St. Albans and working moms

[Anonymous]

I am an STA mom. I work because I find it really rewarding, which is lucky (some people need to work at things they enjoy less, and they have all my respect) , and I am also glad that what I earn allows me to pay for things I value, such as my children’s education. I have friends at STA who are working women, others are stay at home moms, others work part time or volunteer. These are their choices and I certainly do not judge them. There are many reasons why women do what they do, and they should be allowed to choose what is good for them, including child care arrangements. I have met so many interesting women among all these groups, and I am grateful that I became friends with a lot of them. With some others, I have less in common, so be it, it happens everywhere. Reading some of the of the judgments and generalizations in this thread makes me wonder as to how many are actually parents at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an STA mom. I work because I find it really rewarding, which is lucky (some people need to work at things they enjoy less, and they have all my respect) , and I am also glad that what I earn allows me to pay for things I value, such as my children’s education. I have friends at STA who are working women, others are stay at home moms, others work part time or volunteer. These are their choices and I certainly do not judge them. There are many reasons why women do what they do, and they should be allowed to choose what is good for them, including child care arrangements. I have met so many interesting women among all these groups, and I am grateful that I became friends with a lot of them. With some others, I have less in common, so be it, it happens everywhere. Reading some of the of the judgments and generalizations in this thread makes me wonder as to how many are actually parents at the school.

This is a pretty accurate description of STA mothers. As a working mom, I often feel like I'm in the minority. I have never felt judged by others because of my career. In general, I probably relate best to other moms who work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have kids at St. Albans but I will tell you it surprises me how many people make assumptions about women based on whether they have a traditional office or easy to spot job or not. I don’t work in a traditional field, I am an artist and writer and stayed home for a number of years when my three children were small. I also volunteer often and have a number of personal interests that I actively pursue but you wouldn’t know all this about me if you just met me at a school parent coffee.I am fortunate to be able to be more interesting than someone who has a 9-6 job they slog through all week. Happy for those of you who don’t and are able to do something you enjoy, whether in an office or not!
Just don’t make assumptions about women who you really don’t know at all. They may have a lot more going on then they tell you about, since you aren’t actually friends.

NP here. Sorry, I'm one of those people slogging it out in a 9-6 job, and the working women I know are on average much more "interesting" than women who opted not to work, simply because they have been building a career for decades (some having taken a few years off to SAH), are learning new things, being challenged all the time, and are usually pretty intellectually engaged.

“Happy for those of you who don’t and are able to do something you enjoy, whether in an office or not!” this is the line that is relevant. The point is that we should not make assumptions about any woman-the OP made assumptions about “non-working” moms. Obviously women can be interesting via numerous situations and experiences, whether they work in an office or not. Working in a paying job you love is great but not everyone has that opportunity, or wants it if they do. The point is that by assuming you are more interesting or intellectually engaged just because you work in an office is silly and small minded. It truly depends on the person and their unique situation. Few paying jobs are not repetitive in nature, and few are constantly intellectually stimulating.

[Anonymous]

US parent here. I don't know any fellow moms who DON'T work.

More likely that many took a few years off when their kids were babies and maybe through first few years at Beauvoir, but the fellow parents I know all went back to developing their careers once their DC's were 7-8 ish.

Now, granted, 99% will stay away from any kind of cabinet level, DOJ, high level FBI, CIA role given current Admin ., but most, if not all will always be fielding offers for partner at various law firms, seats on multiple boards, professorships, Brookings, consultancy work, etc....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:US parent here. I don't know any fellow moms who DON'T work.

More likely that many took a few years off when their kids were babies and maybe through first few years at Beauvoir, but the fellow parents I know all went back to developing their careers once their DC's were 7-8 ish.

Now, granted, 99% will stay away from any kind of cabinet level, DOJ, high level FBI, CIA role given current Admin ., but most, if not all will always be fielding offers for partner at various law firms, seats on multiple boards, professorships, Brookings, consultancy work, etc....

I’m wondering if you really are a parent at St. Albans because this is not a true statement. We have two sons at STA and half of the moms do not work in both grades. It does not mean that they never worked but they currently are not working now by choice. Many had lucrative successful careers for 20 plus years and now are retired. Nonetheless your statement is incorrect.