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Dr. Laura – I am so happy to be my kid’s Mom, and I’m grateful that you are there cheering us on. May I brag about my husband? Michael is a long-time construction contractor who now focuses on helping other construction contractors with their businesses. He speaks to many self-employed contractors around the country at conventions, and one of the things he talks about is the number of small construction businesses where the wife HAS to have an outside job because the husband’s construction business doesn’t make any money (or, too often, loses money). He tells the men in the audience that they need to learn how to run their business profitably so that their wives have the choice to stay home with their kids if they want. Last year, at a convention on the east coast, Michael got in trouble with one of the female editors of a major construction magazine who misinterpreted his remarks. She complained to the convention director that Michael was making sexist remarks, telling women they have to stay at home to raise their kids. This complaint has led to the magazine not working with Michael or our business, a decision that has cost us business. I am so proud of my husband for what he says, and for continuing to say it. There are too many wives with husbands in the construction industry who have to work outside of the home because of decisions their husbands are making. Many of them call us in tears, asking for help, because they want to be home with their kids and can’t when their income is needed to support the family. Their husbands are self-employed contractors who don’t make any money because they know their trade and are good at it, but don’t know how to run a business (yet). Thank you for supporting and encouraging mothers. I know that the support you provide to women will help our children and our society for many generations. Devon Stone |