Well I have done both. I worked for the first 3 years or so, of Emma's life, and it was NOT easy! I still don't know how all the single parents, or working parents of multiple children do it! Hats of to THEM...seriously! And for so many different reasons, we decided that I should not continue my J.O.B. Dental, to be exact...So I can thoroughly appreciate, and relate to, every word on both of these lists!
(*You would find it surprising how many people will actually tell you these things to your face*)
10 Things Never to Say to a Working Mom:
1. It must be hard missing all those special moments every day.
2. I suppose it's smart that you're working. You know, in case your husband leaves you some day.
3. I'm surprised you went back to work. Your husband seems so successful.
4. It's cute when they call your nanny "Mama."
5. I just love my kids too much to leave them during the day.
6. Did you see Dateline? The one with the hidden camera in the day care?
7. I could never let someone else raise my children. But that's just me!
8. I hated my mom because she was never home after school like everyone else's mom.
9. You must feel so guilty.
10. I wish I were as laid-back as you and could just let the housework go.
10 Things Never To Say to a Stay-at-Home Mom:
1. When the kids are older, do you think you'll get a real job?
2. How June Cleaver of you!
3. Oh, so you don't work?
4. Since you have extra time on your hands, could you whip up a few dozen brownies for the bake sale tomorrow?
5. All day with your kids? I can't even imagine.
6. I'm jealous. I wish my husband were rich so I wouldn't have to work either.
7. What do you do all day, anyway?
8. I'm sure you're not the only one who's ever wasted money on a college degree.
9. That explains why your son is so clingy!
10. Weird. I assumed your house would be super clean
For those of you fellow Mommies out there, I am sure that you can appreciate one, or both, of these lists as well! Regardless of your current situation, or status, you no doubt have had that moment where you think to yourself "Have I lost my own identity?"
Also, don't you find it strange how most people who say these things either A) have NO idea what they are talking about, since they have never been in your situation, or B) are completely ignorant and judgmental? Which I have already ranted about in a previous post, so I won't go there again!
2. How June Cleaver of you!
3. Oh, so you don't work?
4. Since you have extra time on your hands, could you whip up a few dozen brownies for the bake sale tomorrow?
5. All day with your kids? I can't even imagine.
6. I'm jealous. I wish my husband were rich so I wouldn't have to work either.
7. What do you do all day, anyway?
8. I'm sure you're not the only one who's ever wasted money on a college degree.
9. That explains why your son is so clingy!
10. Weird. I assumed your house would be super clean
Also, don't you find it strange how most people who say these things either A) have NO idea what they are talking about, since they have never been in your situation, or B) are completely ignorant and judgmental? Which I have already ranted about in a previous post, so I won't go there again!
I thought that I would share these findings with you, so that you would hopefully get a laugh (or a little frustration) out of them like I did!
LOVE this. I am actually working on a post similar to this! And you just reminded me I need to finish it. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway - Yes... I have found that people WITHOUT kids are the most judgmental (understandably so), but they're also the ones that try to tell me how to parent. Weird, right? I get these lines all of the time. The one I get the most is "It must be nice not have to work and just hang out with your kid all day!" Hmm... are you being sarcastic?? Being a FULL TIME Mom is SO HARD! I have worked full time since I was a teenager and I can say that being at home with my son is the hardest thing I've ever done. But of course, the most rewarding.
Ah! Okay, sorry about my rant. :)
I like these, I get some of these comments from friends without kids. I don't get too upset because Its not fair of me to expect them to understand when its not possible unless you have kids. Sometimes I do get snappy about it though, normally that only happens when I have had a long day AT WORK taking care of my kids and doing school work. My opinion is that working outside the home is easier, you get 15 min breaks, a lunch, etc at home you get none of that. Either way its a sacrifice to stay home or go to work. Good post!
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