Who knows their value? Am I worth it? Do I deserve it enough? Have I proven my value to those around me? Why do I feel the need to?
I had a conversation with a friend the other day about worth. She owns a business, and is damn good at what she does. Like all small business owners, she sets her prices.. And, we either choose to pay it or we don't. And, like any small business she finds herself having to raise her prices. The ability to set a value on ourselves is not something most of us have. I'm old as dirt as still trying to figure it all out. If someone handed me a piece of paper and asked me to put a monetary value on myself could I do it? Probably, but then again I have a very overinflated image of myself. ha ha!
In all seriousness, sometimes it bothers me that we question our value based on what others think. In terms of money, OK, we all do it. Just look at the Dyson vacuum craze. Really, $500 for something that was designed to pick up your dirt? But, we launched Mr. Dyson into billionairhood. Taking comfort in the knowledge that someday his kids will be on a reality show for all the world to enjoy.
As I raise my kids I find myself questioning decisions. Piper had a Dr. appointment today, and the doctor explained that she might start to get picky about what she eats. She suggested I offer her a buffet of foods and allow her to choose what she wants to eat. Um, how about NO! I will prepare food, offer it to my kids and they have 2 choices.. Eat or be hungry. Nothing against those of you who have a 24 hour restaurant running in your kitchen, but I sure don't. I knew the logical answer in my head as soon as I heard the Dr. but, there I sat questioning my parenthood. She also recommended we take the binky away.. All I heard was blah, blah, blah.. That is so not a battle I am willing to fight right now. I value the binky way to much!
Staying home with my kids. Is there value there? Sure there is, in many ways. Knowing my kids have someone at home for them has HUGE value to me. You would have to ask the kids if they agree. Along with the added bonus of me not out driving around Japan. Trust me there is value there! But, I don't get paid for my work. There is no pay stub, the IRS isn't banging down my door to collect at the end of the month. Yet everyday I see the value.
I liken it to a horrid panting that someone pays big bucks for. They see value in there somewhere. Or are in need of glasses. Either way, it all comes back to what we value.
And, why do we place value on certain things, and none on others? Maybe because to really value things we think we gain nothing from, we would first have to devalue the things we do...
- And, where is the fun in that?
OK, I'm off to check out vacuum's.. I hear Dyson has a good one :)
4 comments:
What a great post : ) You know what is funny? I have a friend that is the EXACT opposite from you. She would NEVER allow her baby to keep the pacifier after like 3 months. And she thinks it is insane to just give a toddler one choice for lunch. I think it is beautiful that we can all parent whatever way we think is the best.
Let me just tell you Sabrina, I am definitely enjoying your blog posts! :)
Anyway, I am right there with you on the whole "buffet" thing. My mom is from the Philippines and my dad from the good old U.S. of A. Growing up, my mom usually made two different meals for dinner. She loved her rice (typical Filipino) but my dad loved his steak, or any other traditional American meal. Being the devoted stay at home mom/wife, she made sure he was happy. I got to choose from one, the other or both. Now, I can assure you, my kids do NOT get that luxury. If they don't like what we're eating, they will go hungry. Sorry kids... when you're old enough to cook for yourselves, have at it. Right now, if I'm in the kitchen making dinner for an hour or so, you're going to eat it! Haha. The only time the girls get to eat something other than what we're eating is if it's something that may be too spicy for them. But with that being said, there's no one right way to parent. There is no such thing as the perfect parent... We all just go along for the ride and do what we can.
And on the topic of being a stay at home mom/wife, there's so much value in that. I didn't get to stay home for the first two years of Reilley's life and going through it with Samaira, I feel like I missed out on a lot. I see or experience things with Samaira I don't remember seeing or experiencing with Reilley, and it makes me sad. And with her being in school now, nothing makes me happier than to have the opportunity to go on field trips with her, eat lunch with her or make crafts with her. Being a stay at home parent is by far one of the hardest and most under appreciated jobs out there but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Yeah, doctors know EVERYTHING, don't they? Along with grandparents (if you pick her up every time she cried she will NEVER DEVELOP ANY INDEPENDENCE)
Yep. Do what works for you and your family. If they're happy and healthy and you are, too? You're doing it right.
I haven't seen any elementary age kids with a pacifier. Ever.
So I guess you won't need to lose any sleep over that issue, either.
((hugs))
Moms have so much intricate value that has long since been taken for granted. Do whatever your family needs. That's what's best.
I love your new assertive blogging style. You go, Girl!
Post a Comment