We get so many conflicting messages.  Ofcourse, when I worked for a short while after having my first three children, I got the conflicting message as well...why was I having babies if I was just "out working"?  

I liked being at home.  As my children grew, I became involved in a lot of community and political activities  that allowed me to have the opportunity to do the kinds of things I never could have done had I been trying to hold down a job, too.  

And then, when it became apparent I would not be able to work again, I really felt that societal thing again...only at that time, it felt more as if I'd been played and lied to and finally discarded.