I'm one of those middle of the pack working moms and sure I experience that, definitely. Some of these ladies rule me out as a social contact because I am unlike them, or of no use to them in networking. They don't ask, but I am achieving my financial goals and preserving my time for my other priorities. Some of them have even told me so straight out and expect me to receive that information humbly. Lol. |
I didn't say it was progress that education was necessarily about working outside of the home. I said it was progress that we can be begin to debate what the point of education (which is largely taxpayer funded, btw, so the impact to society as a whole is not entirely irrelevant) is without holding men and women to different standards. If education is truly about "understanding the world and yourself," it should be that for both men and women. If it's about productively contributing to society through paid work outside of the home, then it should be that for both men and women. |
I know a few men who have taken time off of work for 2-10 years to be with their kids. Or went very part-time. Mostly to be supportive when their wives were making a big career move. They seemed to be semi-retired or making a career transition (starting new business, changing careers, volunteering/boards). Well, one guy seems to just travel a lot. I don't think any of them feel they are wasting anything. Just like the accomplished SAHMs I know. |
And here it is...the bullshit of the wealthy SAHM...putting down working moms for not "spending time with their children". And that is the real reason that WOH moms get sick of listening to SAHMs. Get your head out of your 1950s ass. |
Yes! |
The real answer to this question is that most moms are too busy to worry about what other moms are doing. There is the bizarro subset of wealthy SAHMs on DCUM who get on here going on and on and how they are not respected or blah blah blah. Check your privilege and shut up. Please. |
And that's awesome--the norms are slowly changing. I hope the next generation of parents finds that to be more of an option than this one. I know it certainly didn't feel like an option for my dad, for example, to take paternity leave. I now see millennial men taking paternity leave with some frequency. This is all good. |
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NP. You're really reaching if that's what you see in her post. And the fact is, there is a finite amount of time in the day. My husband spends 11 hours every work day outside of the house. That means he only has 13 left at home, 10 of which are spent with the children asleep. That is just reality and to deny it us pointless p. It shouldn't bother you if that is pointed out. It doesn't bother me if people say "you don't work for money" because I don't. |
Np. You get the irony here right? If you don't like to be treated this way, perhaps you shouldn't do it to others. |
It sounds like you have worked hard and made good financial and life decisions. You are very fortunate! But do you really believe that your way is the best and only way? I married young, had children young, supported my husband's career and took care of our home and children as a SAH, and began my own career a bit later in my mid 30's. I have absolutely no regrets and feel VERY fortunate. My husband and I have always been a team - we both rely on each other's "generosity." My children do see me as a role model despite the fact that I put my career plans on hold when they were young. I guess we do not measure people's value simply in terms of career. Am I in disbelief that others do not share my values, lifestyle choices, financial decisions or career path? Not at all. I realize that we are all cut from different cloth and have different life experiences. Why would I look down on others for not being like me or be "in disbelief" about it? |
There are many ways to contribute to a good life for your family. My grandfather was a postal worker and my grandmother was a stay at home mom. She raised six children and helped care for all of her 15 grandchildren including me. She was a great cook, she would sew clothes and knit sweaters and mittens, and she cared for her elderly mother. She never had much money but she was kind, loving, and generous. She lived until her late 90's. I have tremendous respect for her and I tell my daughters about her all the time. I think she contributed a great deal while she was on the planet and improved the lives of others. |
Some people view the family as a single unit at the fulcrum, not two people standing on either side trying impossibly to balance perfectly. And kids are smart. They know that people make choices and that someday they will have their own choice to make based on their own personal circumstances. It is not for us to say "do exactly what I did," but to urge them to be in the best position to have choices themselves. |
Do you think you're responding to one person? – At least the third person who is agreeing with that |
I will give you my thoughts.
a. If I see a rich SAHM with her Lululemons and Barre classes, driving around in her BMW I get annoyed because of jealousy. She must have married well enough to have to not worry about earning a living and enjoying a plush life. Must be nice. b. Mostly what is disturbing to me is usually these SAHM types are very well educated and come from well off families to begin with. They grew up supporting women's rights and access to equal opportunities. They also tend to be tiger moms and fight to get their daighters into the best private schools and colleges and discuss plans to have their daughters become scientists and diplomats... They themselves could have had fantastic careers. It just seems hypocritical, lazy and...fake. c. The middle class SAHMs do not bother me. They were probably not very ambitious or well educated to begin with. |