Why?

I'm sure there are people who would want to know why I chose to start this blog. I did NOT create it out of anger or animosity towards any one person or group of people. I did NOT create it in order to complain about people. I DID create it so that I could gather my thoughts about why I am a happily working mommy. And I suppose it's a bit of a defense as well.

I live in the sunny Southeast - the buckle of the Bible belt, if you will. There is a phenomenon in my community that the vast majority of mothers stay at home with their kids while Dad goes and brings home the bacon. I am not sure if this is unique to my community or the Christian community in general, but I'm tired of it. It seems that not a week goes by without someone deciding to tell me that I need to stay at home with my kids instead of sending them to daycare while I work. Why must people give their unwarranted advice? I'm tired of the raised eyebrows and the "I'm sorry"s that are the inevitable responses to my "curse" of having to work. Yes, I need to work to help support my family. But, really, I would still choose to work even if one income was sufficient.

The fact of the matter is that I'm different. I am one of maybe ten women in our church community who is a happily working mommy. And I feel completely ostracized because of my decision (and need at the current time) to work. I don't like going to church for fear that someone will decide to give me their opinion about my current life state. I don't like going because I don't feel like I have much in common with many people. I am, however, thankful for the few friends I have who are working mommies or mommies-to-be and therefore understand me.

I would really like to know if this a universal truth in my particular section of the country, or if it's just my community.

I love my boys. I love my husband. I love my job. I see no reason why all of these things can't coexist.