Behind Every Man...
By Trent Loos

As you have probably figured out, I am on the road more than I am home. My wife and I have two daughters, ages five and one. I was to be home an entire day last week, so my wife decided to go shopping with her sister. While I don’t think it was her intent to show me first-hand what a day is like at home, I have no doubt whatsoever that thinking about it made her smile inside. So it was to be that I spent the day as Mr. Mom. That statement in itself sets the stage. What exactly is it that moms do all day?

At 14 months, Lindsi has mastered the ability to keep your undivided attention by getting into every single thing possible. During the two hours she napped, I did get my radio show done. Otherwise, I could focus on nothing but her for any period of time longer than about three minutes. I did have the TV on and I caught a few tidbits from “Regis and Kelly,” , “The View” and “Oprah,” which planted a few seeds of thought.

On one of those shows, I heard a lady with a two-year-old talking about the simple pleasure of an uninterrupted shower. This is a song I have heard often at my own home. Of concern to me was her underlying message that there was something more important for a parent, particularly a mother, to “be” other than a homemaker and parent. It caused me to reflect on the few mothers I have met in the past couple of years who are afraid or embarrassed to tell you that they are a stay-at-home mom. Why? Is any thing more important in life than properly raising our kids?

What is it that has changed our values in regard to this important role in our society? I don’t think we have to look any farther than the nearest television for our answer. Have you looked at the shows that air on prime time TV today? One that is heavily viewed and quite popular is “Sex and the City.” I think I saw it twice in a hotel room and that was a couple of years ago. The context was pretty much the same each time: Who made my shoes? Is my panty line showing? Who did I have last night or wish I would have had?

Compare that to twenty years ago when “The Waltons” were the hit of the day. On that show, Ma was offended if John and Olivia snuck a quick smooch in broad daylight. This represented a time when the “family” was honored to have a mother who took pride in providing for them. When this family gathered around the table, they gave thanks for the blessings that they had. It was a time when blessings may have not been many, but were deeply appreciated. It was common for three generations to live under one roof in order to share and learn from past generations with hopes of improving the future.

To top off my day as Mr. Mom, Libbi came home from kindergarten with a paper she had done in school. The teacher graded it with a “WOW” at the top. “Daddy, did you know that if you turn WOW over it spells MOM?” she asked.

I did know that, and I don’t believe it is just a strange coincidence. Sometimes it just takes one day of walking in someone else’s shoes to realize what you take for granted. The girls and I managed to survive supper (which had been cooking all day in the crock pot), baths and story time without totally destroying the house. I found out later that Monday was usually laundry day but those ten loads would have to wait until the Master of Her Domain returned to work on Tuesday. I just couldn’t get to it!

I look forward to Thanksgiving when we will sit down with our families and give thanks for the blessings that we have. I feel especially thankful for the mothers of the world that understand the values of “The Waltons” and attempt to uphold them in this crazy world we live in. “Sex and the City” may be entertaining, but what happens on Waltons’ Mountain may hold a better hope for the future of our world.

By now you are surely convinced that I am trying to win the good graces of my wife and my mother. WOW! That is another value from the Waltons that seems hard to come by these days. Happy Thanksgiving!

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