Independent Woman

I grew up in America in the 80s and 90s which means, even though things were MUCH better than in previous generations, as a female I learned it best to be small, both literally and figuratively. Boys were bigger and stronger and took care of certain things.

Now that I'm married and have my own family and home, I find certain stereotypes playing out without my even noticing. I have sexist reflexes, I suppose. I automatically rely on Hubs for house things. For example, if I see a spider I scream, "Hubs! Get this spider!" The other morning the dishwasher was acting funky and I asked Hubs to take a look at it. Then I thought, wait, I'll take a look at it. I'm a grown-ass woman. On a recent evening instead of instinctively asking Hubs to take in the outside couch cushions before it rained, I caught myself. I slipped on my Birkenstocks and out the back door. I brought in those big cushions.

Hubs does a lot. I do, too. And I need to be conscious of modeling a pattern of me depending on my man for certain things. Our kids are watching. Lately Liv has been making acrostic poems and she wrote "independent" for I. And on her "all about me" poster for school she described herself as independent. I want to continue to foster that sense of autonomy in my girls, show them that women can do anything, every minute example at a time. I can handle spiders, dishwashers, cushions and so much more. Let's just hope I don't see a mouse.

AES