Do working moms actually like the "WOHM" acronym??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To 11:54 (the SAHM who thinks her job is harder):

Sounds like you miss adult interaction and have trouble managing your kids and schedule. Sounds like you might be bored or simply aren't cut out for homemaking (which truly is an art form). But that doesn't mean your job is harder.

It means that it was harder for her. Which makes it harder ---- for her. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

Or like many, you outsource some of these things -- at least the childcare as someone is watching your child when you are working.

[Anonymous]

Ah, the mommy wars...

Okay, here's what I think:

Who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To 11:54 (the SAHM who thinks her job is harder):

Sounds like you miss adult interaction and have trouble managing your kids and schedule. Sounds like you might be bored or simply aren't cut out for homemaking (which truly is an art form). But that doesn't mean your job is harder.

It means that it was harder for her. Which makes it harder ---- for her. YMMV.

Exactly, just saying that having done both for several years with children, I found SAH the much harder job. Most of the women who think SAHMs have it so easy have never actually SAH with toddlers or older children or for more than a maternity leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ah, the mommy wars...

Okay, here's what I think:

Who cares.

Here's what I think:

Paid maternity leave.
Paid paternity leave.
Paid sick leave.
Affordable, high-quality childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

Or like many, you outsource some of these things -- at least the childcare as someone is watching your child when you are working.

Agreed: "Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working." My point was, I never understand why SAHMs use examples like "laundry" and "grocery shopping" and "cooking" and "taking the kids to the doctor" when those are things everyone does. I will concede that taking care of small kids all day can be as hard as doing a paid job outside the home, but I don't see how it is HARDER to do that plus run the household, compared to someone who works outside the home and still has to run the household.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

Or like many, you outsource some of these things -- at least the childcare as someone is watching your child when you are working.

Agreed: "Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working." My point was, I never understand why SAHMs use examples like "laundry" and "grocery shopping" and "cooking" and "taking the kids to the doctor" when those are things everyone does. I will concede that taking care of small kids all day can be as hard as doing a paid job outside the home, but I don't see how it is HARDER to do that plus run the household, compared to someone who works outside the home and still has to run the household.

Because they do it for 8 to 10 more hours each day than you do, that's the difference--it's harder without the break (I have read more books on my commute than I read when a SAH) . And if you are honest, you probably outsource some of those things, I certainly do and didn't when I was a SAH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

I don't get this either. I do laundry, make lunches, cook, change diapers, go to kid stuff, take care of finances - AND I work outside the home. So I do your job and another one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

I don't get this either. I do laundry, make lunches, cook, change diapers, go to kid stuff, take care of finances - AND I work outside the home. So I do your job and another one.

Except the kid part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

Or like many, you outsource some of these things -- at least the childcare as someone is watching your child when you are working.

Agreed: "Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working." My point was, I never understand why SAHMs use examples like "laundry" and "grocery shopping" and "cooking" and "taking the kids to the doctor" when those are things everyone does. I will concede that taking care of small kids all day can be as hard as doing a paid job outside the home, but I don't see how it is HARDER to do that plus run the household, compared to someone who works outside the home and still has to run the household.

Agree completely. This is my primary pet peeve with certain SAHMs. I had to listen to one SAHM neighbor expound upon how difficult it is to be the only person responsible for scheduling the plumber, researching camps, buying kid clothes, making doctors appointments, etc., and that she was REALLY kept busy doing these things, so she hasn't gone back to work. (Her kids are both school age.) All I could think was that she is either a complete moron or just the world's most inefficient person. I do all those things too. Myself. Yet I am not so overwhelmed with camps and plumbers that I can't hold down a full time job. Just WOW on the lack of awareness for that woman. Who does she think handles those tasks at my house? The Scheduling Fairy? A Shopping Elf? Nope - I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

Or like many, you outsource some of these things -- at least the childcare as someone is watching your child when you are working.

Agreed: "Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working." My point was, I never understand why SAHMs use examples like "laundry" and "grocery shopping" and "cooking" and "taking the kids to the doctor" when those are things everyone does. I will concede that taking care of small kids all day can be as hard as doing a paid job outside the home, but I don't see how it is HARDER to do that plus run the household, compared to someone who works outside the home and still has to run the household.

Agree completely. This is my primary pet peeve with certain SAHMs. I had to listen to one SAHM neighbor expound upon how difficult it is to be the only person responsible for scheduling the plumber, researching camps, buying kid clothes, making doctors appointments, etc., and that she was REALLY kept busy doing these things, so she hasn't gone back to work. (Her kids are both school age.) All I could think was that she is either a complete moron or just the world's most inefficient person. I do all those things too. Myself. Yet I am not so overwhelmed with camps and plumbers that I can't hold down a full time job. Just WOW on the lack of awareness for that woman. Who does she think handles those tasks at my house? The Scheduling Fairy? A Shopping Elf? Nope - I do.

Well, she does take care of her kids all day and you do not. No value judgment there, I have a nanny myself and work outside the home, but you seem to be overlooking the obvious in your desire to feel superior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

I don't get this either. I do laundry, make lunches, cook, change diapers, go to kid stuff, take care of finances - AND I work outside the home. So I do your job and another one.

Nope, you outsource childcare and a SAH does not-- that takes up the bulk of her day and a few hours of yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

Or like many, you outsource some of these things -- at least the childcare as someone is watching your child when you are working.

Agreed: "Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working." My point was, I never understand why SAHMs use examples like "laundry" and "grocery shopping" and "cooking" and "taking the kids to the doctor" when those are things everyone does. I will concede that taking care of small kids all day can be as hard as doing a paid job outside the home, but I don't see how it is HARDER to do that plus run the household, compared to someone who works outside the home and still has to run the household.

Agree completely. This is my primary pet peeve with certain SAHMs. I had to listen to one SAHM neighbor expound upon how difficult it is to be the only person responsible for scheduling the plumber, researching camps, buying kid clothes, making doctors appointments, etc., and that she was REALLY kept busy doing these things, so she hasn't gone back to work. (Her kids are both school age.) All I could think was that she is either a complete moron or just the world's most inefficient person. I do all those things too. Myself. Yet I am not so overwhelmed with camps and plumbers that I can't hold down a full time job. Just WOW on the lack of awareness for that woman. Who does she think handles those tasks at my house? The Scheduling Fairy? A Shopping Elf? Nope - I do.

Well, she does take care of her kids all day and you do not. No value judgment there, I have a nanny myself and work outside the home, but you seem to be overlooking the obvious in your desire to feel superior.

No one is arguing that taking care of kids doesn't keep you busy! It's just bizarre to hear SAHMs complain about all the other stuff, when we ALL have to do it.

Also, I WISH there were a Scheduling Fairy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What pray tell is that one responsibility? Is it cleaning and housework? Laundry? Cooking and packing lunches? Is it changing diapers? Driving Kids every where and going to all conferences/appointments? Is it taking care of all the finances? Is it taking care of a elderly sick parent? Is it homework help? Not all families have a dad who can help with these tasks, most high earners have super long hours and/or lots of overnight travel.

I have far more time for mental breaks and far more adult companionship when working outside the home.

I never understand these lists. I WOHM and do all of these things. Granted, I don't do them during the hours I am working, but they all still need to get done, meaning either my schedule has to shift around or I have to do them at night and on the weekend.

I don't get this either. I do laundry, make lunches, cook, change diapers, go to kid stuff, take care of finances - AND I work outside the home. So I do your job and another one.

+1

I do all those things and have a full-time (and not 9-5 full time but 730am-5pm; 8pm-10 or 11 full time) job. Plus, when I'm doing all the other things like laundry, diapers, kid stuff, finances, ect., I am expected to be available to answer emails/calls from clients.

[Anonymous]

Any WOHMs willing to guess how much time they spend at work dealing with home issues? (Like scheduling contractors, ordering whatever from Amazon, managing finances, searching online for clothes for the whole family for an upcoming out of town wedding, looking at real estate, beach house booking, flights for Christmas break, etc etc).