I am a stay-at-home mom to three kids, ages 5, 6, and 10. I had a full career before having kids, and while the decision to stay home was easy because I always believed it was vital for my children, it has been a sacrifice. Frankly, I'm so sick of the comments I get from working moms. There is such a double standard! Most, but not all, working moms in my experience put down or minimize stay-at-home moms, yet WE have to tread lightly about our opinions about them.
Here are only a few comments I've received over the last few years from working moms: 1)"I don't know how you do it; I'd be so bored!:" 2)"It's good for my kids to see me pursuing my career;" 3)"I like to make my own money;" and 4)"Daycare is just too expensive - it's really unfair to moms who have to work." I tend to just change the subject so as to not "offend." But as I think about it, they are being completely offensive. So here are MY responses to some of these comments:
- Only boring people are bored. All jobs have boring mundane parts.
- I don't know if your kids would agree that they are getting so much out of seeing mommy try to do it all - but not doing much of it well.
- I get wanting to make your own money, but I don't think that should trump wanting to raise your own kids.
- Complaining about the cost of daycare is my personal favorite - would you REALLY want it to be cheap? What kind of care would THAT be??
It doesn't really matter what others think, because it's clear to me that being home with them is the right thing. Yes, it can be a struggle to enjoy my days with them sometimes - it's all exhausting and very often not rewarding, but it's the most important work of all, and I will still hold my title as mom as my highest honor on earth. I'm so glad I made the decision to be here for it.
Haley
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