These days, most people just assume that all girls will go to college, get a degree, move out of their father's house, get a job, and then eventually they might get married and have a couple of kids. I'm sure all of us have been asked questions similar to the following what seems like a million times:
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Do you plan to attend college in the future?" (assuming you will answer yes)
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Okay, so you want to eventually get married and have children; but what are you doing now?"
It's not always easy to give a quick answer to these questions. Remember that most people are well-meaning when asking questions like this. It can easily get annoying to us to have people always seeming to poke their noses into our business.
Though your answers to the above questions may differ from mine, here are a few ideas of how to reply (without trying to get into a lengthy conversation. I would also have you know that many of these answers were either shared with me by friends, or thought up at a time when I was not being asked the question! {smile}):
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
• "I want to be a keeper at home, a helper to my future husband, and a mother who will raise up my children to be the next godly generation."
• Leave it at "A stay-at-home wife and mother," and see how they respond.
"Do you plan to attend college in the future?"
• "No, I plan to continue my education at home."
• Really knock them off their feet - "Actually, I have already received a full scholarship to Home Ec University! I hope to major in homemaking and motherhood. As a matter of fact, I've been admitted on to the campus early!" (See if they've got an answer to that one! Note: I have not personally tried this one yet...{smile})
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
• "Yes! I love my dad very much." (This one could take a moment to sink in...)
• "No, I am reserving my heart for my future husband."
• "I do not. I believe that God is much more experienced at picking out husbands than I am!"
• Or really scare them and say with utmost seriousness, "No, my parents have decided to go with the arranged marriage," and see how they respond! :-)
"So, what are you doing now?"
• "I'm a stay-at-home daughter."
• "I'm staying at home and preparing myself to be the very best wife and mother I can be!"
• "I am strengthening my arm to rock the cradle that will rule the world." (I can't take the credit for this one...a friend was the one who came up with it!)
Of course, answers like these will more likely than not bring on more questions accompanied by facial expressions that say, "This girl is nuts!" Stay strong in what you believe is true. Another idea is to ask your mom or dad to tell you what they would like you to answer to these questions. You are definitely not the only maiden out there in this situation!
If you have a reply to any of the above questions that has "worked" for you and would like to share it, contact me.
