{"id":2916,"date":"2011-02-28T21:24:31","date_gmt":"2011-02-28T19:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents-blog\/?p=2916"},"modified":"2022-09-30T19:21:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T17:21:59","slug":"find-fulfillment-as-a-stay-at-home-mom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/parenting\/moms-mothers-single-mothers-being-a-mom\/find-fulfillment-as-a-stay-at-home-mom\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding fulfillment as a stay-at-home mom"},"content":{"rendered":"

I read an article in the Feb issue of Woman and Home entitled, \u201cDon\u2019t call me a housewife, I\u2019m a CHO(Chief Household Officer).\u201d<\/p>\n

I am currently a stay-at-home mom of two gorgeous kids aged 9 and 6, and interestingly my husband is the CEO of a very prestigious company. I would love to add a \u2018C\u2019 to my title.<\/p>\n

A key message in the article indicated that \u201cthe role of housewife is not going to go away, but it\u2019s about empowerment, and\u00a0bringing challenge, enjoyment and status back to a role in decline.\u201d\u00a0 This line touched a chord with me as I believe that I have experienced this very phenomenon and would like to share my story.<\/p>\n

I have experienced a glamorous corporate career as a chartered accountant, and a second very rewarding, yet challenging career as a teacher.<\/p>\n

As a teacher I had the opportunity to inspire young people, and contribute meaningfully to their growth and learning. I taught business studies at matric level and could use my CA experience to make lessons \u2018real world\u2019 and interesting. However, the teaching workload was immense. I also found that a lot of teaching time was lost in playing policeman in the classroom. I realised how important my role is as a parent in raising my kids to have good manners and to instill a learning culture in them from a young age.<\/p>\n

In 2008, we had begun to build a new home, and I found myself becoming the unofficial building project manager looking after builders, plumbers, etc., an unpaid, unglamorous, super stressful role.\u00a0 Eventually, I let go my teaching job to focus on getting the house built.\u00a0 Thankfully,that experience is behind me and we now live in a beautiful home.<\/p>\n

I chose not to return to formal teaching,being fully aware that the demands were too high on my\u00a0 family time.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, at home I sometimes felt lonely and unfulfilled. Being \u201cjust a mommy\u201d is not very intellectually stimulating and carries no status in society. Added to this, my husband\u2019s promotion to CEO triggered a few self-esteem issues. I asked myself, \u201cAm I okay being just a supporting actress in the Sita Family Show?\u201d<\/p>\n

Anyway, I turned 40 last year and began to explore things that I find uplifting – art, writing ,reading, volunteering at schools and studying Vedanta philosophy. I also found like-minded people to team up with in these endeavours.<\/p>\n

My Vedanta studies led me to formulating an ideal for myself. It is \u201cTo build a community of caring, creative, thinking children who will contribute to the world in a positive way\u00a0 with a strong self-belief as well as sound values and judgement. I have begun to work on this ideal at home, and within my community and neighbouring schools. In pursuit of this ideal, I see my own fulfillment arising whether in a formal or informal job.<\/p>\n

Hence, I now feel at peace as I am able to fulfill that vital role of CHO (I love the term), while still following my personal aspirations and giving myself the respect I believe I am due.<\/p>\n

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