What Are You Going to Do With Yourself Now?

When kids go to school, people always say to moms, “What are you going to do with yourself now?” Its a joke, but you know how they say jokes are always partially based in truth…

Might as well say, “Well, there goes your purpose. I can’t imagine you have interests or duties or work beyond those kids.”

Or “Now the house can be immaculate because what could a woman without children possibly do with herself besides clean all day?”

Let’s wreck the myth that women are primarily defined by motherhood and housekeeping. Being a mom is awesome and life changing, but just one part of life for *some* women.

1. Let’s challenge the idea that kids are all encompassing for women until they move away and she has to fill the emptiness. (That’s not romantic. It’s terrifying).

Let’s challenge the idea that a great mom can’t have interests and hobbies and passions beyond her family. Or that she might even make choices that divide her time and energy and *still* be an excellent parent.

Let’s challenge the idea that women who have immaculate homes or home school or stay at home don’t or can’t have these things too.

Let’s challenge the idea of an ideal woman/mother that no woman can or should live up to.

Next time a woman sends her kids off to school, just imagine her continuing on with an interesting, engaging life. Maybe then she’ll be more likely to envision that for herself as well.