When I was pregnant with my first baby, my husband set up a prenatal massage for me as a birthday gift. In the lobby before the massage, I was asked to fill out a questionnaire about my pains and stresses, so that my massage therapist could best help me relax. On the line for “occupation,” I wrote, “homemaker.”
A gal probably a little younger than I went over the sheet of paper with me when I finished. She double checked my answers related to the prenatal nature of my massage, for safety, and then she asked, “What’s a homemaker?” I was a little self-conscious about it, because I knew how uncommon it is to be a college-educated woman without a “real” job–especially with no kids born yet. Basically, I was a Stay at Home Wife, which I admit sounds pretty ridiculous for a 24 year old non-millionaire.
I explained, “Well, when the baby is born, I’ll be a stay at home mom. My husband makes enough money to support us. So for now I volunteer a couple days a week and other than that stay home and take care of everything that needs to be done around the house.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Her completely genuine reply was unexpected: “That’s really cool!”
Every lifestyle has its pros and cons. For my personality, my heart’s desires, and my family’s culture, being a stay-at-home-mom/wife has significantly more pros than cons. And I do think it’s really cool! (Except during the third trimester of pregnancy. Then, I think it’s always hot.)
Laughed once