“Her Duty is to Devote Time to Family and Kids, Not Work,” Said Her Husband

Sarah had always been the quintessential stay-at-home mom. Her husband, John, believed that her primary duty was to take care of their two children and manage the household. “Your duty is to devote time to family and kids, not work,” he would often say. Sarah initially agreed, thinking it was the best way to support her family. But as the years passed, she began to feel a growing sense of emptiness.

Every day was a repetition of the last. Wake up, prepare breakfast, get the kids ready for school, clean the house, cook dinner, help with homework, and then go to bed. The routine was suffocating. Sarah felt like she was losing herself in the process. She had dreams and aspirations that were now buried under piles of laundry and dirty dishes.

One evening, after putting the kids to bed, Sarah sat down with John to talk about how she was feeling. “John, I love our family, but I feel like I’m losing myself. I want to do something more with my life. Maybe take a course or find a part-time job,” she said hesitantly.

John looked at her with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. “Sarah, we’ve talked about this. Your place is here, with the kids. They need you. We can’t afford for you to be distracted by other things,” he replied firmly.

Sarah felt a pang of disappointment but decided not to push the issue further that night. However, the feeling of dissatisfaction continued to grow. She started reading books on self-improvement and took online courses in secret whenever she had a spare moment. She even began writing a blog about her experiences as a stay-at-home mom, hoping it would give her a sense of purpose.

Months went by, and Sarah’s blog started gaining traction. She received messages from other mothers who felt the same way she did. They shared their stories of feeling trapped in their roles and yearning for something more. Sarah felt a sense of camaraderie and validation that she hadn’t felt in years.

One day, John found out about the blog. He was furious. “How could you do this behind my back? You’re neglecting your duties as a mother and wife!” he yelled.

Sarah tried to explain that the blog was her way of coping with her feelings of inadequacy and monotony. But John wouldn’t listen. He demanded that she shut it down immediately and focus on her family.

Feeling cornered and defeated, Sarah reluctantly agreed. She deleted her blog and stopped taking online courses. The sense of emptiness returned, stronger than ever. She felt like a prisoner in her own home, with no way to escape.

As the years went by, Sarah’s mental health deteriorated. She became increasingly withdrawn and depressed. Her relationship with John grew strained, and she felt disconnected from her children. The dreams she once had were now distant memories, overshadowed by a life of unfulfilled potential.

Sarah’s story serves as a poignant reminder that everyone needs a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their lives. While family is undoubtedly important, it’s equally crucial to nurture one’s own dreams and aspirations. Unfortunately for Sarah, her story didn’t have a happy ending. She remained trapped in a life that left her feeling empty and unfulfilled.