The Role of Traditional Wife and Mother
Will now be played by me. This is quite a departure. What I mean by that is that I have been balancing my domestic duties with entrepreneurship for all 16 years of my marriage. Both our children and enterprises have grown in number.
Business enterprises have a way of overtaking all else, and one must be very careful. And often times, despite great care, it can overwhelm. The key is to delegate what you can, and get rid of anything else that hinders the primary vocation. We had one particular venture that was threatening to swallow me whole - and had no possibility of integrating with the raising of my children. That is, I could not make any part of it an education for the children - not without a monumental effort. So I laid my burden before God and my darling husband. I have been excused of any duties pertaining to that venture, and have been made free to pursue with complete dedication, my vocation as mother and wife.
We found that many of the “little things” were being neglected. You know, small, insignificant things like regular, home-cooked meals, mama-made clothes, orderliness, sink-your-teeth-in reading and nature walks, cuddle time among others. Things that are so very important to me. Things that are essential for the children to have. Things, it turns out, that are also very neccessary to Brian.
Having a settled, traditional home is of prime importance to him. It gives him a firm foundation, an emotional place to come for rest and rejuvenation. If Papa has a place to rest his heart and mind, he is calm and capable. He can meet his fatherly obligations with renewed energy and focus.
Yes, I know. You knew that already. So did I, but theory and practice are two different things. My challenge is to keep outside distrations in their proper perspective, to stop worrying about not contributing enough to help my husband (who has been blessed by God with amazing talents, stamina, and opportunities). My primary function is lover of my children’s hearts and nuturer of their souls and minds.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:57 am
How liberating Nissa! That is wonderful news!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Nissa,
Good for you! At the risk of sounding condescending, I’m proud of you. I know how hard this can be. I know the draw those other “good” things have … and I know you will be blessed for taking a step back and putting things in their proper places.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Hi Nissa,
You inspire me, as always. I’ve been reading _Child Guidance_ by Ellen White recently. Her messages resonate so much with your sentiments here. There will always be jobs to do, there will always be distractions from the world. But our children will never be this way again. And our homes can slip away from us if we do not tend to them.
I have kept you and your family in prayer, especially Papa Gadbois and his eyes, and I want you to know how much your home business - this very blog in fact! - has been blessing my family!
August 1st, 2007 at 11:04 pm
As hard as it seems to sound, you also sound very relieved! Good for you.
Ebeth
Climbing for my vocation as a Mom and loving wife!