Saturday, August 04, 2012

Home work

Speaking to someone recently about having a job and kids etc and they said "It's good for your kids to see you working now. "

This is what I wish I had said in response, looking them straight in the eye, cool, calm and clear:

'My kids have been watching me work all their lives.'


What the fuck do people think being at home looking after children, a home and managing a family is, if not work? Isn't it the most important work? Just because it does not attract a salary, does not mean its not good, hard work. Its a pity that it is not held higher in our cultural esteem. All of us would benefit in health, happiness and community if it was.

End of rant.

9 comments:

Lila said...

The worst thing is the crappy idea that staying at home is not working is so ingrained now that I even get down on myself for "not working" now I'm a stay at home mum. I get so furious when I catch myself thinking 'well I don't work so I'm not contributing'.
It would be great if we could all just let each other do what's right for our families without judgement.

gemma @ loz and dinny said...

Yep. Staying at home is all oprah reruns and cups of tea! I love my work. I love the job i do... It's just that little bit lonelier without you to meet up with at the figurative water cooler xxx

ally said...

hear hear.
x

Fer said...

ditto.

:-)

Tracey@bountifully said...

I hear you, gee I wish the other person had a chance to hear you too!

raining sheep said...

Well, just lost my first comment...I don't like Blogger right now! I laughed at your post, so funny and so true. I used to be a stay at home mom; people thought I did nothing and ate bonbons all day!

chrisartist said...

I totally agree.
I think it is also quite sad to see and hear the way people treat a stay at home Dad. Must be so hard to cop these comments when they are often isolated.
I look back on the years when I was at home with our boys as the richest years of my life- even though I was poor!
Back in my day, when filling in forms, we were expected to write "housewife". I always refused. Opting for homemaker.
Made me feel better anyway!
Keep the rage!
Chris

Mrs Smith said...

Me too. I never have the wit to rebuff in the moment.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Well ranted !
And it's not just young mothers , it's also women in their fifties who look after elderly parents .
Without housewives the world would be a bleak place .