Dear Stay-at-home Mum,
We know how hard it can get. We know that it is a 24-hour job. And we know that most people don’t appreciate that. But we do.
There are many terms for it. Housewife, domestic engineer and good old fashioned stay at home mum. We have our own term for it – Supermum.
The decision to become stay-at-home mums is one of the bravest a woman can make. It is a sacrifice and a dedication. For that period of your life, it is your title, it’s what you do. But we understand that it’s not who you are.
At one point or another, most Stay-at-home Mums hear that too common comment
“It’s not like you have a job and you have to go into the office!”
But we understand that you have the most difficult job, that of raising children. You have to be a
- – Teacher
- – Nurse
- – Doctor
- – Chef
- – Driver
- – Tailor
- – Inventor
- – Diplomat
- – Judge
- – Lifeguard
- – Personal shopper
- – Secretary
- – Event organizer
- – Engineer
- – Accountant
- – Worrier
- – Sympathizer
- – And shoulder to cry on – to name a few!
What so many people don’t understand is that while you don’t have a 9-5 job, your job never ends. People can switch their phones off and not answer work calls or emails, but you can’t switch your kids off. Although if there was such a switch it might be used occasionally!
We appreciate that you are always on alert. Who else can see a flu coming a mile away from a simple sneeze? We appreciate that your patience is endless. How many times can a person read Goodnight Moon and still stay sane?
Your self-worth and self-esteem might take a beating every now and then when you look around and see other mums working. You might question your decision and wonder what it might be like on the other side – but remember that what you are doing is what a village would normally have to do! There is a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and in this day and age, you are that village!
We know that sometimes you might lose sight of yourself. That you are harder on yourself than anyone else. That you have to fight with your guilt constantly, that you question yourself endlessly. We know of the million and one tasks that you sort through as you ensure everyone else’s life is flowing smoothly. We know that you make it look so much easier than it really is.
Yours is a thankless job, but we want to thank you. And next time someone asks you the question “What do you do?”
Hold your head high, smile softly and answer, “I am a mum.” Let’s face it, it’s not like you get to stay at home all that much with all the running around you have to do!
Thank you to all the amazing Stay-At-Home Mums, from Team Mumzworld <3
