I'm cheating and making Wednesdays at Running Through Life an extension of Tuesday Thoughts since I love expressing my opinions about things. :) Welcome to Wordy Wednesdays, where I talk and talk about whatever I please. :)
Today's topic of discussion will be Stay-at-home Mom Misconceptions, Myths, & Untruths. Since several aquaintances, who were once full-time-work-outside-of-the-home moms, have recently become SAHMs, I have been coming across comments, in real life and virtually about what SAHMs actually do all day. I know I shouldn't care what people think, but since this is my line of work, and will be for at least another couple of years, I feel like I have to defend myself and the profession. So I will profile several misconceptions, myths, and untruths about SAHMs today and hopefully open some eyes to what we really do.
Misconception #1: Stay at home moms do just that: STAY HOME.
Truth: I find the term stay at home mom funny because I do exactly the opposite of that. We are home in the mornings until about 10am, go out for our morning errands/activities, come home for lunch/naps, then are out for our afternoon errands/activities. I stay home maybe a couple hours here and there, but I am never home all day.
Misconception #2: Stay at home moms don't do anything.
Truth: A SAHM wears different hats, and while a lot of what we do involves caring for our children and homes, we are also the ones in charge of the planning and executing of activities for the day; we are usually responsible for the finances in our homes; we are in charge of meal planning for the kids, etc. Remember, kids need constant 24 hour supervision, they need to eat 3 meals, plus 2 snacks a day, they need to be cleaned up, and put down for naps, they need stimulating activities to do everyday. And since SAHMs likely don't outsource their children's care to daycare centers, guess who is in charge of all of that? That's right, the SAHM.
Misconception #3: Stay at home moms don't need to stick to a schedule...whatever goes!
Truth: We are with our kids all day, everyday and a semblance of a schedule helps keep mommy and kids sane. Kids thrive on schedules...they like to know what's coming next, and mommy's need schedules to get everything done. Most SAHMs I know don't sleep in until 10am (contrary to popular belief). When I worked before kids, waking up early for me was 7am. Since having kids, 7am is considered sleeping in.
Misconception #4: Staying at home with your kids is wasting your degree and career.
Truth: I am happy to be available for my kids during the day. I am smart enough to find resources to hone and enhance the skills I possess, while acquiring new ones. Work is just work; there is all the time for that in the world, but my kids are only babies once. And this is just me personally, I have never had a job I've loved enough where I'd want to do it, rather than stay home with my kids. That, and raising my kids isn't a waste of anything.
Misconception #5: Staying at home is for everyone.
Truth: No, its not. For some families, its not financially feasible. For others, Mom is a better mom if she's working outside of the home. Whatever the case, do what's best for your family, and find a happy balance. :)
2 comments:
Oh you rock girl! Well said to all of that!
OMG well written girlfriend!! I too have never loved a job enough to do "it" and raising my children is certainly not a waste of time either. They are little for such a small amount of time that a paycheck just isn't worth it to me to pass that up (IMHO). ;)
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