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Lately I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself. There are so many things I want to accomplish on a personal level but never have the time for. If only I had more time. Or, maybe if I just had a better support system.
I’ve read about women who graduated from college while holding a full time job. I’ve spoken with mom’s that take care of their kids, attend PTA meetings and somehow cranked out that Great American Novel. And in every case they had a support system. In some cases it was their husband, their mom, or even a group of friends.
I strongly believe that having a support system can prevent women from feeling that they can’t have it all. The career, marriage, kids, and their sanity. A support system makes a huge difference in how much further women can go. I’m sure that there are extremely successful women who did it all on their own. But was it by choice?
Women are capable of so many things and a lot of times we suppress our dreams and aspirations out of guilt. It pains me to see a young mom working at McDonald’s when deep down inside I know she would rather be at college. Sometimes I wonder if the elderly lady working at Walmart might be enjoying retirement in her Golden Years if only she had a support system.
I think that women with or without kids should rally around each other and say, “I got your back.” So…if you have kids do you have a support system? For those who don’t have kids, would you have them if you knew you would have a support system? Anyone out there make it on their own without a support system?
Comments
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Gurlfriend, you have hit the nail on the head! If we had support systems, do you think there'd be the gang activity we currently must endure? It's interesting that our fore mothers had that very system you're talking about. Nowadays I believe they call it 'the village'. Village smillage. It takes more than one to raise a child. Even if you're Wonder Woman.
So, what happened to that way of life from our past? There are too many options and opinions to discuss here but I think it's very telling when a younger person tells me "I don't want to ask for help." My tactless response is always "well why the hail not?"
Soo. To those that this situation may apply: Never be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes the least amount rewards the most benefit.
Take care and be well
s
Support System
So true...it does take a village to raise a child (in my case it would take 4 villages LOL). But how about women who wants kids but decides not to because they fear having to give up their career or lifestyle. It shouldn't have to be that way. Women are capable of wearing so many different hats and we should all feel loved and encouraged to at least try them all on.
I'll even take it to a whole other level, what if you don't like kids, never want to get married and just want to focus on yourself. That requires your family or friends to understand you and support you even more. The type of support that doesn't ridicule your decision.
"Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman." - Coco Chanel
Very thought-provoking for me
I have to wonder if I ever took full advantage of my support system. I was always so worried about looking like one of the dozens (or more) of young mothers who pushed their child off on well-meaning friends and relatives so that they (the young moms) could still pursue their lives.
My mother and brother and SIL helped me a great deal when my son was 8ish and I worked a full-time job during the week and an overnight job on Fridays and Saturdays, but I couldn't keep that pace long.
Otherwise I rarely called and asked for babysitters, choosing instead to either involve my son in what I wanted to do or opting out of doing it.
~feathermaye
"So shines a good deed in a weary world" ~William Shakespeare
If you enjoy my movie musings, be sure to check out my husband's at: http://www.helium.com/user/show/171209
Support System
I'm still in that stage with my kids where they need babysitters. My support system is extremely wishy washy. If it's an emergency, I'm covered but anything further than that I'm pretty much on my own. This is not a complaint but more of a reflection on how important of a role a support system plays in women's lives. But...What does not kill me, makes me stronger
"Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman." - Coco Chanel
"...makes us stronger."
I absolutely agree.
I would also like to think that by example we are demonstrating self-sufficiency. Reliance on ourselves before we turn to anyone else.
~feathermaye
"So shines a good deed in a weary world" ~William Shakespeare
If you enjoy my movie musings, be sure to check out my husband's at: http://www.helium.com/user/show/171209
Self-sufficiency
Absolutely...A support system is to help you be a better version of ourselves. The responsibilty is still ours.
"Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman." - Coco Chanel
Family & Friends
I was blessed to have a father who supported dreams and imagination. He encouraged having dreams, travel and especially trying new things. Education has always been an important thing to him and so I've always felt obligated to be
good student, and even now I am constantly trying to find new ways to create, rethink and develop myself professionally.
I have some good friends as well. There are a couple newer people in my life (who have known me about 5 years) and then there are people in my life who've known me since I was 11 years old who know me, who were with me through what seems like a different life and all of whom are still very much involved with what is happening with me.
I do have several friends who express dissatisfaction with their lives and I always say, if you don't like something in your life, Change it. Make the steps toward the change and although it may not lead you exactly where you were going, it may take you somewhere you had not thought of.
It is important to have family and friends, who, even if they don't necessarily approve of the path you are taking, that they can support your dreams even if it isn't their cup of tea.
Keep reaching for the stars...greatness is within you, but you have to believe in yourself and reach inside first.
xoxo Anj.
Support System
Its very important to have support systems. Both on the giving and receiving end. I was very fortunate to have a good support system through out my life, not only when I became a mother. I continue to have one and also am there for many of my friends and family. I lost my father at a very young age and my mother is also deceased. I am soon to be 47 YO. So I have had to reach out to others and trust and be afraid to receive, and it has given me a real sense of what it is like to have those truly good friends and understand the honesty and commitment to a friendship, again, both in giving and receiving.
We all need support of different kinds at different times of our lives, and it should not be viewed as something we should be afraid to ask for.
K
Support System
I agree...a support system ahould go both ways.
"Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman." - Coco Chanel