tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824836604247418948.post4020340880900398909..comments2022-11-12T10:09:40.307-05:00Comments on 4gaby: Diary of an Angry Stay-At-Home-MomSheilah Zimpelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285848420483504211noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824836604247418948.post-37583811171172325582011-04-02T17:43:28.177-04:002011-04-02T17:43:28.177-04:00You are one wonderful woman to have around. Seriou...You are one wonderful woman to have around. Seriously. It's tough being a SAHM and being a Jack-of-all-trades. We learn to juggle and work with what we have. Often it is expected of us and the "atta girls" never seem to come, but when I look at my children, I have a portion of my reward. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, in being aware of what it is we do and do well. Sometimes I think we look too much to others for our validation, when that validation should come from ourselves. Still, it's nice to hear, and would be heavenly to be paid. You hang in there and never let go of how priceless what you do is!Mary Alford-Carmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06128885998230398086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824836604247418948.post-75145959864578093422011-04-01T13:40:54.829-04:002011-04-01T13:40:54.829-04:00Janet.....
I stayed home, I raised our kids. My ...Janet.....<br /><br />I stayed home, I raised our kids. My husband, he thinks his check covers his home responsibilities. His weekends are for him and his kids to have fun. Mine are to continue the chores. Well it can only happen if I let so I'm not and he doesn't like this very much. Too bad. <br /><br />Before him and the kids I had a life, a job, money of my own, 35 years I managed. When I stayed home and those credit card things came in the mail, I put in a self-employed salary and sent it in. I kept my rating! He said why would you do that? Because what I do here is worth a lot and I'll at least protect my future.<br />Those children, well, they were not be on a rigid schedule, they did get to travel, to experiment, to explore, to grow in so many ways. They learned some manners too and respect. They know how to give freely to others even if they don't know them. We were home yes, maybe, but I was teaching them and they were learning. They know how to cook, clean, make repairs, work in the yard, care for enough animals for a zoo and more. They know what it's like to be able to do something on a spur of a moment or just do nothing because you can. They are good kids and good students. And I know even though no one else seems to know, that I was the major teacher/shaper in their lives, their early, priceless lives. <br /><br />Their father, he did baths and stories and weekend fun. I did the chores so he could have "his time" with the kids. Now I wish someone would have covered for me so I could have had some chore free time with them too! Instead the chores were always waiting, whispering, calling, screaming, so I was never really free of them. <br /><br />And now I know why I was not given a salary for that job because it is priceless. Raising a good child is priceless.<br /><br />The day our dyslexic child was accepted into the gifted classes in 2nd grade my husband called to check in from an out of town business trip. I told him the good news. He said nothing except good for the kid. I said how about saying something for me. Why he asked? He said, "It's not like you've had anything to do with their education or abilities." And at that point I went silent and my heart fell as I thought of the hours and things I had done to keep this child positive and learning and growing. And yet?<br /><br />I've stretched our money, I learned to lay the tile, the laminate, to make all kinds of repairs inside and out to continue to have a safe and good home. To learn to sew and put in zippers and snaps. I've done without but never grumbled. I've spent years in meetings with teachers, administrators, trying to get the needs met for these children. Plus the weekly speech lessons, the whole thing. He's made 2 meetings in 14 years. He's never given up his plans for them or us.<br /><br />And yes I get reminded of how I spend his money and don't earn any. Of how it must be nice to stay home all day and do nothing! I cook from scratch, I shop the sales for food. I learned to groom the standard poodle, to replace the window motors in the car doors.<br /><br />I also work part time, at one time I worked 3 part time jobs and still heard the same. I wonder what goes on in his head? Why he can't see what I do for our family? The sacrifices I make for our family? Are there magic glasses he needs? When did he become the adversary?<br /><br />I've been trying to return to "real" work and send out tons of resumes. To receive nothing in return. I did not get stupider over these years, I did keep up my skills, and yet I'm not even worth a response!<br /><br />Still I remember, the job I've had the past 14+ years, priceless. Maybe I'll put that on the next cover letter?Farmer's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14751562879379341560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824836604247418948.post-64783485947597794102011-03-20T10:13:27.734-04:002011-03-20T10:13:27.734-04:00I agree. We went into a gazillion dollars of debt ...I agree. We went into a gazillion dollars of debt for our choice, so it's a huge sacrifice in many ways, all the way around. That should be acknowledged. It was the right choice, but it has far-reaching ramifications. No price tag on love, huh?Sheilah Zimpelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02285848420483504211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824836604247418948.post-69451353660341167452011-03-19T23:17:56.650-04:002011-03-19T23:17:56.650-04:00Have you ever had the "Oh you're out toni...Have you ever had the "Oh you're out tonight, where are the kids?" Like the only one who could possibly do the job is the mom only. But what rankles me is when we start the steps into re-entering the work force. The questions at interviews, "Why did you decide to stay at home and care for your children?" What are they looking for in that question? One friend actually had someone ask in an interview "what would you do if you got pregnant again?" Would they ask a man "What would you do if you had more children?" Oh well. It's a mixed bag, but I'm proud of the decision that I made to stay home, at least they can't take that away from me!Mary Alford-Carmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06128885998230398086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824836604247418948.post-79127787799362010412011-03-18T21:37:11.285-04:002011-03-18T21:37:11.285-04:00It used to royally peeve me (and Stephen) would sa...It used to royally peeve me (and Stephen) would say..."must be nice!" about me staying home...ummmm they were all making the same thing! Difference... they had new cars and boats in their driveways and we didn't! But you know what? IT WAS NICE!!! Another peeve of mine is when someone talks about a daddy babysitting..they are not babysitters they are fathers!!!!!!! Now, how did you press those buttons tonight?! lolBeverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15502950142316640988noreply@blogger.com