Working Mom.........

Okay, so today is my fourth Monday as a “stay at home mom.”  I love summers because they give me the chance to breathe, enjoy some free time, enjoy the company of my children (who are growing up way too fast!) and accomplish things I simply cannot  do during the hectic real life as a mom with a 40ish hour per week job outside the home.  I’m extraordinarily lucky in that I am a stay at home mom for nine weeks every year.   In a sincere effort not to sound judgmental or criticize those wonderful women who have chosen to or have been fortunate enough to choose this path of stay at home mom, I would just like to say: I appreciate the love and support you give to your family and children; however, please refrain from ever, ever - seriously suggesting that the life of a stay at home mom is more difficult than that of a mom who works outside of the home.  A woman who works 40, 50 possibly 60 hours away from home still must come home to cook dinner, wash laundry, assist with homework, iron clothes and prep for the next day’s school day, including wardrobe, and ensuring everyone in the family remains on task.  I guess I could also mention being the taxi driver responsible for getting the kids to and from school (on time) as well as any other activities  they choose to belong to (in my case it was Karate 3 x per week for a minimum of 2 hours per night for six years and now the skatepark).   I am a “working mother” who spent seven years as the PTSO president of her children’s school.  Interestingly enough, I didn’t come across many “stay at home” moms willing to sacrifice their time to volunteer when asked (except for a few beautiful souls).   I also spent  most lunch hours being on  campus with my kids to volunteer for everything ranging from selling snacks, reading books,  helping to plant gardens, supervising after school clubs and attending after school games while my daughter played  softball  and volleyball. 

Having the option of spending 9 weeks away from my jobs each year has  given me a pretty good insight as to how a stay at home mom spends her days.   I will tell you it looks absolutely nothing like my “real life”  or the life of many women who spend their days at the office, bank, school or hospital!       The audacity of comparing a stay at home mother to that of a mother who works outside of the home is absolutely hilarious and actually borders on ridiculousness.   It’s as though someone neglected to realize that everything a stay at home mother does; a mother who works away from the house must also do, but with 50 hours less per week to complete!     I recently read a quote that a stay at home mom is worth about $113,000.00 per year while a working mom is worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 69,000,  I call Shenanigans!  Whoever came up with that absurd number is invited to promptly kiss my hard working ass.

Let’s just say, If this were a workday – no way in hell I’d have time to write this blog J