It's happened. I've flipped. And I've decided I've got to say something.
I'm not usually one to go off half cocked, but it's time.
I've heard it and read it over and over again. And I'm tired of it. It's all the talk about how our society doesn't value mothers.
Pardon? Did I hear right?
Perhaps I have spent too much time living in developing countries to feel that we might be misled a tad? Because where we live in Australia, our government pays a bonus sum (no longer in lump sum, damnit) just for having a baby. It now gives us time off work with pay, and if you are on a low income, the government provides a fortnightly top up. For a very long time.
Sure, it's not perfect. But it's something right?
And if that wasn't bad enough...since when did we bother to care about what society said was good for us anyway?
After all, this is the same society that we live in that encourages size zero, and to idolise youth and outer beauty.
Not enough emphasis is placed on emotional intelligence, inside beauty, treating our neighbour the same as how we'd like to be treated, and we just don't seem to respect the elderly like we should. And that is just the beginning.
We spend a lot of our time wishing we were someone else doing something better, or being thinner, had better hair, less wrinkles, less freckles, more money, less cellulite.
What does that say about our society?
From me, you will never hear me utter those words, "Not enough importance is placed on being a mother."
Because as far as I'm concerned, if my kids think that what I'm doing matters and I know what I'm doing is important, then I don't care what anyone else thinks.
How about you?
I tend to agree with you on that count Kymmie. So long as each Mama is responsible for the love and care she gives her own children, what else matters!? I also agree that we are a pretty lucky country when it comes to the assistance we receive as parents. Do you ever get the feeling that some people just like to complain!?
ReplyDeleteOn a brighter note, that little man of yours is SO gorgeous, love that pic with his little duck under his arm :o) xo
As a non-mom I am probably not even qualified to comment, but I think I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteYou go Kim - totally agree with everything you said in this post! Your so awesome hun!
ReplyDeleteDamn straight Kymmie!! Well said! Being a mum is THE most important job in the world regardless of what anyone says..I've never been one to care what others think, as long as my children are happy and healthy that is all that matters.
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Absolutely! Seeing my four grow into the wonderful people they are today is all I need! So agree with you! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a stay at home mom with a home based business, but my life is focused on motherhood. I gave up life in the corporate world and makeing a 6 figure income to be home for my husbands kids, and I wouldn't change that! I know that they think it is more important that I be there for them than be at some office missing their sports, school events and life events!
ReplyDeleteAnna, The Pilot's Wife
I love this post. It made me ponder on the fact that I may just be better off if I give what "society thinks" the flick.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I did wonder how much emphasis society placed on motherhood when I have never received a cent for having my children, nor have I ever received maternity leave payment. I chose not to resign from nursing when I was pregnant, and resigned when my second child was five years old only because my nursing roster never matched my childcare days and I burst into tears with the stress of it. Resigning when not pregnant meant that I lost all of my love service leave (after 11 years service). Had I resigned pregnant, it would have been paid out pro rata.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't care. I have been to every sports day, awards ceremony and Mother's day morning teas. The gratitude and love my children (both older chn are girls) have shown me when they can depend on me to be at school excursions is all the payment I need.
High Five, love it. And love your new blog header too.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you think lady!! I've always thought it was pretty amazing that I had three babies in a public hospital for free (we're lucky - our hospital up here is pretty good), and then I've been paid just for having them. That pretty good in my opinion. I also had paid maternity leave with my first (DHS) I have not complaints.
ReplyDeleteKymmie, you've given me something to think about! Being from the states, we don't receive the same, generous benefits. It really depends upon who you work for. My husband got two weeks paternity leave for each of our children - VERY generous for any company. When I was working, I got two months paid leave, two months unpaid, and could have taken up to six months, without pay. Some women get six weeks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we've got to give ourselves the credit and not expect society to necessarily give us a pat on the back. It's hard, though...
Absolutely completely & utterly agree!
ReplyDeleteMan. I just get sick of whingers.
Honestly, I absolutely love this country. And feel so lucky to have been born into it.
Christ, has anyone seen the healthcare system in America? You have to labour in a 4 bedder shared room!
We get our own rooms, to bring in our own babies into the world.
Not to mention allll the income assistance from the government.
Our right to leave our jobs for 12 months, just to pick up where we left off if we so wish.
I could go on, and on, but what it boils down to ...
I love being an Australian mother :)
I agree Kymmie. And since when did a payment equate to 'value' anyway? x
ReplyDeleteAgreed! The look in my little girl's eyes is all I need to know I'm doing the right thing.
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