause us to choose the way we live. And I am not about to criticize families who have chosen to have the mom take employment outside of her home, especially since I have done that from time to time myself. I guess I am just sharing these things because I was so taken a-back by the comment this woman made to me. It had never occurred to me that others would look at our family and our situation and think something like that. And a negative thought had never crossed my mind about her because she does work outside of her home. I suppose I am a little naive, I don't know. It's interesting to me when through a simple question here or a little phrase there I find out what people are really thinking. I am not angry, or bitter, I am honestly and frankly surprised. I know it is not the way of Christ to look down on others, and Paul exhorts us to not compare ourselves with one another, and so I am not attempting to criticize anyone who makes different life choices than me, or to start a debate on the topic of staying at home, working at home, or working outside of the home. So, please don't misunderstand me. I am just expressing my sheer surprise, probably more accurately my shock, at the notion that I am "living off of my husband". Interesting. But I do suddenly have this urge to pin a banner to my shirt, raise a sign and call out, "Kept Women Unite!" chuckling { Post a Comment } Hi { 01:49, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by cindy } Amen to that.. Thank you for stopping in at my blog. I will surly pray for you too. I am trying so hard to get my house in order and oh each little step is just a cleansing for me. I pray that you have a wonderful weekend and Keep on being a KEEPER!! <i>Untitled Comment</i> { 08:27, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by Anonymous } giggling I have never had such a comment made to me. I can only imagine how shocked you were at this. You and I both know that staying home is just as much work taking care of the family and the house, as working outside of the house. I am given such joy to be able to do this myself and please my husband and children and be here when they need me. God's Blessings, Amy Jo ~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi Amy Jo :) Thanks for stopping by. And yes, it is a joy and a blessing to be able to be at home and care for our families. It's funny, because now that my oldest two are out on their own, I feel even more that I wish they were here so I could take care of them. Edited by Agsd7 on 18 January 2008 at 12:37 Untitled Comment { 02:12, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by Kitty } It is so funny to me how most people will just blurt things out without thinking of the effect it may or may not have on a person. My dh has a neice that always comes to eat at my home because basically she never cooks at her own home. And each time she eats here, she tells me that something wasnt good, or that she didn't care for it. Each time it surprises me that a person could be so, for the lack of a better word, cruel. I have never and would never tell anyone anything mean to their faces. Like my grandma use to say, "If everyone in the world was like us, it would be a better place. " I guess grandma was right, lol.............Kitty--- OH and PS, I too live off of my husband, LOL. Love it! { 03:19, 18 January 2008 } { Posted by Jonash2004 } My pet peeve is when people ask "what do you do?" like nothing inside my home counts. :) Just wanted to raise my hand as a "kept" woman! :) Blessings! Ashley ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Haha, yay for Ashley. You will get your "I'm A Kept Woman" button in the mail soon. :) Edited by Agsd7 on 22 January 2008 at 11:10 I'm raising my hand high too!! { 12:58, 28 January 2008 } { Posted by leighannwhitten } Oh my gosh, it's hard to believe that at least one person thinks that way. I've never thought of it that way myself, but, to each his own I suppose! Thanks for sharing this with all of us "kept" women!! Blessings, Leigh-Ann Isn't it funny? { 06:10, 28 January 2008 } { Posted by MissionaryMom } Do you ever feel sorry for family members or friends who have to work to live like the Jones'? I am glad for the way I live, and would not like to have to go back to the other way. When you are a kept woman, your husband is a "kept man". What do I mean by that? I mean that he is "kept" happy, well fed, and has a nice home to come home to! Kept women unite! ~~~~~~ Wow, I never thought of it that way! A "kept man", that is soo true, I like that! Thank you, Missionary Mom. :) Edited by Agsd7 on 29 January 2008 at 01:43 { Last Page } { Page 30 of 60 } { Next Page }	Recent Posts Now That's Service Under Construction Who doesn't have a headache today? 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Be Keepers

Of the Word, Of the Way

~"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."~ 3 John 1:4 ~~

Are You A "Kept Woman"?

Hi

<i>Untitled Comment</i>

Untitled Comment

Love it!

I'm raising my hand high too!!

Isn't it funny?