I read a blog some time ago written by a mother with small children and she was frustrated with people seeing her as “just a Mom”. She wrote about her degrees and pre-baby professional credits. Turns out that in the “real world”, she was something(!) and it is important to her that people know that before they lump her in as “just a Mom”.
I also take offense to being called “just a Mom”, but it has nothing to do with who I was before kids or my personal worth to the working world. I take offense because we live in a society that has degraded the honorable profession of Homemaking to such a degree that even those women who do stay home feel obliged to present a resume.
A woman who stays home and treats her role as she would any other high ranking profession is a fine gift to not only her family, but her immediate community. My worth to my community as a professional Mama was made very clear to me in recent days.
An incident occurred in the home of three siblings who frequently hang out at my house. Police were called, and then came the ambulance, the fire truck, and many more police cars. Crime scene tape went up and detectives in suits with guns at their hips donned rubber gloves and marched in and out of the front door.
They were all summoned by a terrified eight year old boy who I had just moments before walked home from the bus stop. I stepped outside when I saw the ambulance, knowing full well that that little boy was without a grown up, and hesitated for just a second at the foot of my staircase. He was on his front porch talking to a police man when he caught sight of me.
“Miss Amy!” He flew down the stairs and into my arms, weeping into my apron. In that instant, I had no idea what trauma occurred, but I knew that this was certainly a moment when a professional Mama was needed.
I took him up to my apartment and got him settled before I went back outside to meet his older siblings at their bus stops amid all the chaos of flashing lights and sirens.
At some point during all of this, the kids’ Mom was made aware that I was handling her children. She was immediately relieved. This woman and I have never spoken beyond neighborly hellos. She does not know me. But she knows I am a professional Mama. And she took comfort knowing that her kids were getting professional help.
I spoke with a few officers and monitored a bit when the kids met one by one with a crisis counselor. When all the dust settled and they were all packing to leave I was thanked by those men for being there. The crisis counselor stopped for a minute before leaving and asked me, “And you? How are you holding up? What do you make of all of this?”
I thought for a moment before telling him, “I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I wake up daily in my field of mission. I am just pleased to have been right where He needed me to be with the right tools for the job at hand.”
I write this because I hope to embolden you professional Mamas out there. You are more significant now than at any other time in your life. Your challenge is greater now than ever. And your worth is at its peak. Never disown your profession as anything less than honorable.
Sarah says:
I am glad a professional was there to handle the children.
I am proud of you for being a professional in your neighborhood.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Cat says:
Amy – Awesome!! I’m temporarily teary thinking about how you ‘rescued’ the kids during their emotional need and what a comfort that was to their Mom.
I cheer for the day when our society recognizes these everyday acts of heroism and how valuable loving, prepared and present parents are as they give stability to our communities.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Susan says:
You totally rock!
I am envious of your ability to be there for those children. I know that you have been placed into your mission field. I see it occasionaly and hear of it daily.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Potty Mummy says:
Well done Amy, they were lucky to have you there. God forbid anything like that ever happens here, I hope there is someone like you living nearby to take the children in. And for a more light-hearted take on the ‘just a mom’ thing, check this out:
http://tankgirl77.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-recieved-following-in-email-not-too.html
April 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Chris says:
Good job Mrs. Amy. I doubt Statler or waldorf could have done any better.
So what happened to the Mom anyway?
April 24th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Kim Heinecke says:
Beautifully done. Loved reading this.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Growing in Grace (Nicole) says:
This was a great post for me to read today. I’m so glad for them that you were there.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
ktlonghorn says:
You were right where God intended you to be. I’m proud to know you and horored to know that you stepped up to help someone in need.
You as well as the family will be in my prayers.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Chinell says:
Amen! I love being a stay at home mom, but sometimes the reaffirmation is needed. Awesome job!
April 24th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
deleise says:
What truth. Great post.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Christy says:
Thanks Amy, just the reminder I needed to hear today. And I believe without a doubt that you were there for those kids because God put you there at just that moment. Thanks for sharing your mama skills/love/comfort with them. I’m sure they needed it.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Robin Meadows says:
I am Robin Meadows….I am a MOM. Thanks for writing this!!
April 25th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Natalie Witcher says:
That’ll preach.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
runningmama says:
That was beautiful. Thank you for giving those of us wearing mashed carrots on our shirts a bit of dignity.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Nicole says:
I got chills and teary reading your post. Very well written. I am glad you were there.
Let me know if they need meals.
April 26th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Brandy Thixton says:
Thank you so much for this encouragement! It’s easy to forget how important our role is. Thanks for the reminder!
April 26th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Jenni says:
Beautiful truth; thank you.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Tabitha says:
Hi, my name is Tabitha, and I just found your blog by randomly clicking on other blogs. I am so glad I did. I am one of those stay-at-home moms who has been feeling lately like I need to have a resume. Thanks for this post. It’s something I needed to hear today.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
craig in austin says:
YEAH!!! Yes, yes, yes, YES! That’s one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. Awesome! By the way, you might want to watch the extras/bonus film from the Incredible’s. It was a very nice surprise.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:39 pm