This book just arrived in the mail. Within minutes of breaking it open, sitting on the front steps surrounded by snack remnants, skateboard gear, jackets, helmets and the rest of the unloadings from the Chariot, I started reading. Meanwhile Saschy and Elliott starting setting up a ramp along the strip of pavement in the yard to do more stunts. I kept reading and could barely pull my eyes off the page with each "watch me!".
Thank you Shannon Hayes. What an inspiring book. Though I am only a few pages into it, I can already feel my pulse grow stronger with resolve for what we are doing here.
When we gave up the second income in favour of me being with our kids full time, we knew it wouldn't be easy. If you are doing this then you know. Our whole culture (world?) is based on assumptions that are worth questioning: consumerism, competition, economic "growth", domination. Staying home is stepping out of the rat race and making a different choice.
I find that surrounding myself with inspiration about these choices is helpful. I want to question everything. I don't trust my own mind often because of how it was conditioned, what I say and how I think is based on what? Is it even true?
Well, this book is one more boost for me. I think that as I read I will be learning loads. I'm so glad for this. I'll keep you posted. If you have read it or do read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
ok, after hearing this book (and the lingo "radical homemaker") mentioned several times in the last month or so i finally ordered. it arrived yesterday and i started reading. loving it. thanks for the tip!
Posted by: robin (woowoomama) | June 10, 2010 at 04:42 AM
Oooh, I'm gonna have to get this book. It is so hard to go against the grain and feel proud of the choice we make to stay home. It is not inferior and we need to not allow ourselves to be made to feel that we are or it is. I never thought I would choose this path but now I can not think of it any other way...I'll make the sacrifices needed so I can be home. It's where my heart it. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: nichole | April 01, 2010 at 09:22 PM
oooh, thank you for the tip on this book! You know what I did approximately 1 minute after reading your post? I ordered the book! And I don't normally shop without really considering it first. I just had the feeling this is the book I need. It sent a shiver down my spine. I would love to discuss the book after it's here.
I live in a country with a proud feminist past. I grew up learning that women today are free to work where ever they choose thanks to our foremothers who fought for that right. Well, that choice never included home and children as a career. That's what we were liberated from after all. I want to see staying home with my kids as a feminist act. I want to see the apron as a powerful symbol of freedom, not of oppression!
Posted by: Kassia | March 25, 2010 at 11:50 PM