women and careers

Good topic.

Before we get individual, please note that the woman of Proverbs 31 was a real estate manager as well as a manufacturer....

I graduated from a public university. I spent 30 years, almost, teaching; some in a public arena, some in a private, and some not only as a home schooler but then as administrator of our own private school when other families asked for help with their children and I had to hire other teachers to help. So I have been at home and outside the home working.

Both are terribly difficult, actually. I needed energy for everything all the time. I wanted so badly to be able to be a mom who really took care of the home front and it was so rarely I was able to do that! I remember hitting the ground running around 5 a.m. and already being unconscious as I was falling into bed around 11 or midnight. I remember being so tired my skin itched and got jumpy. I remember being resentful and snappy with my own children when they had something which interrupted my carefully planned schedule.

It wasn't like this always -- there were many times I was able to take my time with them and be there -- really there -- for them.

My advice to my daughters? Whatever you do, do it with everything you have got. If you are going to be a mother, be the best mother you can possibly be. If you are going to have a career, then devote yourself to that. But don't, whatever you do, try to devote yourself to two different things at once. It will tear you apart and everyone will suffer. Being a wife and mother and homekeeper is a fulltime job if you consider that most things should be done by you: cooking, gardening, shopping, cleaning, organizing, volunteer work in classrooms, etc.

We need fulltime mothers desperately -- women who are happy being mothers and homemakers and who have the time for the generosity towards others that helps knit a society together.

 

1. Do you have a college degree? Is it from a state school or Christian college--I only have a three-year diploma from a Bible college. My education for my career was really on-the-job training. I wish I had a degree and sometimes I fantasize about going back to get one.

2. What type of profession are you in. What is your occupation?--I am the news director at a Christian radio station. I gather,write,and broadcast the news. I also do voice-over work on the side (narrating videos, voicing commercials,that sort of thing).

3. Do you have conflict at your home of your role in the home?--No, I am naturally pretty submissive and have always ceded most decisions to my husband. However, I do feel that my financial contribution to the home should be recognized and valued. And especially since I began working full-time, it sometimes bothers me that I don't get more help around the house.

When my children were small, I only worked part-time in the afternoons...they actually had their afternoon naps for the bulk of the time I was away from them! I rarely felt exhausted or that I wasn't up to fulfilling my motherly and housewifely duties, and I feel I spent plenty of time with my children.

4, Would you encourage your daughters to have a professional career?--Certainly, if that's what she wants to do. I would be equally as proud of her,though, if she chose to be a stay-at-home mom. And if she does choose to have a career, I would urge her to curtail her working, or take a sabbatical from it altogether, while her children are small.

Elizabeth

 

Kathy,
Well, I am glad to hear that. No, I went to a small community college in the Southwest while I was stationed at the nearby base.

HCL

 

I have a BA in music and Spanish (state university), and Masters in Music (from seminary). I eventually hope to teach music at the college/seminary level, but as for now, since I am a mama of 2 babies, I am teaching voice and piano privately. That way, I get the best of both worlds . I also do some writing and composition, which can be done at home. (Well, I DID do those things before entering the world of having 2 munchkins in diapers!!!)
I have no conflicts at home. Hubby is a pastor and PhD student, and we submit to each other.
Yes, I will encourage my kiddos to try to reach their goals and dreams and realize their callings from God, whatever that may be (unless its to be a missionary in Africa )
When my kiddos are older and it wont interfere with my "mothering", I want to go back to seminary and get a doctorate. This was my calling before God gave us children.
Good topic! This is interesting!
TaterTot

 

1. Doctorate - I went to undergrad. and grad./professional school at state universities.

2. Veterinarian - companion animal practice with an emphasis on surgery.

3. No conflict at all. Major decisions are mutual consensus. Minor decisions are as they come.

4. If we were to have a daughter I would certainly encourage her to have a career.

Brigit

P.S. There are plenty of private colleges that aren't Christian.

 

Cathy, considering my wife's work schedule it might be a while before she get's back to you. Also, I used to be an undergraduate admissions officer, so this is something of an area of expertise. First off, my undergraduate college - Berry - was never a Christian college. The new Chaplain (who was there for four years and finally realized he was in the wrong place) tried to make it one; but he's leaving now.

Secondly, there's a huge difference between having a Christian heritage and being a Christian college. You're right that many religious groups started private colleges as acts of public service or to aid in the training of clergy; but that does not make those schools Christian colleges (try transferring a biblical studies course from one of those schools into a Christian college and see what happens). A Christian college is one that has a Christian statement of faith and requires faculty to conform to that statement of faith.

As for private schools with no Christian heritage, one of the oldest - St. John's - comes to mind. Although there were clergy involved in its charter, they were explicit about not making faith a requirement for employment or attendance.

There are, of course, plenty of Jewish postecondary institutions as well.

Joshua

 

1. Do you have a college degree? Is it from a state school or Christian college?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Art from James Madison University, a state school. I completed it in 4 years.

2. What type of profession are you in. What is your occupation?

I teach art to middle school-aged children in the public schools.

3. Do you have conflict at your home of your role in the home?

NO!! Sometimes I have an awful lot on my plate, but somehow I always manage.

4. Would you encourage your daughters to have a professional career/Would you encourage your daughters to have a professional career?

Yes, as my mother had with me and my sister. My mother was a Stay At Home Mom who had high career aspirations for both me and my sister. College was not a choice, it was expected AND paid for. I was encouraged to "aim higher" than I did, but I was truly called to teach, so I made my own way. This is fortunate because it fits in with family life very well. My sister has a very high-paying, high-level position and works year 'round. If you ask me what she does, I can't tell you because I only know "school!"

 

1. Do you have a college degree? Is it from a state school or Christian college.

Urban Planning- Virginia Tech

2. What type of profession are you in. What is your occupation?
Preservation at a Library, in process of relocate and find Planning job.

3. Do you have conflict at your home of your role in the home?

No

4, Would you encourage your daughters to have a professional career

Yes

 

1. Do you have a college degree? Is it from a state school or Christian college

No, I went to Junior college for 4 years, but, haven't finished yet and now being a wife and mom, thats on the backburner.

2. What type of profession are you in. What is your occupation?

I was an accountant working for a mortgage bank for years until I had a nervous breakdown (stress from the job and my first marriage yuck!) I then I went to work for a famous art supply store (the oldest one in California) Where I met my husband.(who's an artist) When we bought our house (65 miles away from work for affordable housing prices) the commute was awful as our son rode in his car seat for an hour and a half each direction, Monday through Friday, crying the whole time. When I became pregnant with our second child, we elected that I should stay at home. Day care problems were also an issue. I now stay at home, rear my children, as is my responsibility not some one I've hired. And, I assist my husband in his home business. (one of his 2 jobs)

3. Do you have conflict at your home of your role in the home?

Not anymore

4. Would you encourage your daughters to have a professional career?

I will encourage them to get a college education and career skills. And do what God leads them to do.

I'll also encourage my son to do the same.

Wisdom Seeker

[ July 25, 2002, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]

 

I have worked in and out of the home back and forth depending on financial needs of our family throughout my marriage. I went to Bible College 87-91 but had 2 of my 4 children there, so needless to say I didn't finish up. I am back in college now after 10 years out working on a BS in religion from Liberty.

Most of my jobs have been in childcare, although I did teach kindergarten at a Christian School. I would like to teach again, but without teacher certification its hard to find a job that pays enough to cover childcare expenses for a 2 year old.

 

Hello, I'm brand new here. So this is my very first post! A good way to get to know you all

1. Do you have a college degree? Is it from a state school or Christian college?
I have a BS in secondary education from the University of Alabama. However, I finished my degree and have not been back to the classroom since student teaching.
2. What type of profession are you in. What is your occupation? I currently work as a secretary/admin, but have worked in real estate, daycare and laboratory testing since college.
3. Do you have conflict at your home of your role in the home? No, we've dealt with me working outside the home. I am expecting now and will be a SAHM with this second child. Praise God!
4, Would you encourage your daughters to have a professional career? Tough questions. I will encourage her to get a college education and then follow God's will regarding her future.

Wen

 

Well, as ya'll know, I'm not in college, and I'm not married, and don't have kids, but I wanted to tell you what I hope to do.
I plan on going to Tabernacle Bible College in Greenville South Carolina. It's not too far a drive from the town I live in. A lot of people from my church have/are went/going there.
If the Lord dosn't have some poor, unfortuanate fellow {anyone that ends up with me would be} out there for me, I will hopefully get a degree in choiral/Music and teach choir to girls at a Bible college.
If some poor guy ends up with me, I will be a stay at home wife/mother.
This is what I hope to accomplish, Lord willing.
~Abby
ps, Welcome Wen! It's good to have you here!

 

Hi all! Well - let's get real for a moment. A woman, once married with children, should place her entire focus on raising those children (Titus 2: 4-5). It matters not one bit what your educational background is. Children abandoned to the "day care" system, or any other system that removes the direct nurturing of mother from her child, is not a wise thing (and probably feels like that to both baby and mother). What do you think the child's tears mean as "mommy" leaves for her "career" each morning?

What's that? Oh, you need the money? Perhaps Mr. Dad can try harder (1 Tim. 5:8). In the abscence of this, then why not do without the newest piece of junk that the marketers push your way. Budgets are a blessing - use them! We are talking about the GREATEST, most noble, most wonderful career of all - MOTHERHOOD. Children are a glorious blessing from the LORD (Psalm 127: 3-5). Why not focus on those blessings first and leave the cult of "career" a distant second?

latterrain77

 

Latterrain, while I appreciate your feelings, I think it is sometimes easy to forget we live in a culture now where single parenting is becoming about equal with two parent families. There are a tremendous number of families where one of the marriage partners takes off for 'personal fulfillment' or another mate or whatever, leaving the other (usually the woman) with the children and little or no income. I don't think making these women feel guilty by referring to 'abandoning' their children to the childcare system is going to help anyone.

I agree with you that parenting the children is of primary importance. But there is also what I learned to call "bottom line living" during our lean years when I was a single parent of six (hubby deserted us all for another woman after 20 years of marriage). Bottom line living for us was shelter, food, warmth, and clothes. The car was a necessity. Insurance on home and car required. Medical insurance a necessity for us with adopted special case kids. Oh yeah, and property taxes.

Our home was and is mortgage free because we built it ourselves. But there was upkeep to consider.

Here is how our basic budget worked out per month.

Food, toiletries, misc. $1000
Utilities $300
Medical insurance $350
Medical and dental costs (Rx, dental, etc.) $75
Car gas and upkeep $100
Clothing $100
Taxes and insurance broken down to per month $300
Home upkeep (various repairs, paint, plants, sprays, etc.) $100
Put aside for major purchases or emergencies $50

No frills, seven people, at least half of whom at any given time were teenagers with teen appetites. Under $2400 a month.

You want to try that without working? And we didn't have a mortgage. You will also notice that there is no church giving in that. We did our best to give when we could, though.

There are women here on BB who have disabled husbands, or husbands working for their degrees. These are not easy times we live in. I think every mother here does the best she knows how to do in whatever circumstances the Lord has allowed in her life. Most mothers who work would much rather stay at home with their children than go to work. And many of them are not working for the doo dads of the luxurious living. They are working to make bottom line expenses for their families.

For the mothers who must work, how many of those who are able to stay at home offer to help those who must work by watching their children for free? I bet no one. You COULD, though. You could help with the situation more and more women are finding themselves in these days.

Criticisms don't help at all here. Helping helps. We are the body of Christ. In our own physical bodies, when the foot is broken, doesn't the arm hold the crutch?