Stay at home mom...this is what I call myself. I don't work outside the home and I don't earn a paycheck. Whenever someone asks what I do or if I work, I always reply with "I'm a stay at home mom". It's a sort of strange phrase. But, what I really want to say is..."YES, I WORK". Anyone who has ever stayed home with kids and run a household knows that it IS work...and hard work. Yes, there are benefits too. It's what is right for me and my family at this point in our lives. We make some sacrifices to make it work but we are also blessed immensely and have the financial means to do it too.
I don't really know what else to call myself. Usually on forms when it asks for my profession I put down "Mom". I have had part-time jobs over the years but right now it's best for our family if I don't. It gets to be too much of a scheduling pain to make it worth the money. All of my time, energy and focus is on my family and taking care of our house, etc.
It makes me sad when women battle over whether it's harder to stay home or to work and raise kids too. I think both are hard. There are benefits to both. Sometimes I would love to put on a nice outfit, grab a coffee at Starbucks and head into the office. I tell my hubby that on loud, hard days at home I dream of being an accountant...sitting in a peaceful office. I'm sure if I was in that office I would be dreaming of my wild and loud family.
So...what do you call yourself? Stay at home mom, homemaker, working mom? I'm thinking the title "CEO of wildatheartfamily" is a good one.
I am the "activities director" and often tell people that I work for my son.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who says staying at home isn't difficult or work hasn't done it. It is hard--the hardest thing I have ever done. Staying home isn't for everyone--as I have discovered, just as working isn't for everyone. You are an awesome mom and the larger question is why do we label each other with our occupations--they are only what we do not who we are.
As a field interviewer for quite a few studies I have struggled for years with the language of the questions and options parents have to choose from...my favorite label is "homemaker" because you can be a homemaker and spend anywhere from 0 percent to 100 percent of your time making a home for the ones you live with. Whether they are children (biological, adopted, step, half, foster, etc.) or they are spouses or grandparents or some other dependent adults. And becky, you are very much a home-maker for the ones you love and the ones who love you.
ReplyDeleteI write down "mom" too. My youngest starts school next year, and I will be back to work... I am sad that they are all growing up so quickly, but I am looking forward to talking with adults regularly!
ReplyDeleteI once read a book called "Home By Choice" and started calling myself a "homeworker" after that. To me, it says it all. You're at home and you're working!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing! I'm sure some mothers out their choose to work because they can't handle full time motherhood...don't tisk tisk people...you know it's true. It's a demanding 24 hour a day 7 days a week job! If only it paid..sigh.
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