Not Just A Mom

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Yes, it is always a tug-of-war with a career versus motherhood... I think every woman who has ever done it would agree with that.

Unfortunately, many women find they have no choice but to work, and juggle the two. It makes for a LOT of stress in a woman's heart, I think. Well, I know it did for me.

I read an article, years ago, stating (citing a study) that women live longer if they don't have to work outside the home as long as men do, i.e., until retirement.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

LOL! Put that Espresso down - or have you been drinking coffee since NOON?

aha! hah hah! lol!

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I read an article, years ago, stating (citing a study) that women live longer if they don't have to work outside the home as long as men do, i.e., until retirement.

I believe that!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

aha! hah hah! lol!

Note: this is not Bratti's condescending coffee cup.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I believe that!

I do too. I know I was stressed out. Mainly, because my strength was cold calling. I do much better talking face to face then on the phone. I want to look at someone's face when I am trying to make them buy something from me.

[Sasha]

My mom and I never got along most of our lives. She was divorced from my dad, who never wanted anything to do with my brother and I, when we were very young, and she had to work to make ends meet. This meant she left us with people who abused us, mainly me, and she was someone who never believed children because they always lied. I never had protection from my abusers, and my mom was abusive as well. I grew up hateful and bitter and it carried into my young adulthood. My mom thought I would end up in prison, and that's no exaggeration.

I didn't raise my children the way I was raised. I made sure I hugged them, told them I loved them, and protected them at all costs. I was even told by a pastor once that I was overprotective and he saw that in me from the first time he met me. I have always been there for my children. They are my life.

Oddly enough, my mom has changed. Her grandchildren mean the world to her. She always let them get away with everything. She thinks they walk on water and even admitted to me that I did well in raising them, even though at first she thought I should beat them for every little thing. They have never seen her as I saw her growing up. They are adults now and I tell them stories of my life with her and it shocks them that she was ever that way.

Being a single mother most of my childrens lives, I had to work. But even then, I was very involved with my children, attending ball games and being involved in scouts and camping. Even when going to school full time and working as they got older, I knew what they were doing. Sneaking around was something they just didn't do. I would leave work to check on them and NEVER found them doing something they weren't to be doing. They knew I had to trust them.

My mom cursed me with having children just half as bad as I was. My kids didn't even come close. Thank God!

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I do too. I know I was stressed out. Mainly, because my strength was cold calling. I do much better talking face to face then on the phone. I want to look at someone's face when I am trying to make them buy something from me.

ABC = Always be closing!

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Sasha

My mom and I never got along most of our lives. She was divorced from my dad, who never wanted anything to do with my brother and I, when we were very young, and she had to work to make ends meet. This meant she left us with people who abused us, mainly me, and she was someone who never believed children because they always lied. I never had protection from my abusers, and my mom was abusive as well. I grew up hateful and bitter and it carried into my young adulthood. My mom thought I would end up in prison, and that's no exaggeration.

I didn't raise my children the way I was raised. I made sure I hugged them, told them I loved them, and protected them at all costs. I was even told by a pastor once that I was overprotective and he saw that in me from the first time he met me. I have always been there for my children. They are my life.

Oddly enough, my mom has changed. Her grandchildren mean the world to her. She always let them get away with everything. She thinks they walk on water and even admitted to me that I did well in raising them, even though at first she thought I should beat them for every little thing. They have never seen her as I saw her growing up. They are adults now and I tell them stories of my life with her and it shocks them that she was ever that way.

Being a single mother most of my childrens lives, I had to work. But even then, I was very involved with my children, attending ball games and being involved in scouts and camping. Even when going to school full time and working as they got older, I knew what they were doing. Sneaking around was something they just didn't do. I would leave work to check on them and NEVER found them doing something they weren't to be doing. They knew I had to trust them.

My mom cursed me with having children just half as bad as I was. My kids didn't even come close. Thank God!

Thank you for sharing your story. I can feel your heartbreak, and yet, through the tears, it is wonderful to hear the victory undertones! Praise God for keeping you, and keeping your children! And I'm glad your relationship with your mother has healed. Many times that can take place, as people from that generation kind of mellow out as they get older. It happened in with my husband's dad as well. Very abusive and difficult relationship growing up, but now, things are much better.

Would you say that being a mother was the most fulfilling thing you've done as a woman? Just curious.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Note: this is not Bratti's condescending coffee cup.

I'm drinking tea, not coffee.... green tea that is supposed to be GOOD for you ... One can only hope!

[Sasha]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Thank you for sharing your story. I can feel your heartbreak, and yet, through the tears, it is wonderful to hear the victory undertones! Praise God for keeping you, and keeping your children! And I'm glad your relationship with your mother has healed. Many times that can take place, as people from that generation kind of mellow out as they get older. It happened in with my husband's dad as well. Very abusive and difficult relationship growing up, but now, things are much better.

Would you say that being a mother was the most fulfilling thing you've done as a woman? Just curious.

My mom was in denial of her abuse and acceptance of abuse for many years. It was only about ten years ago that she said God showed her in a vision during a weekend prayer session at her church what we suffered all those years and she asked my forgiveness. It took me just over six months to not only forgive her, but let her know what she was being forgiven for. Most of that 7 page email she didn't even know about. I'd never told her. It was a weight lifted off me that had oppressed me for several years and inhibited my walk with God.

I'm not sure I would say being a mother was the most fulfilling thing. In a lot of ways, I have missed out on things with my children due to being a single parent. I would have loved to have done more with them, but I get to do that with my younger children still at home now that I'm married.

I have accomplished my dream of completing the schooling and licensing for my career and have worked as such for many years now. Doing that while being a single mother probably ranks up there with being a mother alone.