Us vs. Them . . . Can't We All Just Get Along?

Sorry if I completely grossed you out yesterday with my tale of a tail (I promise that's my last cheesy "tail" pun). I have a high threshold for grossness (I teach 4th grade) so sometimes I forget that others aren't quite as tolerant as me. Oops.

Anyway, things are moving along. I think Patrick is going to run (or drive . . . ha!ha! . . . I crack me up) the papers to the Secretary of State's office tomorrow to get apostilled. I'm curious to see exactly what this apostille is, and what makes it so stinkin' official.

Work is as usual flying by. My room is not ready, but I do have my lesson plans done for the first week. And all of the long range planning is done. Hallelujah!

Speaking of work (like the smooth segue? pretty good huh?), there's been a lot of talk lately about working moms vs. stay at home moms and vice versa. I'm not sure who started the whole competition, but somehow I don't think it was a mom because, if you hadn't noticed, most moms "work" whether it be inside the home or outside the home or both (I'm sure there are a few out there that lead a life of leisure, but I don't know them personally). Honestly, I don't think I have to justify why I work or even the fact that I work, to anyone but myself, my husband, and my children. But still, it always gets me all riled up when people think and/or imply that I'm less of a mother/wife because I work.

The truth is, I think it is a completely personal decision whether you choose to work or not. When people ask me why I work my short (and snappy) answer is usually, "to pay the bills". But in all honesty, there is more to it than that. I work so that we can pay the bills and still live somewhat comfortably. In addition, my husband is a self employed business owner so it is always good to have one steady income coming in at all times. Finally, while there are plenty of days when I would like to stay home, I like my job. I have a passion for education, and I like working with kids. That doesn't mean that I plan on teaching school forever, but for now, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. And no matter what I do, my most important jobs will always be being a wife and a mother.

So why tell you all this? Because I know that there are moms out there that feel guilty about going to work everyday, and I know there are other moms who feel like maybe they are settling by being a stay at home mom, and I don't think that either one should feel bad about their choice. If I had one word of advice for a new mother facing the whole work vs. stay home decision, it would be do what's best for you and your family both financially (sorry girls but that's an important one) and emotionally, and don't let others make you feel guilty about whichever choice you make. And that's all I have to say on the topic. Anyone that wants to chime in feel free.