"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001) American writer and aviator.
One of the most difficult things about being a housewife and mother (otherwise known as a 'Stay-at-home-Mum) is that there appears to be a perception that staying at home is the same as 'having a day off work' - except that it happens every day.
Now I have been a 'Stay-at-home-Mum' for nearly 22 years and I wouldn't swop it for the world. I just wish sometimes that I could get paid for it and have 2 days off per week, like everyone else.
The joys have been seeing my children through every moment good and bad, even to being able to take the time right now to 'home-school' Sarah through her difficult patch. I have loved the social aspects of Mother's groups, Kindy groups and yes I do have some 'ME' time during the day . . .
But . . . from the moment I wake up in the morning and get up to feed the dog, the puppy, make the breakfast, the lunches, do the dishes, the washing, the cleaning, the school drop off, the accounts, the appointments, the food, the school pick-up, the homework, the dishes, the tidying up, the counselling, the tidying up, the prayers, the goodnights and falling into bed each night - I am on duty.
My job is 24/7 - 365 days per year . . . and funny I feel as though I am the most blessed person in the world. I wouldn't swop my job for anyone else's. I love what I do.
Could someone just pay me something for it - other than just a compliment???
Or maybe, they already do - and the financial reward is not what is important. Rather it is the happy, successful, joyful family that I have and the time that I have to write this post.
So to all Mothers and Housewives I say - congratulations - you are the best workers in the world.
3 comments:
Oh my darling you are so right, it is the most wonderful job in the world, but certainly one of the hardest. We get up first, we go to bed last and the time in between doesn't belong to us. We become chief cook and bottle washer, among all the other things. Like you I would never change it and the joy is seeing your children grow up to be responsible, loving, hard working and a mother or father themselves. Try and take time to smell the roses, I know it is not easy. So glad you will have a few days away at the end of August, it recharges the batteries. Hmmm, think I might find somewhere to go by myself as well. Ha Ha fat chance of that.
Just stopping in to say hi Beverly, I'm going to have to come back to read your blog. I'm wiped tonight and my move is happening this weekend. I also have to work an early morning shift Friday and Saturday so it's going to be crazy making!
Have a good weekend, I'll have my internet back up and running on the 3rd... I hope!
Ahh ... I don't think the JOY of all that is enough, really. Oh, on my good days, I do, but really, I want MONEY. And, RESPECT. And, LONG SERVICE LEAVE.
But, I do like the Flexibility and the Opportunity of Staying Home (even when there's no kids staying home with me). I wouldn't have swapped this time for anything (but regular Long Service Leave would have been good). :)
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