How many times have you been asked, “What do you do?”

Only to respond with, “I am just a Mom.”

Just a Mom! This has got to stop!

We should not feel embarrassed or ashamed by being a mom. There is no need to put the word just in front of the word mom. Do you ever hear, “I am just a lawyer, I am just a doctor, I am just a banker?”

NO!

In the mid 1980’s we had huge influx on moms headed off into the workforce, mostly part time but some fulltime as well.  This was the beginnings of two income households. As we moved into the 1990’s even more moms went to work leaving very few to be stay at home moms. A recent survey by Pew Research, states that 7 out of every 10 moms work, which was a 47% increase from 1975. Mothers are also becoming the breadwinners in their households this survey states that 4 out of 10 women are bringing in a higher income than men.

So why the need to say “Just a mom?”

I am not sure I can answer that question because every mom may have a different answer, but I can tell you why I have said it.

I have said it because I was embarrassed, this was even hard to type out. I consider myself a very bold, strong woman but in a society that seems to value woman rising up and taking the place as the breadwinners of their families I felt like I was not doing my part, not working outside of the home and bringing in an income. Or more so, that society felt I was not doing my part. So, I would say “I am just a mom.”

We need to stop this phrase, this is negative talk.

Don’t say it!

Don’t hear it!

Don’t think it!

You are a mom, and that needs no other justification. Whether you chose to work or stay at home, YOU are a mom, YOU are important, and YOU are strong, You are amazing!

Photo description – I pulled this photo from my camera roll that was taken in the summer of 2018. I am not sure who took it, I am usually the one who takes photos. I could not help but notice the genuine smile on my face as we laughed on this summer day. I also did not realize how much weight I have lost since last year until I saw this picture. Progress not perfection!