“I worked as an attorney before and received accolades for my work.
Our society seems to default to dismissing the incredible contribution SAHMs make.”
Here are the eye-opening results:
1.
Kara McCloud
2.
S_uffel
3.
You get completely taken for granted by everyone in your life and have no resources of your own."
sprivey
4.
My kids are 4 and 1, so they need constant eyes on them.
dellarock
“Yes.The mess.
I put the kids in their room or playroom alone and just get what I can get done.
A Roomba has been my best investment.
While I’m playing with the kids, the robot can clean different rooms in the house.
Plus, it’s helped me keep things off the floor.
toomanykidsnotenoughtime
5.
“I love being a stay-at-home mom!
It’s exhausting at times but incredible.
I also homeschool them.
“I constantly feel unappreciated and lonely.
I am forever cleaning up after people and looking after people, but who’s looking after me?
I don’t get any of that.”
famousturtle65
“The constant mental load can be exhausting.
Theres no clocking in and out; its 24/7!
It can be difficult to make yourself a priority.”
MessieB
7.
“I actually love being home with my little ones!
I was raised by a single mom who missed every big moment because she was always at work.
I have more memories of daycares and babysitters than I do of my own mother.
It has been so healing to be in the present moment for my children that I needed growing up.
Even when my toddlers are wild, Im still grateful.”
AL
8.
“I recently became a stay-at-home mom in September after being a preschool teacher for eight years.
I left due to issues with the administration that caused far more stress than my body could handle.
dmcrowe12
9.
“I worked as an attorney before becoming a stay-at-home mom.
As an attorney, I received respect and accolades for the work that I did.
I discovered that being a stay-at-home mom was more work, harder work, and longer hours.
However, I received very little respect and appreciation for these efforts.
Our society seems to default to dismissing the incredible contribution SAHMs make.”
Their efforts should be respected more than a profession that makes money off the conflicts of others.”
41, California
10.
“I have three young children at home, and ‘spontaneity’ is not in my vocabulary.
Dont call last minute to see if I can ‘go out’ unless you have a babysitter with you.
I love being home with my kids, but its a 24/7 job.
AriEPow
11.
It has been so cool to watch my child grow and see the changes.
However, after month seven of being home with my first child, I really miss work.
I miss being the breadwinner.
But balance is good for our family.”
Anonymously Anonymous
12.
“I was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years.
I loved every moment of raising my four oldest (living) children, who are 18 months apart.
We homeschooled and spent hours around the table engrossed in learning.
I taught them how to clean, cook, etc.
We did service projects, played sports, and explored woods, museums, galleries, and historic places.
I worked nights and weekends to make ends meet.
Eventually we had a surprise baby.
Then my husband got a better job making almost three times the income.
So he traded me and the kids in for a younger woman and a new baby.”
“We got left behind to make ends meet on a single-mom budget cobbled together out of three jobs.
We lived really small, but we love each other.
The big kids are now grown and have life skills, jobs, and enormous compassion and respect.
It might just end up being yourself.
49, Southeast, USA
13.
“It’s not a luxury.
I sacrificed my full-time income because I want my priorities to be reflected in how I spend my time.
Some mothers, however, have no choice because they make too little to even cover daycare costs.”
30, USA
14.
“It is so isolating.
you’re free to have playdates and mom friends, but its still so lonely.
Having so many things to do around the house prevents you from having a busy social life.
It can be depressing.”
31, Canada
15.
“I am more than ‘just’ a stay-at-home mom.
I add a lot of value to the household even though I dont bring in an income.
31, Iowa
16.
My job from 9 to 5 is them.
My second job is everything else for the house.
So my partner also needs to get this second job and put away some dishes!”
32, Canada
17.
But you always know it means that if things go wrong divorce, serious injury, death, etc.
32, Maryland
18.
“First, a disclaimer that I have more privilege than so many folks.
Kids school needs volunteers?
Grandpa in the hospital?
Im making a snack run and stocking the room.
My work is constant, unpaid, and sometimes hard to see.
But it does fill a lot of gaps.”
34, North Carolina
19.
“The loss of self is real.
34, Illinois
20.
At work, I was naturally defined by my job.
In college, I was defined by my major.
In grade school, I was defined by my extracurriculars.
33, USA
21.
“It can be really lonely.
We only just get by with my husbands wage.”
jennifers4eb4b7bed
22.
“Being a stay-at-home mom is the hardest relationship dynamic to have.
37, USA
23.
I feel so guilty that I want time away from mine.”
33, UK
And finally…
24.
I gave up a lucrative career to be a stay-at-home mom.
I have two kids (3 and 2) and a third on the way.
Family members think I wasted my potential.”
Why would I give up this rare opportunity?”
34, Australia
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
