I just wrote a response to a blog post (that I liked) on the topic of the latest Mommy Wars. I'm re-posting that content here:
Just thought I’d add an interpretation I’ve come up with. Some new vocabulary we could use.
being a mom is a job.
having a (paid) job is a job.
being a caregiver (like of mom or dad) is a job.
So, some women have multiple jobs. Its easier to do a good job at a job if you’re not over extended. To some extent we can compensate for having multiple jobs by outsourcing some of the less meaningful work. Depends on income, access, community, etc. When I’ve been overextended with more than one job, typically, I make hard choices and don’t do parts of it. (like my house is a pig sty, etc. or I don’t do my kid’s 4th grade mission model like other parents do, or perhaps I’m overqualified for my job… just perhaps) If I was committed to being a stay at home mom, I’d be a better one.
This brings me to the other vocabulary:
PRACTICE YOUR CRAFT
What did you study in college? Why did you pick your career path? To quit? Or because you’re good at it and like it?
We need to facilitate and enable women to practice their crafts. If it’s early childhood development, then fine, go for that 24/7. Otherwise, be a lawyer or an inventor or a EE for part of the day.
Otherwise, I’d like to propose that we stop educating girls. There’s no point in it. (Obviously bad idea, I hope you see.)
So there are a couple of my insights. It’s about new vocabulary. And policy to follow.