Do you surround yourself with positive role models? That may seem like an odd question but it is something I have really been thinking about the past few days. Having a role model in our life is very important, and having a good role model is more important, as they influence what we do and how we turn out eventually.
I headed to that there London last weekend for a blogging conference and I had brunch with some of my favourite bloggers courtesy of MarkWarner Holidays. It was great to catch up with ‘old friends’ and make some new ones and I left brunch feeling inspired. One of the best things about heading to any conference is having time to chat with other bloggers that inspire and motivate me.
One of the things that has concerned me since leaving teaching is whether I am still inspiring and motivating my children and especially the girls. Whilst I am now not viewed as a working mum (because my office is in my study as opposed to somewhere I drive to) I feel that my role has changed and how I am viewed.
I would class myself as a feminist because I want to empower women and specifically girls. I want girls to raise their expectations, to close down the gender pay gap that still exists, to enter the STEM subjects as career choices and yet I let a man (albeit a good one) pay for me. I am not financially independent but I am in an equal relationship. I choose to stay at home right now as it suits our little family.
My children benefit from me being at home. This year has been more successful than I could ever have imagined for Erin but that is because I am at home and no more childcare is needed which would exhaust her. Likewise, Chloe and Dylan have had great years at schools and they are both at key points in their education, Chloe in the first year of GCSE’s and Dylan the last year of primary school.
So am I less of a role model now that I am at home or am I just showing that I have strength because I will stay at home when it matters?? This question has been in my mind and when I chatted with the very lovely Katrina from cool bananas blog I really valued our conversation on empowering women – it was a full on conversation for a midday brunch whilst supping gin cocktails, but that is why I love blogging and the people I get to meet through it.
My students of old would have classed me as a feminist it goes hand in hand with being a woman who teaches Sociology. I cannot really imagine teaching a subject like that without searching for equality without pointing out inequality. I am not just a feminist I want to be heard to be standing up against all types of discrimination and I fear that I don’t do that enough. Sometimes I don’t say what I think because I don’t want a confrontation with others – others that don’t see injustice, discrimination and prejudice. I think that is the part of the job I miss the most, those everyday conversations I would have where we discussed that inequality still exists.
When I write about topics like Childhood disappearing or getting girls into science it means something to me and I have realised that I want to write more like this. I am very much part of the parenting blogging community but as my children get older I want to write empowering stuff I still want to make a difference like I always have.
Therefore I am going to search out more positive people, those others that do speak out and that do make others feel good about themselves. It is a bit of an epiphany moment for me really. This post with 55 Role Models for Children is a good starting place!
People influence you every day. Do they inspire you or sap your energy? Do they serve as positive role models or negative influences? Do they want what’s best for you, or are they out for themselves? You probably know those who serve as positive or negative influences in your life. Surround yourself with top-notch people. It makes a huge difference. As they say, you’re only as good as the company you keep.
1. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals.
2. Surround yourself with happy people
3. Ambition is contagious
4. Associating yourself with people who are making a difference.
5. Find the role models or notable figures that you aspire to become.
4 Responses
It is really important to surround yourself with positive role models I think. I meet twice per month with a lovely group of mumpreneurs in our area and always leave feeling inspired in a way that other people just don’t make me feel!
I would like to see my children see both myself and my husband work hard but in very different ways – I work at home, he works 12 hr shifts. Also, I am very conscious as the mum to really drill into my children that the world is their oyster and nothing should hold them back 😀
This is so important. I do seek out positive role models but I fear that I don’t have much to contribute myself. I’m not nearly so wise nor as articulate as my friends, and my part in discussions seems mostly to nod along and verbally agree! Perhaps I’m surrounded by too many intelligent and articulate women!
On the other hand, I’m REALLY good at persuasive arguments and I do love an opportunity to try to coax somebody toward a less ignorant and prejudiced view.
my only worry about being a SAHM is that I dont want my boys to grow up thinking that daddies go out to work and mummies dont! I do tell them that I used to work and i even had my own business, but it is what they see now that has the most impact I guess. Hopefully, as they get older it will all make more sense to them.
having positive role models in your life is really important i think x
I think it is important to close the gender gap but I also think that an important part is teaching boys that girls are just as important. That we may all do different jobs but that doesn’t make any one of us more important than the other. I don’t think you should undermine yourself either – you do plenty , are very empowering and make a huge difference in the community and beyond.