Survey: Not Valued
A commenter in my “Old School Housekeeping” post said, “I wish stay-at-home-moms were more valued in today’s society.”
I read that about an hour after reading a poll from a local news station on Facebook. (Here’s the link to the poll.) At the time that I write this, 133 people replied to this question:
According to a Gallup poll stay-at-home moms are more likely to be *this* than moms who work outside the home. What is it?
Out of the 133 that replied in the time I wrote this, here are a few sampling of replies:
- depressed/crazy/co-dependent/unhappy: 39
- overweight: 19
- broke: 2
- over-protective/anti-social: 4
- rich/spoiled: 5
- happy/content: 17
- good cook/crafty/frugal: 15
69 truly negative comments, versus 32 positive comments, and about 30 comments that dealt with things like “crazy cat lady”, “lucky”, etc.
I would have assumed that someone saying “I wish stay-at-home-moms were more valued in today’s society,” was exaggerating, but looking at 3-hours worth of comments in this poll, I’d say that it is kind of spot-on.
What would your answer be…and, why?
Hallee
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Depressed/discouraged is more likely to be true not because it is depressing but because all too often stay at home moms are NOT being seen as valuable and they (we) know it. Very hard when your value is not tangible in a paycheck or work review. Then too often, when the career half of the house comes home he isn’t showing value for her “job” either. (Not our household but many.)
I really feel like half of the perception issue is in the label “stay-at-home-mom” versus homemaker/housewife/etc.
Bully rule #1: Put someone else down to cover the dissatifaction you have with your own life.
I really believe that most of those who shun being a stay at home mom secretly envy those of us who have that privledge. I cannot possibly imagine that the grass would be greener on the other side where mothers work long hours for a mediocre paycheck only to have a majority of it go to a daycare that only gives the bare minimums to thier child’s upbringing. Yeah. I’d have to go with the last two answers, especially the crafty and good cook part, because seriously, we can’t sit on the couch eating BonBons ALL day, can we?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to stay at home with my children. I proudly declared it on our first date with my now husband. He never forgot that is what I truly wanted. We had to wait 8 years until his career was steady and solid enough for him to relax and be comfortable enough to allow me to stay at home budget wise, but it was worth the wait.
There are times when it gets lonely here at home, just me and an eight month old. Since it’s winter, we arent out and about as much. But in the fall we were always out walking and talking to others. Spring cannot get here soon enough.
I wonder if maybe asking that question in another season some of the answers would change?
I went to visit my Grandmother this weekend. She told me she was sad because my daughter is the first baby in the family to not be cared for while momma worked. But at the same time she looked at me ans said, “But I know shes in good hands and you’ve wanted this so long.” It led to a discussion about how most women these days dont want to stay home. There is a “glass ceiling” some women are out to break though. Some women are more happier at work and seeing their babies part time. Part of me is sad, but having been a teacher and also worked in a daycare, it gave me a job to have those women work.
My husband sometimes says, ” i have to work”. Like what i do isnt work. If i even get to most housework! An active 8 month old puts most housework off. To some people if you dont see the paycheck, it doesnt count. It is the hardest job there is. There are no health care or retirement benefits, but the children grow up stable and loved and independent. And in the end, they will be the change we see in this world :-)
It’s all about attitude. I would say I was “blessed” and so were my children. That’s the attitude that I demanded/commanded from others. Very often (not always), you get what you give.
Fulfilled. I am fulfilled.
I am so blessed, grateful and happy to be a homemaker! I home school my children and they are such a blessing. We’ve grown closer together (than when they were in public school) and we’re all happier in our new roles. I’m so thankful for a husband who works hard and allows my frugality and homemaking desires to come true. My whole family is far better off in a smaller home with less expenditures and selfishness. Sometimes housework can be tedious, since it’s neverending, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I think as a general answer: misunderstood. There’s more to it than a lot of people think.
My answer: for the most part, I’m content. A little lonely but otherwise content. I just miss hubby being able to help, he’s busy with school and work so it’s not like he’s out of town or anything. Just busy and I miss him.