SAH parenting- "job" or not?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
SAH parenting- "job" or not?
978
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 9:29am

SAH parenting- "job" or not?



  • Yes- it's a job (I'm a SAHM/D)
  • No- it's not a job (I'm a SAHM/D)
  • Yes- it's a job (I'm a WOHM/D)
  • No- it's not a job (I'm a WOHM/D)
  • Obligatory 'Other'


You will be able to change your vote.


Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:16pm

***Even with small children, they can play while you fold clothes.***

LOL! ;) Sure- with some kids. But with mine, they have to be *right* there unfolding as I fold. ;) They won't play anywhere else and they want to do *exactly* what I'm doing- not just sort socks or something... ;)

***You have the opportunity to get things done while they're napping***

Mine don't nap long or at the same time.

***playing***

If they play well by themselves for any length of time.

***or just sitting in the high chair eating cheerios.***

Not if you need to do things in another room and can't lug the high chair (or chairs) along with you.

***I managed to clean my house while taking care of my kids with 40 fewer hours at home. How in the world having 40 more, which would have made a lot easier, would make it a job is beyond me.***

So if you got employment elsewhere that was easier for you, it wouldn't be a job, because it was easier?

***If I spent every single moment they were awake just staring at them I'd still gain 15 hours a week when they were sleeping.***

As in naptime? See- mine don't nap at the same time anymore. Every now and then they'll overlap by maybe 20min. but that's a Really Good Day LOL! ;)

***Life has gotten so much more hectic now that my kids are school aged. I swear, we're never home. It's gymnastics on Monday, cheer practice on Tuesday, music lessons on Wednesday and PTA and Brownies on Thursday. Give me two babies and a full time job any day. Two babies and no job would be even better (except then I'd be bored and that wouldn't be good).***

Where on earth do you fit in any family time with all those activities? (Honestly curious- not trying to offend).

Wytchy

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:23pm
LOL about folding clothes.... I never even try with kids in the mix anymore. When dd is older it will work, but she's 2 (or will be on Thursday!) and still loves to unfold and toss back in the basket...
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:27pm

Where due I tithe to the Church of TiVo evangelists?

I'm in. (we have three TiVos. Had four. Gave my parents one.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:28pm
A little OT .. do you (or anyone here) ever watch Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs? I love it! Really gives you insight into the dirtiest jobs in the world.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:29pm
I like that show. :) Totally totally OT, there was another show, and I can't remember the name darnit, where a guy would live with a family or a tribe in some weird culture for a month. He'd go through the rituals and everything... it was neat.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-11-2005
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:38pm

>>***You have the opportunity to get things done while they're napping***

Mine don't nap long or at the same time. <<
how old are yours sahm2...1 and 2? and they don't nap? you poor thing.....but kbmamm did reaffirm my point that sahms never get breaks ;0P. i don't have babies anymore but even when my then babies did nap, i couldn't take a break. that's when i caught up laundry, cleaned the house or planned dinners.

>>So if you got employment elsewhere that was easier for you, it wouldn't be a job, because it was easier? <<
bwahhh! good one.

>>Where on earth do you fit in any family time with all those activities? (Honestly curious- not trying to offend).<<
i can't imagine either. my three are in two weekly activities and one of those extras is a nonnegotiable religious ed. one side i do sympathize with some wohms on is where they do find time to work, shuffle from here to there for kids activities on top of many other tasks, errands.


Avatar for myshkamouse
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:41pm

Clearly its not a "job" in the traditional sense but I believe its very hard work when the kids are young. Its work in that it can take all your time, energy, resources, etc.
Caring for someone *else's* kids, like our live in nanny, is a job.

I stayed at a colleagues home last week when I was in Dallas on business. His wife seems to be the quintesential SAMM, "homemaker." Its what she does. And her house showed it (her kids are teenagers so she has lots of time to work on the house). I thought of her when I read this poll. I know she wouldnt describe what she does as a job, its work, but not a job...

MM

Avatar for myshkamouse
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:44pm
SAHP's share their influence as soon as kids go to school. Why would you *want* to be the sole influence on your kids? You can't be....and its not healthy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:54pm

Oh crap! I know the name of that show .. it's on the tip of my tongue!

(its still on ... my brother has it TiVo'ed)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:56pm

Pages