If you’ve ever told someone you are a stay-at-home mom, then you’ve probably been on the receiving end of a particular comment. I know you’ve heard it many times if you’ve had to fess-up to being a homeschool mom.
“I could never do that!”
Is that a compliment or an insult?
The person seems to imply that I am some sort of superhuman mom, “Wondermom,” that I would choose to willingly stay home and homeschool my kids. Or are they implying that I’m crazy and they don’t think mine is a job worth doing?
I’m not ever sure how to reply when I receive that comment. I wonder what would happen if I turned the tables on them and replied in the same way: “I could never do that. You mean you go to work or you put your kids in daycare or you take your kids to school every morning? No, I could never do that.”
I imagine they would be beyond offended. Why don’t they think that I might feel the same way when I’m on the receiving end?
The life they’ve chosen-I could never do that. The life I’ve chosen-they could never do that. Does it really matter? Can’t we agree to disagree? I’m not asking them to walk in my shoes and I sure don’t want to spend a day in theirs.
I’m not supermom and I don’t think I’m crazy either. I don’t need the commentary. I love what I do and even though there are days that I think, “I can never do this,” I know I have a God who gives me the grace to fulfill my calling.
So, I can do this and I choose to do it daily, that doesn’t make me supermom. Even though I made my choice doesn’t mean I always enjoy it, but I do try to cherish the moments. I know there are some who think they couldn’t do it or maybe could never be persuaded to even try, but it is my job and I think I’d prefer to do it without any comments.