I see the following terms daily:
- SAHM – stay at home mom
- WAHM – work at home mom
What’s the deal here? Every mom is a WAHM! Those of who you work outside the home, work from home (as your career), or are just “plain” home (raising your family) are all WAHM’s. There is no such thing as a SAHM – this term just doesn’t give moms enough credit.
Here is a partial list of the jobs I hold down everyday:
- child care specialist
- chef
- chauffeur
- housekeeper
- laundress
- accountant
- executive secretary
- travel agent
- blogger
- personal shopper
- psychologist
- tutor
- event planner
- computer technician
- photographer
- videographer
- family historian
- media specialist
- gardener
- lawncare specialist
- ms. fix-it handyperson
- storyteller
Funny, people usually only do one of the above as a full-time job. Maybe they should refer to themselves as “SAWW’s” – stay at work workers 
.
How many hats do you wear?
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Neena – too true. Since quitting my regular office job in August 2006, I’ve been working various freelance jobs. But since the birth of my daughter 2 1/2 months ago (and even during the summer) I wasn’t working the freelance jobs as much, but focusing on taking care of our 5 year old son and getting/trying to keep the house in order. It’s all work whether you’re getting paid for it by someone else or not. I keep having to stress that point to my husband and even other people I meet. This same topic happens to my on my list of potential topics for my own blog.
Donna,
You hit the nail on the head, “it’s all work whether you’re getting paid for it by someone else or not.” And truly, it is hard to do so much in a 24 hour period.
I love the “stay at work workers” line…so funny. Yes, but true.
Thanks Jennifer. I am glad you agree!
Hi Neena,
I like your blog. Now only i know what does SAHM stands for. Thanks.
WOW!! Thats quite the list.. But for some WAHM that are looking to make some money and do something they have always dreamed, they can check out this great contest Mirassou winery is holding, where they will award one budding female entrepreneur with $50,000 and a a highly trained professional team to help kick start the buisness. check out http://www.mirassou.com/women_in_business/dreams.asp
to see all the rules. I work with Mirassou and I think this is something interesting to pass on to other WAHM’s…
I have disliked those terms for quite some time myself. I have often wondered if we can’t come up with some other term and make it stick. Maybe SAWW is it…but I think others would take liberties with it and make it negative like sawing something off.
Most moms I know who fall in the SAHM category don’t stay at home much like you mention above.
I guess I would fall in the WAHM category because I work from a home office so I do most of what you mention above in addition to trying to start a high-tech company. But to be forthright, my kids go to care outside of the home.
Here’s a man’s perspective. I only have the utmost respect for SAHM. My mom is one, and I know what you’re talking about Neena.
It’s a full time job to the power of 10!
However, society has the tendency to overlook the contributions of SAHM; not from me. So 3 cheers for SAHM.
1 x Hip, hip, horray!
2 x Hip, hip, horray!
3 x Hip, hip, horray!
hey neena, what you said is so true! I always admire women bcos to me they are the truly multi-talented multi-tasking wonders that God created for humanity! I share your emotions and thoughts bcos I am like this now as a full-time home care-giver to my wife who is a stroke survivor! Welcome to the club!
Great post! LOL It is amazing how many hats we manage to wear all day very day. Thanks for submitting this to the Carnival of SAHMs!
Hi there! I’m here via the SAHM Carnival…
I love it when people tell me that it must be nice to not have to work! What!? Completely nuts, really, I think I work more around here than I ever have out in the “workforce”! Sheesh a moley!!
bokjae,
Yes, it is true that all stay at home parents are multi taskers. Your job as caregiver is even more difficult. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Summer and jenny-up the hill,
I am glad you agree. And my retort is usually, “Staying home with the kids is great – I sit on the couch, read, and eat bonbon’s all day!” Of course, this is accompanied by a big roll of the eyes and a shake of the head.
Neena,
I love this post. The words ring so true, and how many days are there just not enough hours.
stumbled, zoomed
My least favorite WAHM job: Dog Butler. Between 2 dogs and 2 kids, it seems that I can never write for more than 10 minutes before I hear Mommm!!! or the high pitched yelp that signals that someone needs to go out, or in.
Heather,
I think every day turns out to be too short – and thanks for the attention!
Living By Learning,
My children have been begging for a dog, and as much as I would love a puppy, I still say no. A dog is really as much work as another child.
I feel like most stay at home moms can’t even begin to count how many different hats they wear because they are too busy changing them to keep up. With two little boys, a couple of jobs I frequently find myself doing are referee and coach. Thanks for pointing out all that we do in a day!
2monkees,
You bring up 2 jobs that should absolutely be on my list – referee and coach. As my kids get older refereeing and peace relations is where I spend a good amount of my time!
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