Occupation

For the past couple of months Gracie has been asking to start a ballet class. I told her after the holidays when things slow down a bit we'd find a class for her. I researched a little bit and found a studio that I think will be a good fit for her. Last week she went and did a placement class. She hasn't had dance lessons since she was 3 or maybe 4 years old, but the ballet mistress (that's what she called herself) was really impressed with Gracie. She said she did very well for her first class, that she will catch up quickly, and that she has the perfect physique to be a ballerina. :) Gracie loved it! We decided to register. When I was filling out the registration form it asked for the occupation of both the mother and father. I haven't filled out a form that asks for my occupation for a while and I hesitated a minute. What is my occupation? I ended up filling in homemaker. I don't really like that title though. I don't like how filling it in makes me feel like I don't have a job. I don't like how I feel that the world doesn't value what I'm doing. But, the form made me think. What do I want my occupation to be? How do I feel about being a homemaker or stay at home mom?

In December I finished my last class at University of Phoenix to earn my Bachelor's degree. I have one test to take to earn my math credits and I will officially have a college edumacation.  Am I going to use this degree? Do I want to get my master's degree? I'm not really sure yet. For now, I am going to continue to focus on my current occupation. I going to make a comfortable, warm, safe home for my family. I am going to hug my kiddos every single day and let them know how important they are. I am going to teach them math, reading, writing, history, science, and art. I am going to read the scriptures with them and pray with them and for them. I am going to remind them of our Heavenly Father's plan. Homemaker, stay at home mom, it doesn't matter what you call it, it doesn't matter that there is no pay check, I believe with all of my heart that it is the most important job that I will ever do. I believe that the rewards are the greatest that I can ever earn.

I want my little girls to know that being a homemaker is a respectable occupation. That it is a great thing to aspire to. I will probably get my master's degree within the next couple of years. I do have ambitions to work outside of my home someday. It won't happen however, until I know that I have given everything to my children that they need. I'm thankful for my hubby's support and encouragement for me to be home with our children.

Really, when I think about it, I am proud to fill in the blank after occupation with homemaker. It's a dying breed.