Frugal Foodie Mama: Oh, Don't Mind Her. She's Just a Bored Housewife Now.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Oh, Don't Mind Her. She's Just a Bored Housewife Now.

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Every once in a while it is pleasant (and there is sarcasm here) to be reminded by some random person online that my opinions and thoughts are not valued quite as much now because I am a "bored housewife".  (There was an expletive included in that title, but in the spirit of keeping this blog space family friendly I have chosen to omit it.)

This got me thinking about how people in my life- those who know me well and those who have never even met me- just might view me when I express my thoughts or opinions on current events and political topics now.  Sometimes it feels like just because I made the decision to be a stay-at-home parent in this leg of the journey of my life, others may feel I have invalidated my college education and my 8 years of teaching.  

Like it never happened?

Yes, I have even been told before that I am "wasting" my college degree by not presently standing in the front of a classroom.  Since when did the weight of my intelligence depend upon how I am or am not using MY college degree to the satisfaction of others?  When did the arguments and points I make start to be seen as something to just occupy my time, a hobby for a meddling housewife?  

When I left the paid workforce?

Even if I never return to teaching, I will always value my college education and my teaching degree.  I will never view it as a waste.
It helped shape who I am today.  
Because of my college degree, I touched lives.  I met wonderful, cherished friends during some of these teaching jobs.
I learned so much about who I am and where I stand.

Yes, my college degree opened doors for me- and not just in my career.  

My education has shaped me into the mother I am now.
Am I saying you must have a college degree to be a good mother?  No, of course not.

But my education, my college degree, the years of experience I have is a part of who I am and that doesn't go away just because I am no longer receiving a paycheck twice a month 

Since when did choosing to make mothering my new career, my new education mean that my previous career, my past education are now null and void?

Are there any other previous working mothers turned stay at home parent who have experienced the same thing?