Friday, May 8, 2009

Words are our arsenal

Years ago, a former boss said "words are our arsenal."  That phrase occurs to me whenever I am asked the minefield question "what do you do."  My answer stumbles - well, I was a lawyer you see, then I opted out and now I am a stay-at-home mom, except for when I'm a freelance writer, actress - oh, and my last child will leave home in a year.  Honestly, I go my gym, Equinox fitness in Woodbury.  It is my office, the place I go regularly and where I have colleagues.  But, basically, I don't really 'do' anything.  Well, today I am going to lunch with my sisters.  Does that count?

 Blame society, but we women manage to shoot ourselves in the foot just fine when, as stay-at-homes, we refer to ourselves as  'doing nothing' [yes, my dear Harvard Business School graduate friend, I am referring to you!].  I was so amused by a recent New York Times article describing the difficult adjustment experienced by recently unemployed men who are now at home focusing on their children.  Why wasn't it news when I felt exactly the same way?  How can it be assumed that any highly educated person will be  complacent to leave a career to care for children when that job ranks way down on the the social totem pole?    Somehow, the activity of raising children needs to be viewed as a job worthy of respect - an I don't exclude myself from being chastised.  On this topic, I highly recommend " The Price of Motherhood," by Anne Crittenden.  

Viewing one's self as 'not working' or 'not doing' anything productive is dangerously depressing.  We are always doing something; looking for a job, caring for children, developing a new business or actively taking a break.    So, what is a soon to be excessed Mom to do?   I fear that employers take a dim view of outsourced stay-at-homes.  At the moment, my solution is to use my writing skills.  My objective is work as a consultant to write web content, marketing materials and consult with not for profit organizations about marketing and fundraising. We'll see how that goes.  for now, I am working on my blog.  Hope you enjoyed.

Have a great day!

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