When Mommies Have to Work

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

25 Oct 2007 05:40 PM

As women of the Church, we have been counseled to stay at home and raise our children rather than entering the work force. We are to be the guardians of the home, to keep it safe from outside influences, and to create a haven for our family members. However, there are now many women who find themselves having to work outside the home. They become divorced or widowed, their husbands have been injured, or their financial situation is such that two incomes are needed.

When the lesson "The Women of the Church" was taught in Relief Society last week, one sister raised her hand and commented that she is a working mother and feels that the charge to safeguard the home doesn't apply to her, as she cannot be in the home all the time. The teacher kindly pointed out that the charge applies to all women, whether or not they are physically in the home all day. I'd like to address this in a little more detail.

I have such respect for you ladies who manage to get the kids out the door on time, arrive at the office and put in a whole days' work, then return home and resume your motherhood responsibilities. Yours is truly a double burden. If you find yourself without a husband during this time, then you shoulder an even heavier load. I am constantly amazed at all you manage to get done. There are days when it takes me until noon to get all four children dressed and fed - I would never be able to do everything you do.

Regardless of your current employment status, you are still a vital force for good in your home. You set the tone. You provide the comfort. You provide the backbone. You instill positive morals in your children and encourage them to live up to that which they know is right. You do not abdicate your motherhood throne when you head off to work. All the blessings that fall on the heads of mothers are still yours, and so are the responsibilities.

The mother's role is to nourish those in her care, spiritually and physically. She provides gospel teaching, she teaches her children proper skills and then encourages them to become more independent and self-sufficient, and, most importantly, she bears her testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savoir. It does not matter whether she is employed or not - these charges are incumbent upon the mother. True, these are yet even more responsibilities to add to your already busy day, but you will be blessed for carrying them out and the rewards will be so worth it.

So please don't let the fact that you must work outside the home make you feel like any less of a mother. You are a mother with many hats, but a mother nonetheless, and your children will rise up and call you blessed.

Related Blogs:

In the Arms of His Love

The Blessings of Relief Society

What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immoveable

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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