A priest’s wife faces considerable challenges. More is expected of her than of anybody else, always, and the expectations can be onerous. She is expected to be well dressed, always smiling, prepared to welcome everybody anywhere and at any time, to raise well-mannered children… Polite children who don’t run in the church, avid readers of the Bible who always come first at school. She and her children are expected to always set a good example.
What I struggle most with is the way the community is watching our every move. My children are sometimes put out when other children refer to them as the priest’s daughter or son. Especially as people think that the priest’s children are supposed to be perfect. There are times when people expect our children to be better than other kids, more intelligent, knowing the answers to more questions… It isn’t that simple!