Hi Dr. Laura,
I'm a stay at home mom to a wonderful 2.5 year old daughter and I'm currently 8 months pregnant with our second. You were a large influence in our decision to have me stay at home. My husband runs his own company and I had previously worked for him before our first daughter was born. He works hard to allow me to stay home and raise our little girl and our soon-to-be baby. I am thankful to have such an amazing husband who shares my vision of the importance of being a stay-at-home mom.
We recently moved back to our home town and have started meeting a lot of new people. I have to tell you, when I get asked what "I do" I'm often shocked at people's responses. Just last night, I was at a cocktail party on one of my rare nights out and a new mom of a 1-year-old asked me what I do. I told her I stay at home with my daughter. She responded with "What do you do all day?" It was very difficult for me not to snap back, "What you PAY people to do for you all day," but I bit my tongue and told her all the fun things my daughter and I do on a daily basis. She proceeded to tell me about all the great day cares in the area and that the one her daughter goes to teaches sign language and how fantastic that was. My daughter and I took sign language classes together these past 2 years but I didn't bother to tell her that. I figured it was pointless to point out since she seemed very stuck in her ways.
Also we are getting some work done on our house and have many contractors here the past few weeks. This morning one of the contractors commented. "Another tough day for ya, huh?" I'm not sure how someone can look at a 8 month pregnant woman chasing around a toddler all day in this summer heat, making my family 3 home cooked meals a day and taking care of this house all on her own not a tough job.
I have to say, Dr. Laura, I find these people to be truly sad. Being a stay-at-home mom is a very tough job! It's one of the most important jobs there is and I am VERY proud to be my daughter's mom AND my husband's girlfriend. I work hard at both. When I reflect on my life so far, those 2 things are what I am most proud of. I wish people wouldn't be so quick to belittle that.
Lee
