SAHM's, What do you do all day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading this thread makes me envious of fathers.

Seriously. No SAH vs. WOH bullshit AND they are exalted for doing mundane things like changing diapers or cooking dinner.

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM, and volunteering takes a ton of my time (two schools, church, not-for-profit). Driving my kids to after-school activities and playdates, or being with them at home after school to help with homework, etc., is another big chunk of my day. I go to all their soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, field trips, class parties, etc. The rest is all the household stuff that takes up anyone's time: tidying and housekeeping chores, laundry, cooking, paying bills, monitoring investments, troubleshooting computers and electronics, family cards and bday gifts, planning birthday parties, dinner parties (we have way more than most people), family scheduling, doctor appointments, vet appointments, buying whatever the family needs in the way of clothes, school supplies, household supplies, drugstore stuff, figuring out what to do with all the kids' art projects and school papers, occasional exciting projects like organizing closets. I consider it a good day if a find time for a walk, let alone real exercise. It is nothing like vacation. And I honestly wonder how WOH moms with demanding jobs manage to hold it all together.


Many of us WOHM miss out on some of the things you mention. We also outsource some of the other stuff you mention, (which is probably why we sometimes forget how much work it is - and hence this post), and many of us do some it from work. Those who don't have means/type of job to allow for either, yes I agree, i don;t know how they hold it together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be funny, but if your kids are in school, what do you do all day? I've been on vacation all of this week, and LOVING it. Wishing I didn't have to go back. But, now that it's the end of the week, I'm wondering what would I be doing if this was my way of life? I feel like I'd run out of money & things to do.

Just curious....

I'm a SAHM, and volunteering takes a ton of my time (two schools, church, not-for-profit). Driving my kids to after-school activities and playdates, or being with them at home after school to help with homework, etc., is another big chunk of my day. I go to all their soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, field trips, class parties, etc. The rest is all the household stuff that takes up anyone's time: tidying and housekeeping chores, laundry, cooking, paying bills, monitoring investments, troubleshooting computers and electronics, family cards and bday gifts, planning birthday parties, dinner parties (we have way more than most people), family scheduling, doctor appointments, vet appointments, buying whatever the family needs in the way of clothes, school supplies, household supplies, drugstore stuff, figuring out what to do with all the kids' art projects and school papers, occasional exciting projects like organizing closets. I consider it a good day if a find time for a walk, let alone real exercise. It is nothing like vacation. And I honestly wonder how WOH moms with demanding jobs manage to hold it all together.

I respect SAHMs and I did stay home for several years when my kids were young, but I think that working moms wonder about SAHMs with kids in school because we do all the same things (laundry, chores, planning birthday parties etc etc, but also work too. Personally, I really enjoy working and like making money and having a career. I' can leave work fairly early so I don't miss too much time with our DC. Occasionally it's a juggling act, but I think having a career is worth it. Part time would probably be ideal but financially it wouldn't work. I just wonder if SAHM with kids in school would like a career and a purpose outside the home. Raising children is extremely important, but when they are in school, it's not necessary that you are at home. It's too bad there aren't more part time positions for professionals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be funny, but if your kids are in school, what do you do all day? I've been on vacation all of this week, and LOVING it. Wishing I didn't have to go back. But, now that it's the end of the week, I'm wondering what would I be doing if this was my way of life? I feel like I'd run out of money & things to do.

Just curious....

You have no imagination and no hobbies and no community involvement if you can't think of how others might spend their time. My kid is a special needs kid, 3 and I spend what little time I have when he is in preschool, making appointments (medical, developmental). I organize a local special interest playgroup for children. I take a class at a local college and sometimes do my homework during the day. I try to coordinate all of my child's care. I nap when he naps because I'm tired. If I had more time, I would mat and frame paintings, work on developing skills, write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a SAHM, and volunteering takes a ton of my time (two schools, church, not-for-profit). Driving my kids to after-school activities and playdates, or being with them at home after school to help with homework, etc., is another big chunk of my day. I go to all their soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, field trips, class parties, etc. The rest is all the household stuff that takes up anyone's time: tidying and housekeeping chores, laundry, cooking, paying bills, monitoring investments, troubleshooting computers and electronics, family cards and bday gifts, planning birthday parties, dinner parties (we have way more than most people), family scheduling, doctor appointments, vet appointments, buying whatever the family needs in the way of clothes, school supplies, household supplies, drugstore stuff, figuring out what to do with all the kids' art projects and school papers, occasional exciting projects like organizing closets. I consider it a good day if a find time for a walk, let alone real exercise. It is nothing like vacation. And I honestly wonder how WOH moms with demanding jobs manage to hold it all together.


Many of us WOHM miss out on some of the things you mention. We also outsource some of the other stuff you mention, (which is probably why we sometimes forget how much work it is - and hence this post), and many of us do some it from work. Those who don't have means/type of job to allow for either, yes I agree, i don;t know how they hold it together.

I WOHM and my DH and I do almost all the things that you list. Not sure who else besides parents would do all those things. Been a scout leader, on the Board of Trustees of one kids school, room parent, transport to soccer practices, attend sports games for both kids (including during the week) in all seasons, obviously all the home and kid and pet management tasks. We do have a weekly housecleaner. Probably get less sleep and less excercise than SAHMs (sure dont have time for the 4x/week spin classes another poster just asked about!).

Oddly enough my kids are teens and seem to be great kids with no issues so something has worked right.

[nycmom]

ok- so whether you stay at home or go to work- do any of you ladies exercise? and where do you go? I am moving to Bethesda in a few weeks and am looking for a place that I can get out all of my pent up stress- and judging from some of these fiesty posts- more than a few of you need to get some stress out as well!

[Anonymous]

nycmom wrote:ok- so whether you stay at home or go to work- do any of you ladies exercise? and where do you go? I am moving to Bethesda in a few weeks and am looking for a place that I can get out all of my pent up stress- and judging from some of these fiesty posts- more than a few of you need to get some stress out as well!

you gotta join Club DC Urban Moms

[Anonymous]

I'm so sick of all these "I can do what you do and more" boasts. It's the equivalent of penis measuring for the moms. Everyone's life is different and challenging. Is it really that important what each one of us does between 9 and 3 pm? Everyone get over yourself. No one is curing cancer here.

[Anonymous]

(however, if you are curing cancer and still manage to get dinner on the table by 7, then you have the biggest dick here)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a SAHM, and volunteering takes a ton of my time (two schools, church, not-for-profit). Driving my kids to after-school activities and playdates, or being with them at home after school to help with homework, etc., is another big chunk of my day. I go to all their soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, field trips, class parties, etc. The rest is all the household stuff that takes up anyone's time: tidying and housekeeping chores, laundry, cooking, paying bills, monitoring investments, troubleshooting computers and electronics, family cards and bday gifts, planning birthday parties, dinner parties (we have way more than most people), family scheduling, doctor appointments, vet appointments, buying whatever the family needs in the way of clothes, school supplies, household supplies, drugstore stuff, figuring out what to do with all the kids' art projects and school papers, occasional exciting projects like organizing closets. I consider it a good day if a find time for a walk, let alone real exercise. It is nothing like vacation. And I honestly wonder how WOH moms with demanding jobs manage to hold it all together.


Many of us WOHM miss out on some of the things you mention. We also outsource some of the other stuff you mention, (which is probably why we sometimes forget how much work it is - and hence this post), and many of us do some it from work. Those who don't have means/type of job to allow for either, yes I agree, i don;t know how they hold it together.

I WOHM and my DH and I do almost all the things that you list. Not sure who else besides parents would do all those things. Been a scout leader, on the Board of Trustees of one kids school, room parent, transport to soccer practices, attend sports games for both kids (including during the week) in all seasons, obviously all the home and kid and pet management tasks. We do have a weekly housecleaner. Probably get less sleep and less excercise than SAHMs (sure dont have time for the 4x/week spin classes another poster just asked about!).

Oddly enough my kids are teens and seem to be great kids with no issues so something has worked right.

Honest question - do you do most of this things during the week at night or on the weekends? And do you work full-time or part-time? My weekends are free from cleaning and other household maintenance tasks so my weekends are free to do fun-family themed activities. Your house cleaner is out-sourced help and right there disqualifies you from doing everything a SAH would do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I WOHM and my DH and I do almost all the things that you list. Not sure who else besides parents would do all those things. Been a scout leader, on the Board of Trustees of one kids school, room parent, transport to soccer practices, attend sports games for both kids (including during the week) in all seasons, obviously all the home and kid and pet management tasks. We do have a weekly housecleaner. Probably get less sleep and less excercise than SAHMs (sure dont have time for the 4x/week spin classes another poster just asked about!).

Oddly enough my kids are teens and seem to be great kids with no issues so something has worked right.

Somethings gotta give, right? I bet it is qt with DH or the kids.

[nycmom]

is that a joke? or is there really a dc urban mom gym? if so- based on the scary and mean things people have had to say on this thread- my guess is that its full of steroid pumping meat heads doing chest bumps and kissing their own muscles...not really my scene!

[Anonymous]

nycmom wrote:is that a joke? or is there really a dc urban mom gym? if so- based on the scary and mean things people have had to say on this thread- my guess is that its full of steroid pumping meat heads doing chest bumps and kissing their own muscles...not really my scene!

LOL. I like you. Welcome! Still LOL!

[nycmom]

thanks! I was cracking myself up- because you can picture that, right? after reading some of these comments!
seems silly really- who cares what others do- we are women and should be bonded together- supporting each other- regardless of socio-economic differences- but clearly- that is not the case.
so sad! and can someone PLEASE tell me where in the hell these angry housewives NOT eating bon bons, bust their asses in the gym?
really? I can't believe that NOBODY has a spin class they want to tell me about....sheesh!

[Anonymous]

nycmom wrote:thanks! I was cracking myself up- because you can picture that, right? after reading some of these comments!
seems silly really- who cares what others do- we are women and should be bonded together- supporting each other- regardless of socio-economic differences- but clearly- that is not the case.
so sad! and can someone PLEASE tell me where in the hell these angry housewives NOT eating bon bons, bust their asses in the gym?
really? I can't believe that NOBODY has a spin class they want to tell me about....sheesh!

Hi, Did you check out the fitness forum? You can also search the archives. If no one answers check back tmmr around noon. Most of us are sleeping, but people will catch up on threads in the am and respond.

Maybe check out this website - http://www.bethesda.org/

Also, not being snarky, but try to google "gym bethesda, md" or "spinning classes bethesda, md", you'll get lots of hits. There are tons of reviews for fitness classes and gyms on www.yelp.com, try there too.

Welcome to the seedy underbelly of the DC Mom Scene!

Good Luck!