February 5, 2013
From Working Mom to At-Home Mom Who Works There
Dr. Laura,

I am very ashamed to say that I was the ultimate feminista. How bad was it? REALLY BAD!! Seventeen years ago my oldest daughter was born on a Thursday. My career was SOOOO important that I was back to work on Monday.

On my way home from work every day, I would listen to your show until I was home. After listening to you for almost 2 years, I went to work one day and quit my job. My poor choice of a husband and I divorced shortly thereafter, and so I started my own business from home. For the last 15 years, I have done the majority of my work during the night (your podcast keeps me company while I work) so I can be my girls' mom.

At one point when they were 7 and 4, I was offered a job out of the blue and told I could name my own salary. When I talked to my daughters about it, explaining to them that it would mean more money, but they would have to go to day care part-time, they looked at me and told me we didn't need any more money because they wanted me home. I credit you for instilling that wisdom in them.

I have tried very hard to follow your guidance. My ex-husband married someone half his age and has no contact with my girls, so I purchased the house next door to my parents, and I don't date in spite of my parents and daughters telling me I need to. Also with your help, I do a fairly decent job of being both mom and dad. Yes, I can and do give the "dad" talk to any boy who wants to take my daughter on a date - most all of them are pretty scared of me!  You have helped me to instill extremely high morals in my daughters that make me very proud.  I can say with confidence that I will not be a grandma before my time!

Thank you Dr. Laura. I have not even begun to express all of the ways that you have made me a better person.

Love and gratitude,

Cindi

P.S.  You are absolutely right - families can make it on one income. If I can do it, anyone can. We don't have a lot of money, but we get by and my daughters are better people knowing that they may not have everything they want, but they do have everything they need.

Posted by Staff at 2:57 PM