Suze Orman on Oprah October 13th, 2008

Suze Orman was on Oprah today talking about what people can afford and what they can't afford. A lady was on who has one child and is pregnant (due in April 2009) with her second child. She currently works four days a week. She has an excess of something like $2400 per month after all bills and day care are paid for. If she quits working she will have an excess of over $800 per month. Suze Orman told her that she basically had no business staying at home with her two kids.

Now I get that this is strictly from a financial stand point but I'm hoping that the LDS people listening were aware that the Lord does provide for those who choose to follow a Prophet's counsel. I don't usually get really spiritual or preachy on this blog but I would beg more mothers to realize that maybe if all women made an effort to stay at home and find satisfaction in their work at home then possibly the men's wages would increase, day care costs would drop.

I realize that some women without question have to work. I am not trying to judge anyone. Those without children or who have met horrible circumstances have to do what they have to do. I am talking about mothers like me who may have to simply save the pennies that they can, do without what they can, live in more affordable homes and drive more affordable cars or simply use public transit wherever possible.

All things are a trade off. I was so worried to hear someone try to tell someone that their newborn would rather hear the beating of a mother's heart who was not stressed about money rather than being able to hear a mother's heart all day long when it was held. All mother's will have some stress somewhere. What if the baby can pick up on the guilt that the mother may feel by working through the baby's infancy.

Here is hoping that more mothers will realize that as President Hinckley stated: If anyone can change or improve the world it will start with Mothers!