role models

I've recently been prompted to think about the values I would like my girls to strive for, and the ways I plan to influence and encourage them.  While I work on that post, it got me thinking about the kind of role model I want to be for my girls and some thoughts I had about this when leaving the workforce earlier this year.

I have a degree in computer science, which is traditionally male dominated (although that does seem to have shifted a fair bit since I went to school in the 90's).  Which I thought made me a good role model...you know, the girl who went against the grain and did a computer science degree, competed against guys to get my job and move ahead at work.  I thought it showed a sense of "you can do anything" to my daughters.  But then what was I saying to them when I left my career to be a stay-at-home mom?  The fact is my focus shifted significantly once I became a mother.  Over the past 10 years of being a working mom our family has grown, Jeff's job became more demanding and family life became more chaotic.  The pendulum of my priorities shifted significantly from work to family.  Leaving work to maintain some sort of sanity in our family life was definately the right choice for me (not to mention maintaining my own personal sanity!).  But I did struggle with being just a stay at home mom as a role model for my kids.  I finally decided that having a sane mom trumps everything.

Now that it's been 7 months of being at home full time (wowsers - 7 months already?) I have a different perspective.  I see the difference in myself and how I'm interacting with my kids at the end of the school day and on weekends now that I don't have the additional stress of work.  I'm also able to see the good parts of what I'm showing my daughters.  I see myself as someone who is able to focus on what's important to me...first it was school, then career, now family.  I hope when they grow up that's what they are able to take away from my choices.

By the way, the reason I'm thinking about all of this is because of a really cool campaign, you should check it out!  www.bethevoice.ca

Disclosure– I am participating in the Barbie I Can Be campaign by Mom Central Canada onbehalf of Mattel Canada.  I received compensation as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are my own.