Kids as an "excuse" to stay home
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| Fri, 08-15-2008 - 2:16pm |
No one would likely ever admit to this...but what percentage of women who stay at home, and have no plans to ever return to the work force, or to do more than work PT...stay home because of the kids, but also for the major fact that they simply don't want to work?
I don't love my job every second, and there's definitely jobs out there that I don't think I could get out of bed for every day. But the idea of never working again, and being completely dependent on my spouse...kind of blows my mind. I realize not everyone's of the same ilk, and one's not better than the other.
I do wonder how many of the women who go on and on about how great it is to be home with the kids, are primarily just relieved to not have to punch the clock every day in addition to being mom.

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Well said.
PumpkinAngel
I guess I agree with pnj that *productivity* is what defines it for me.
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Ducky
Sometimes they are the glue that holds a community together. They look in and visit elder neighbors and make sure they have a ride or take them to appointments. They talk on the phone every day for several hours during the months a friend is going through a divorce or mourning. They bake an "extra" lasagna and take it to a neighbor who recently had a baby. They follow up when the fourth person in a walking group misses a day or three in a row. They write letters to the editor about local issues. They go to Sue's house when she lost her mother and hug her for an hour and help her figure out the logistics of going home to a funeral. They match a family looking for a summer babysitter with the teen home from college looking for a job. They pick up extra groceries and laundry detergent for the harried parent whose spouse is on a business trip and whose three children have been puking the past four days. They let the neighborhood know when Mr. Smith is home from his chemo. They organize the spring neighborhood potluck or the neighborhood 4th of July bicycle parade. They are home when Johnny gets off the bus and discovers his father isn't home yet and panics realizing he was supposed to stay at school and go to chess club - they take Johnny to chess club.
They might not earn money and might not volunteer boatloads of time. However, they are there when they are needed and offer help and kindness and love.
Beautiful post!
Robin
< In better economic times, there are more SAHPs.
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Fair enough.
I guess I don't see why someone has to "merit" staying home anymore than I can understand why someone has to "justify" working outside the home.
In fact, with all this talk of justification and merit, I am beginning to think this debate is taking on theological overtones!
I wouldn't consider your sister
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