Chris' Story
Briefly, we did not have (adopt) our first child until we were 38 (despite my declarations that I would NOT be 38 and having my first child!), so I spent a number of years in the work world before having children. I was certain I wanted a parent at home with our kids full-time and I was happy to have that parent be me. Despite taking on the role of SAHM whole-heartedly, it's certainly not easy and there have been days when I dream about what all those working women are doing--feeling confident about their work, getting a paycheck as validation of their work, and having adults to talk to all day!
In terms of home schooling, I never dreamed I would home school my children. In fact, if you had told me I would do that, I would have assured you that you were a complete lunatic. And then my first child went to kindergarten and my entire view of school and home schooling was turned on it's head. We did not immediately come to Waldorf and I have to admit that early on, I was very poorly educated about Waldorf and just thought it was a bunch of fringe people that refused to have TVs. Although media has never been huge in our home, I just didn't get it. What I've found out is that it takes a while to "get" Waldorf. But, boy, do I get it now and do I love it. So I have a story to share about an evolution in my views and approach to education.
One of the reasons I think the Madonna Cloak Project is so important is that in this culture, we largely parent in isolation. Without extended family living with us or near us and with spouses largely working away from the home, it is often mom and kids alone together when the going gets rough. I know that most of us think we're the only ones that lose our temper, shout at our kids, or act in ways in moments of frustration and desperation that we are not proud of. I would love to see this be a community where SAHMs can share their truths about the joys and dark days of parenting and everything in between; a place where women can feel less lonely and isolated; where they can get support for the the vast feelings that parenting can bring to us.
Chris Chandler