Where do SAHMs live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Why am I a SAHM who prefers the company of working moms?

Maybe I should rethink this SAHM thing.

Honestly, I don't think it matters much. I've been a working mom (demanding career) and a SAHM and have spent many hours socially with both working moms (on the weekends) and SAHMs. Universally we ALL talk about our children when we talk with other moms. How much they're sleeping, what they're eating, what they're saying, etc, etc. etc. It's just that the working ones have a break from this for 8-12 hours a day. But when I working and spending time with other working moms I sure wasn't going on and on about my job and all the interesting things I was doing 9-5. I was talking about my kids and so were they.

I've been both a WM and SAHM too, and frankly I didn't find my 9-5 day more interesting than my children. It was the opposite for me. Plus, the SAHMs in my current community are more accomplished, better educated, more involved in social and political circles, and more interesting than most (though not all) of my old work colleagues. Then again, in five years, we'll probably all be back at work, and observing new SAHMs from a distance.

So why don't we stick with the topic here: where are the communities with lots of SAHMs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I think it would be very isolating to be a SAHM and not have other SAHMs are around. It's a tough and isolating job even if your neighborhood is full of SAHMs. I can imagine it is even more challenging if there aren't other SAHMs in the neighborhood.

Why am I a SAHM who prefers the company of working moms?

Maybe I should rethink this SAHM thing.

What do you mean?

I feel as though I have nothing in common with SAHMs. Isn't that sad? I really like the edginess to my working mom pals. They are so funny and so real. (I worked FT through pregnancy, PT with my first for 2.5 years, then took leave, and became pregnant with number 2.)

I live in Silver Spring (north, not Silver Spring proper) where most mothers work. The SAHMs I've met are so Pollyanna-like that they drive me crazy. What's the harm in talking about the downside of staying home? It's kind of therapeutic. I've offended quite a few, which technically doesn't bother me. bad, I know . . . But once I used the word hate, and this mother was trying to make apologize in front of her 3 yo child after she scolded me - IN FRONT of her child, I have to add. It was ridiculous.

I love working mothers. I think my friends who work have a nice balance. They love their children, their husbands, and their careers.

My children are fine. They're happy and social - even the baby, but I'm not the type to do crafts with my daughter. Hell, I refuse to take them to the park on a cold day. And although I've done the library story times, I will admit that those story times did drive me crazy. Half the kids were running around like chickens and the mothers seemed so oblivious.

And the play dates? They are never ending! Honestly, I think my daughter's preschool is enough of an outlet for her M-F. (My son is still too young for school.) I was scolded by a mom b/c she saw soy formula on my counter. (These breasts were beasts for 6 months! Now they deserve to rest!) She said soy made boys sterile. OK - I told her that at least my son would not be coming home with a pregnant girlfriend. harsh? I suppose . . . but I couldn't help myself. And this woman STILL wants to schedule play dates!

I feel as though SOME SAHMs are aiming for perfection (at least the ones I've met), and I'm definitely NOT there, nor do I want to be. I really like my flaws and readily admit to them. But when I do, I get weird stares.

I mean - would YOU want to friend me if you were a SAHM? probably not . . .

Now, would you meet me for happy hour after work for a good laugh? probably yes!

I can already feel the fire. So I'm sure I'll get flamed. But b/c I do like warm weather, I'll welcome heated responses, especially on this cold evening.

PP, sorry for venting but thanks for asking! I'm going to make myself a Vodka with cranberry now!

Enjoy the weekend, ladies!

I like you (other than the SAHM-judging part) and I'm a SAHM. I had other SAHM friends like you before we moved over the summer. I miss hanging out with them.

[Anonymous]

Are there a lot of SAHMs in McLean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why am I a SAHM who prefers the company of working moms?

Maybe I should rethink this SAHM thing.

Honestly, I don't think it matters much. I've been a working mom (demanding career) and a SAHM and have spent many hours socially with both working moms (on the weekends) and SAHMs. Universally we ALL talk about our children when we talk with other moms. How much they're sleeping, what they're eating, what they're saying, etc, etc. etc. It's just that the working ones have a break from this for 8-12 hours a day. But when I working and spending time with other working moms I sure wasn't going on and on about my job and all the interesting things I was doing 9-5. I was talking about my kids and so were they.

I've been both a WM and SAHM too, and frankly I didn't find my 9-5 day more interesting than my children. It was the opposite for me. Plus, the SAHMs in my current community are more accomplished, better educated, more involved in social and political circles, and more interesting than most (though not all) of my old work colleagues. Then again, in five years, we'll probably all be back at work, and observing new SAHMs from a distance.

So why don't we stick with the topic here: where are the communities with lots of SAHMs?

Olney and Brookeville - lots of SAHMs . . . Olney's moms are more down to earth.

[Anonymous]

If you work downtown, how far is the commute to/from Olney?

[Anonymous]

I feel as though I have nothing in common with SAHMs. Isn't that sad? I really like the edginess to my working mom pals. They are so funny and so real. (I worked FT through pregnancy, PT with my first for 2.5 years, then took leave, and became pregnant with number 2.)

I live in Silver Spring (north, not Silver Spring proper) where most mothers work. The SAHMs I've met are so Pollyanna-like that they drive me crazy. What's the harm in talking about the downside of staying home? It's kind of therapeutic. I've offended quite a few, which technically doesn't bother me. bad, I know . . . But once I used the word hate, and this mother was trying to make apologize in front of her 3 yo child after she scolded me - IN FRONT of her child, I have to add. It was ridiculous.

I love working mothers. I think my friends who work have a nice balance. They love their children, their husbands, and their careers.

My children are fine. They're happy and social - even the baby, but I'm not the type to do crafts with my daughter. Hell, I refuse to take them to the park on a cold day. And although I've done the library story times, I will admit that those story times did drive me crazy. Half the kids were running around like chickens and the mothers seemed so oblivious.

And the play dates? They are never ending! Honestly, I think my daughter's preschool is enough of an outlet for her M-F. (My son is still too young for school.) I was scolded by a mom b/c she saw soy formula on my counter. (These breasts were beasts for 6 months! Now they deserve to rest!) She said soy made boys sterile. OK - I told her that at least my son would not be coming home with a pregnant girlfriend. harsh? I suppose . . . but I couldn't help myself. And this woman STILL wants to schedule play dates!

I feel as though SOME SAHMs are aiming for perfection (at least the ones I've met), and I'm definitely NOT there, nor do I want to be. I really like my flaws and readily admit to them. But when I do, I get weird stares.

I mean - would YOU want to friend me if you were a SAHM? probably not . . .

Now, would you meet me for happy hour after work for a good laugh? probably yes!

I can already feel the fire. So I'm sure I'll get flamed. But b/c I do like warm weather, I'll welcome heated responses, especially on this cold evening.

PP, sorry for venting but thanks for asking! I'm going to make myself a Vodka with cranberry now!

Enjoy the weekend, ladies!

Huh.
I'm a SAHM in the district and I haven't found the other SAHMs I know to be like this at all. We all gave up interesting careers to stay home and are VERY open and honest about the challenges of staying home and being a mom in general. I can't say I know one mom who wouldn't say outright that staying home sucks at times. That it is a life full of amazing moments with your kids but also hours of drudgery and tedium.

I think if I felt surrounded by moms aiming for perfection I'd be back to work full time next week. It's the camaraderie I feel with other moms that are open about their struggles that often keeps me going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you work downtown, how far is the commute to/from Olney?

That's a difficult question to answer. If you go by metro, you have to hit Glenmont, which is south on Georgia Avenue. If you drive it, you'd have to either go down New Hampshire Avenue or Georgia Avenue. So it's not an easy commute to DC at all, unless your hours are flexible. It's actually easier to commute to Rockville or Gaithersburg from Olney.

anyone in Olney willing to add more info?

I loved living in Olney b/c it was a community. You were surrounded by shopping centers, restaurants, and solid schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I think it would be very isolating to be a SAHM and not have other SAHMs are around. It's a tough and isolating job even if your neighborhood is full of SAHMs. I can imagine it is even more challenging if there aren't other SAHMs in the neighborhood.

Why am I a SAHM who prefers the company of working moms?

Maybe I should rethink this SAHM thing.

What do you mean?

I feel as though I have nothing in common with SAHMs. Isn't that sad? I really like the edginess to my working mom pals. They are so funny and so real. (I worked FT through pregnancy, PT with my first for 2.5 years, then took leave, and became pregnant with number 2.)

I live in Silver Spring (north, not Silver Spring proper) where most mothers work. The SAHMs I've met are so Pollyanna-like that they drive me crazy. What's the harm in talking about the downside of staying home? It's kind of therapeutic. I've offended quite a few, which technically doesn't bother me. bad, I know . . . But once I used the word hate, and this mother was trying to make apologize in front of her 3 yo child after she scolded me - IN FRONT of her child, I have to add. It was ridiculous.

I love working mothers. I think my friends who work have a nice balance. They love their children, their husbands, and their careers.

My children are fine. They're happy and social - even the baby, but I'm not the type to do crafts with my daughter. Hell, I refuse to take them to the park on a cold day. And although I've done the library story times, I will admit that those story times did drive me crazy. Half the kids were running around like chickens and the mothers seemed so oblivious.

And the play dates? They are never ending! Honestly, I think my daughter's preschool is enough of an outlet for her M-F. (My son is still too young for school.) I was scolded by a mom b/c she saw soy formula on my counter. (These breasts were beasts for 6 months! Now they deserve to rest!) She said soy made boys sterile. OK - I told her that at least my son would not be coming home with a pregnant girlfriend. harsh? I suppose . . . but I couldn't help myself. And this woman STILL wants to schedule play dates!

I feel as though SOME SAHMs are aiming for perfection (at least the ones I've met), and I'm definitely NOT there, nor do I want to be. I really like my flaws and readily admit to them. But when I do, I get weird stares.

I mean - would YOU want to friend me if you were a SAHM? probably not . . .

Now, would you meet me for happy hour after work for a good laugh? probably yes!

I can already feel the fire. So I'm sure I'll get flamed. But b/c I do like warm weather, I'll welcome heated responses, especially on this cold evening.

PP, sorry for venting but thanks for asking! I'm going to make myself a Vodka with cranberry now!

Enjoy the weekend, ladies!

You're not the only SAHM that feels this way ... I think you sound like someone I'd like to hang out with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous. Moms are different than nannnies (whether the mom works outside the home or is a SAHM) because they are all moms. Nannies are just doing a job, though hopefully care for the children, it is a job. I always chat with the nannies, and many are nice, but there is just not much to say, they are not going through the same experience of parenthood that I am. They are doing a job.

This is a generalization b/c many moms are nannies also including myself. I am happy to talk to any adult really whether I am working or not. And we go through the same things as other moms. Why do you assume they don't have children?

[Anonymous]

Vienna- tons of SAHMs regardless of age of child.. It's the poor man's McLean- there you have SAHMs and nannies since their husbands are well off- in Vienna- they bought their home low (not that expensive years ago) and now just stay at home.

[Anonymous]

I'm in Historic Hyattsville and there are tons of SAHMs. It works for a lot of us because housing is so much less expensive than in other areas, and it is quite close to the city. Love Hyattsville!

[Anonymous]

There is a mix of SAHM and working moms in McLean. Maybe 60-40% SAHM:WM. I can't speak to the SAHM with nannies since I am not one of them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I think it would be very isolating to be a SAHM and not have other SAHMs are around. It's a tough and isolating job even if your neighborhood is full of SAHMs. I can imagine it is even more challenging if there aren't other SAHMs in the neighborhood.

Why am I a SAHM who prefers the company of working moms?

Maybe I should rethink this SAHM thing.

What do you mean?

I feel as though I have nothing in common with SAHMs. Isn't that sad? I really like the edginess to my working mom pals. They are so funny and so real. (I worked FT through pregnancy, PT with my first for 2.5 years, then took leave, and became pregnant with number 2.)

I live in Silver Spring (north, not Silver Spring proper) where most mothers work. The SAHMs I've met are so Pollyanna-like that they drive me crazy. What's the harm in talking about the downside of staying home? It's kind of therapeutic. I've offended quite a few, which technically doesn't bother me. bad, I know . . . But once I used the word hate, and this mother was trying to make apologize in front of her 3 yo child after she scolded me - IN FRONT of her child, I have to add. It was ridiculous.

I love working mothers. I think my friends who work have a nice balance. They love their children, their husbands, and their careers.

My children are fine. They're happy and social - even the baby, but I'm not the type to do crafts with my daughter. Hell, I refuse to take them to the park on a cold day. And although I've done the library story times, I will admit that those story times did drive me crazy. Half the kids were running around like chickens and the mothers seemed so oblivious.

And the play dates? They are never ending! Honestly, I think my daughter's preschool is enough of an outlet for her M-F. (My son is still too young for school.) I was scolded by a mom b/c she saw soy formula on my counter. (These breasts were beasts for 6 months! Now they deserve to rest!) She said soy made boys sterile. OK - I told her that at least my son would not be coming home with a pregnant girlfriend. harsh? I suppose . . . but I couldn't help myself. And this woman STILL wants to schedule play dates!

I feel as though SOME SAHMs are aiming for perfection (at least the ones I've met), and I'm definitely NOT there, nor do I want to be. I really like my flaws and readily admit to them. But when I do, I get weird stares.

I mean - would YOU want to friend me if you were a SAHM? probably not . . .

Now, would you meet me for happy hour after work for a good laugh? probably yes!

I can already feel the fire. So I'm sure I'll get flamed. But b/c I do like warm weather, I'll welcome heated responses, especially on this cold evening.

PP, sorry for venting but thanks for asking! I'm going to make myself a Vodka with cranberry now!

Enjoy the weekend, ladies!

We would get along great. I feel the same, which is why I keep working PT to enjoy my children and still keep an edge.

I took 1.5yrs off from work, but still hung out with my work friends, still went to happy hours, still met people for lunch so when I wanted to come back part-time it was like I was never gone.

I have a few SAHM friends who are like minded, but they are not career SAH, they are planning on returning to work, a few already have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vienna- tons of SAHMs regardless of age of child.. It's the poor man's McLean- there you have SAHMs and nannies since their husbands are well off- in Vienna- they bought their home low (not that expensive years ago) and now just stay at home.

How are the public schools in Vienna? (We live in DC, and we're just beginning to look at houses in the suburbs. I've seen some beautiful homes in Vienna for great prices!)

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vienna- tons of SAHMs regardless of age of child.. It's the poor man's McLean- there you have SAHMs and nannies since their husbands are well off- in Vienna- they bought their home low (not that expensive years ago) and now just stay at home.

How are the public schools in Vienna? (We live in DC, and we're just beginning to look at houses in the suburbs. I've seen some beautiful homes in Vienna for great prices!)

Thanks!

Not the PP, but I live in Vienna, too. The schools are great. I'd try to stick with school that feed to Madison High, but if you can't, Marshall High is good, too.