I get it

I finally get it - when I was a work-at-home mom, I must admit I felt somewhat self-righteous about being home with the kids - I now realize that I was trying to act out some martyr archetype because I wasn't really happy with my role after about 6 months and the haze of giving birth wore off, yet I felt like I "had" to do it somehow. As I reflect back on this academic year, I finally get why women, at least those who even have the choice of going back to work, do it - I get it less on a theoretical level and finally in a heart-centered way. I feel so fulfilled stimulating myself with work that I love, really.

I'm able to take a book about an FMLN guerilla and her struggles while being imprisoned - and relate it to my own life - or my moral leadership class - what a gift!

I'm able (last night) to hang out with my classmates at a hip bar where we ate, drank and reminisced before hearing other classmates "try out" for speaking at graduation, but it was less competititve and more embracing of each other. I was also able to catch up on the day's activities/protests for disability rights.

I'm able to teach students my theories about filmmaking, media inequality and social movements.

No, being home with my kids and these types of intellectually and meaningful activities are not mutually exclusive, but I now get why it is important for ME and my sanity to find a way to maintain this part of my life.

Unfortunately, in the process, I think I gained the freshman 15.