Words from Juliet

While sitting up in the lobby for journalism students with some fellow journalism majors, I brought up my blog topic for this week. One of the girls, Juliet Eby quickly stated "I definitely want to be a career mom." So of course, I immediately asked her if she would be willing to be interviewed about her opinion for this blog.

Juliet said she wants to be a career mom, mainly because she wants to have a career. This statement might sound obvious, almost redundant, but when she expounded on it, it really made a lot of sense. She said she wants to continue developing her talents by actually using them. Basically what our hypothetical "Rene" (in my last post) wanted. She didn't want to waste the time and money it took her to learn how to be a journalist. Or more specifically, a copy writer for an advertising agency (which is her desire after graduation.)

Her next reason made me laugh a little. "I don't necessarily want my kids to be stuck with me all day." She quickly clarified that that didn't mean she didn't want to be with her kids. The advice "everything in moderation" would probably be a good comparison.

Instead, Juliet would prefer that her children would be able to go to a daycare where they could play with other children besides their siblings. "I think they'd have more opportunities to explore, use their imaginations, and learn team work with other kids at an early age," Juliet said. She added that they would also learn to respect an authority outside the home from a young age.

Of course there are other reasons that women want to continue their careers after becoming moms.

Be a Career Mom—Guilt-Free

Let me present a scenario.

A young lady (I'll call her Rene) graduates from high school and chooses her major—let's say pre-med. After 4 years of undergrad, Rene completes her degree which she has now fallen in love with. At the same time, she falls in love with a guy (Craig) she met at school. The two get married right after Rene graduates and move back to Craig's hometown near Durham, North Carolina. While Craig works at a local business, Rene decides to continue her education and applies to Duke University to become a physician assistant.

Within 3 years, Rene finishes her schooling and begins working in the area. But in the meantime, Craig and Rene discover they are about to start a family. Rene now has to make a choice. Does she waste her years of education (and money obtaining it)? Does she forfeit her job to remain home? Craig has a good paying job, so it isn't as if they would suffer without her added income. But Rene loves being a physician assistant.

This little "story" is completely hypothetical, but it represents the situation thousands, perhaps millions of moms find themselves in each year. What if I tell you that Rene loves her job and career path, and wants to work full-time (like 32% of mothers in the U.S.) She also feels that she would be able to balance her home and work life. You might ask, "Why does she hesitate in her decision?"

Week 2: Career Mom vs. Stay-at-Home Mom

This week I chose “career” mom vs. “stay-at-home” mom as my topic. I’ve always been pretty adamant about staying at home once I have kids, mainly because my mom stayed at home with my brother and me. I loved it! I have wonderful memories of going to the aquarium, library, and park. Of her reading to us and watching shows with us in the middle of the day. I knew my mom was always there for me. When I was at school, she would bring me something I forgot at home or take me home and care for me when I was sick. 

Some call this “spoiled.” I call it “blessed.”  Several of my friends would tell me they wished their own moms would have been home more, done more fun things with them. I don’t want my kids saying that of me some day.

Earlier today, though, I was awakened to the idea that there are not just two sides to this coin. In between is the “working” mom. A mother who has to work to either provide or help provide for her family or to help lessen the load of the father (keeping him from having multiple jobs.) This is not the type of mom that this week’s topic will side with, because like the “stay-at-home” mom, I already agree with “working” mom.

­­Last week I defended homeschooling, and through my hours of research, I’ve actually become more open to the idea of homeschooling. (Though I have not become a “die-hard” homeschool advocate by any stretch of the imagination.)

I don’t think my opinion will be as susceptible to change on this issue as with the homeschooling one, but who knows? So here goes Week 2: “Career Mom vs. Stay-at-Home Mom.”