The American Dream

[pen_grunt]

There are some days when I wish that my job could be just staying at home and reading books.

I recognize that this is not a realistic goal. 1. My boss wouldn't be so hip to it. 2. I recognize the value of earning an income. 3. Eventually I'd probably get bored (in theory...I mean, I'd think that I would...but I can't really see it happening).

Then I try to think: if I could do anything with my life--that makes me money--what would it be? Reading books is fine and dandy, but the potential for making money just reading is minimal--I would have to do some sort of review or editing work.

And my brain is just fried right now, so that seems overwhelming.

I know this will set womankind back about 100 years, but there are definitely days where I wish that all I could be expected to do would be to: get the house cleaned, wear a pretty house dress, make sure my husband's slippers were in their place at 5:30, get supper on the table, and maybe raise a few babies...possibly barefoot.

Is that so bad? Yeah, that's bad. Back to my job.

Comments

[lisa-e-is-me.livejournal.com]

Nah, I don't think that's bad at all. I have those thoughts pretty often myself, only without the babies. Like you, I don't think I could stand being unemployed for good, but I would sure love to give it a try for a while. And if we were in a financial position where I didn't HAVE to work, I could always volunteer part-time somewhere, which would solve the boredom problem, but still allow me enough time at home to keep the house sparkling clean and have a delicious, well balanced dinner prepared every night before 8:30 p.m.. It's definitely a dream of mine. The impossible dream.

[pen-grunt.livejournal.com]

The not HAVING to work part is key...

I think if I didn't HAVE to work I would be able to do a lot more things that I love...go back to school and take classes for fun, volunteer at the nursing home, hospital work, etc.

Stuff that I just feel I need to DO, but don't have the free time because this whole must-make-enough-money-to-eat thing keeps getting in the way :)

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has these thoughts every now and then. But I feel like they're "bad" and that because I'm not required to be in a house dress in front of the stove, it's sacrilege to say that I wouldn't mind doing that every now and then.

[liquid-siftings.livejournal.com]

...but Tamara and I were hoping we could be the stay at home parents and you would support us.

No?

[pen-grunt.livejournal.com]

Hmm...on the negative side--I wouldn't be able to be home.

On the positive side, I'm sure you could arrange for a hot bath and a cold drink when I got home from work :)

[liquid-siftings.livejournal.com]

oh yes. Cold drinks of your choice, hot baths, massages, foot rubs, a clean house... We'd even take care of picking up your dry cleaning!