It took me a long time and a shiny new job, but I have to say that I L-O-V-E being a working mom these days.
I love the challenge in the office but I love that my new job is fewer hours, meaning more time with Harrison.? I love how much my kid loves his school but I also love my paycheck.
Last week, my post on why daycare rocks a box of unicorn sprinkles was syndicated on Yahoo! Shine and of course the comments came flooding in.? Mostly about how I shouldn?t have children if I can?t be with them and how selfish women like me are what is wrong with the world.? Not like it?s 2012 with women?s liberation and education and a crashing economy that requires many of us to go back to work after having babies.? That?s just the crazy in me talking, I suppose.
In response, I thought I would try and debunk some of the ?myths? surrounding women that work outside of the home:
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We only work for money
There's a lot of reasons that women choose to return to work - finances, health care benefits, certifications, or just because she loves to work.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-only-work-for-money
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We don't nurse our babies
On the contrary, many of my working momma friends were able to establish good breastfeeding skills before returning to work.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-dont-nurse-our-babies
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We don't pay attention to our children
Personally, I don't get work emails on my phone. We have family dinner & we go to the park regularly. I save lunch hours to attend daycare functions, like his fall party next week. I try to not let my office life effect things that Harry wants to do.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-dont-pay-attention-to-our-children
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We get to pee alone
If by "alone" you mean a mere foot from a coworker I barely know, trying not to laugh as she farts or praying someone doesn't come in after I've had Chilli 4Evah for lunch, then yes! I pee alone every day.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-get-to-pee-alone
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We let someone else raise our babies
Yes, his daycare teachers have a big role in his learning, but they were selected by me for being the best. And I do believe I'm still the one answering the 3am wake-up calls, not the daycare center.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-let-someone-else-raise-our-babies
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We're not nurturing
Because only trolls could walk away from a crying toddler every day, right? It takes a lot of pep talks and tearful calls to my husband after drop-off, but I remember that I have to put on my game face before I step in the office. But not a moment goes by that I don't think of my little man.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#were-not-nurturing
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We have housekeepers
Sure, some do! But not all of us are able to afford it, which means that I'm scrubbing floors in the evenings or on the weekends.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-have-housekeepers
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We're miserable in our choice
There are hard days. There are days I miss my child horribly. But there is also great personal fulfillment in employment that cannot be denied.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#were-miserable-in-our-choice
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We work because we're spoiled and want fancy clothes
A lot of us work to afford basic necessities, like a roof over our heads and food on the table.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-work-because-were-spoiled-and-want-fancy-clothes
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We should have married better men with better jobs
And your momma should have taught you better manners. I like my man just fine, thank you.
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-should-have-married-better-men-with-better-jobs
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We are stressed to the max
Okay, this one is pretty true just because I am juggling work, motherhood, romance, house, etc. But I can still carve out time for friends and relaxation if you let me know far enough in advance!
/toddler-times/2012/10/18/11-myths-about-mothers-who-work-outside-of-the-home/#we-are-stressed-to-the-max
More from BA:
Stay at home versus work at home versus working.
What I?m struggling with as a mom these days.
How I?m trying to deal with it.
Symptoms of pneumonia in toddlers.
Symptoms of Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease
The food allergy debate.
Beth Anne writes words & takes pictures at Okay, BA! You can also find her on theTwitters & Facebook.
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