Empowering Motherhood is the start of an organisation Modern Mothers at Home (with only one member at present), my passion and a blog with 2 main aims;
1. Empowering Motherhood from Within – Modern Mothers at Home
To support, affirm and encourage women whos main role is raising their children to have an empowering motherhood journey.
Otherwise known as at home mothers/mums, fulltime mums/mothers or alltime mothers (a term I’ve come up with which I think is more accurate), or SAHM (stay at home mothers/mums) is a trendy acronym you may hear. I haven’t really found a term that I like, but what ever you call your role we are united in the belief that at this point in our lives the most important thing we can be doing with our time is raising our children.
You have each made this decision, and yes it is a decision because there are many different things you could be doing with your time, yet you stay at home because you see the value this brings to your children, your family, your community, our future and the value this brings to your own life. I congratulate you on making this difficult yet often unquestionable choice.
We are each doing challenging, tiring, special, loving work, day by day often in isolation in our own homes. Lets come together to celebrate and acknowledge the work we do and find ways of being an empowered mother who finds fulfillment, satisfaction and confidence in her role.
The 4 main ways I hope to do this are –
1. This blog as a way of connection and information sharing
2&3 Modern Mothers at Home offering short courses “Welcome Home” on making the transition from career to childrearing, or those struggling with the reality of fulltime motherhood, and “Rocking It” a facilitated discussion & support group (were in Hamilton, will be in Hawkes Bay soon).
4. Modern Mothers at Home online community via Mumsontop.co.nz – This is a discussion group and online community for Mums. Search for the group, have a look and please become a member if it looks like something you would like to be part of (request is to ensure only genuine mothers join).
2. The second objective, though longer term is empowering motherhood as a whole. According to Ann Crittenden in The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job Is the Least Valued winning respect for motherhood is one of the final frontiers in women’s fight for equality.
In New Zealand as much as there appears to be a focus on family and children this is a bit token as the pressure to return to paid employment is great from both friends and family and the Government.
The real value placed on the role of being a mother becomes very obvious when the conversations ceases after advising someone that your main job is raising your children or when the Government provides no benefits to being an at home mother. I believe I could get more credibility and Government support if I placed my children in care and cared for other peoples children.
This blog is not politically oriented, however my passion for at home motherhood has lead to an awareness of the big picture of motherhood and the societal influence on the value and role of mothering. I am at the beginning of this part of my motherhood journey and certainly do not claim to have expertise other than my own experience and readings.
I would love to hear from any women or groups who link in with my aims. Please email me through the contact page.
Kia Kaha
Louise