My Wife Used to Have a "Real" Job
Twenty some odd years ago my wife had a real job. It was with Ma Bell. She was in management and it was a great job with great benefits. When our kids came along we had to decide if she was going to continue working the real job or quit and stay home to take care of the kiddos. It was a big decision, because her real job paid well, had good bennies and it had the blessing of the general public. Staying at home with the kids did not. It was a huge decision for us because I ran a microscopic business and being self-employed, my benefits were non-existant and sometimes my income was as well. As foolish, free thinking, God-fearing, independant simple folk; after much prayer and maybe some counsel, we opted for 'mama' to stay home and rear our kids in the very best way we could. To most folks, this decision didn't make sense.
As it turned out, she ended up home educating our son and daughter before home schooling was anywhere near being acceptable. In fact, she was home schooling our kids before we even knew what 'home schooling' was. But that's a long story for another time.
Through it all, it was never a real job. Her only pay was the satisfaction that our son received a full academic scholership to the University of Texas at Arlington School of Engineering because of her devotion to their educational enrichment. That our daughter received top honors while matriculating at a local junior college and went on to receive a generous transfer academic scholarship to Southern Methodist Universtiy only vindicated our decision for her to quit her real job.
My wife's real job twenty years ago was a good one. We are thankful for it. But my wife's REAL, real job of devoting her life to our kids' education and edification was the one that gave her REAL satisfaction, regardless of the fact it was pro bono, sans a paycheck, provided no health care insurance, had no 401K retirement program or stock purchasing benefits. Furthermore, it was not an acceptable choice among 'mainstream' feminists.
Our payoff over the last twenty some years of her hard labor of love is the product of her dedicated devotion: our wonderful son and daughter who continue to succeed in their educational and life's pursuits.
She loved every minute of not having a real job, and she excelled in it! Our kids are living proof!
As it turned out, she ended up home educating our son and daughter before home schooling was anywhere near being acceptable. In fact, she was home schooling our kids before we even knew what 'home schooling' was. But that's a long story for another time.
Through it all, it was never a real job. Her only pay was the satisfaction that our son received a full academic scholership to the University of Texas at Arlington School of Engineering because of her devotion to their educational enrichment. That our daughter received top honors while matriculating at a local junior college and went on to receive a generous transfer academic scholarship to Southern Methodist Universtiy only vindicated our decision for her to quit her real job.
My wife's real job twenty years ago was a good one. We are thankful for it. But my wife's REAL, real job of devoting her life to our kids' education and edification was the one that gave her REAL satisfaction, regardless of the fact it was pro bono, sans a paycheck, provided no health care insurance, had no 401K retirement program or stock purchasing benefits. Furthermore, it was not an acceptable choice among 'mainstream' feminists.
Our payoff over the last twenty some years of her hard labor of love is the product of her dedicated devotion: our wonderful son and daughter who continue to succeed in their educational and life's pursuits.
She loved every minute of not having a real job, and she excelled in it! Our kids are living proof!
<< Home