Lurker with a Q

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Lurker with a Q
1
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 11:06am
Hi I'm a sahm and a housewife, my kids are both in primary school. We live in a small town, and lately, I think because I'm sensitive to it, my friends (whom most work p/t or full time) have started asking me "what do you do ALL day?". And to be truthful I do alot. I do my flylady and work out in the mornings, run errands before lunch, catch dr phil or oprah while folding laundry, quilt, crochet, take care of my family's needs, plan lessons for sunday school (I teach), do the books for my dh's company etc..... I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. But I also have rhuematiod arthritis, so some days I'm really fatigued and sleep and take care of myself because I have to. Its hurting my feelings in a way, because of the way they are saying it. I need some good comebacks or a way to explain I'm a mom and a wife and I love it, that is what I do. And you know, Maria Shriver was on oprah a while back, and she said all she was going to say when people asked her what she does is say "I'm a mom", and wanted everyone who is a mom to start a movement and say only that! Because isn't that enough? ARGH!! Why do people place so much value on what you do outside of the home, rather than inside!

Thanks for letting me vent.

Take care everyone,

Holly

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 11:30am
I would tell them exactly what you just told us. Tell them what you do during the day. Ask them also how would they feel if they were in your shoes and you were asking them what THEY do all day. They'd find it insulting. Many people think that SAHM's have it made, because they don't have dedlines given to them from their bosses, or they are sitting at a desk with mile high paper work to get through by the end of the day. The truth is, i believe that SAHM's have the toughest jobs. raising a kid isn't easy, eventhough they are in school during the day, there are other things to do to keep you plenty busy. I know all about rhuematiod arthritis both of my parents have it. If they don't think you need the R & R everyonce in a while because of it, tell them to do some research on the Internet and find all about how it controls your life. hope that helps a little

~Amanda~