As I sat in my neighborhood café, I overheard a conversation that made me wince. The scene unfolded before me: a well-dressed woman, her hair sleek and nails immaculate, greeted her friend with enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful to see you! How have you been? What’s new with you?” she asked, radiating confidence.
“I’m doing well, thanks! Life is busy, as always. After my daughter was born, I decided to stay home. I’m just a stay-at-home mom,” her friend replied, her voice trailing off as she looked away, almost apologetic.
Just. Just. Just.
There it was—the all-too-familiar “just a stay-at-home mom” phrase. Can we please retire that word?
Dear mothers, I urge you to eliminate the term “just” when describing your role. This word has no place in the narrative of what you do. You are nurturing a human being! “Just” is for casual statements like, “I might just wear a t-shirt today,” or “We’ll just grab a sandwich for lunch.”
Think about it: when was the last time you heard someone diminish their profession with “just”? You never hear a teacher say, “I’m just a teacher,” or a doctor say, “I’m just a physician.” So why do so many women who choose to stay home feel compelled to belittle their significant and multifaceted roles?
Ironically, I’ve never heard a stay-at-home dad say, “I’m just a stay-at-home dad.” Instead, they often assert, “I take care of the kids and manage the household while my partner works.” Their confidence shines through because they recognize the immense value in their contributions.
Mothers, I encourage you to embrace your role with pride. Declare it boldly, just as fathers do. Understand that every woman deserves recognition and respect for her choice, whether she has a high school diploma or a PhD. Just as a school principal and a secretary are both essential to the education system, so too are all stay-at-home moms vital to the fabric of society.
It is crucial that women support one another in this journey. The next time you hear someone say, “I’m just a stay-at-home mom” or “I just work part-time,” step in and remind them, “You are not just anything.” Our ancestors fought hard for us to have the freedom to choose our paths, and they wouldn’t want us to feel inadequate in our choices.
No one should ever feel that their contributions do not matter. Because they do. Stand united, ladies.
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Summary
The article addresses the need for mothers to stop undermining their roles by using the word “just” in relation to being stay-at-home moms. It emphasizes that parenting is a significant and challenging job that deserves respect and recognition. The piece encourages women to take pride in their choices and to support one another in breaking down societal norms that diminish their contributions.