There are some prejudices about the day of a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) being easy. Yoga pants! Naps!! Playgrounds!!! While some days are easy, other days are so hard you feel like quitting. As a lover of literature and of good parents, I often think what would Harper Lee's Atticus Finch do (or say)? (Well, at... Continue Reading →
Mommy guilt: what can we do about it?
Just because something feels bad and unpleasant, e.g. guilt, doesn't mean it isn't good. Is there such a thing as good guilt? It turns out the answer is yes. According to Dr. Tracy Cassels of Evolutionary Parenting, "...'mommy guilt' is key for parenting – you learn from it and it can make you a better... Continue Reading →
Mommy guilt: who has it worse, stay at home or working moms?
There's one thing that seems to unite all mothers whether they're young or old, black or white, employed or unemployed. Guilt. I don't know about you, but it's rare when I feel like I'm enough - as a mom, as a person. I've chosen to quit my career to be at home with my children.... Continue Reading →
Mommy guilt: what is it?
"Hey hon, can you rub out my chest tar?" I beg my husband. The request is made on a monthly basis. His healing "Punjab (Annie 1983) hands", as I refer to them, magically massage my chest and all my worries away. Maybe Touch is a love language of mine after all. (Side note: A childhood without a... Continue Reading →
10 reasons being a working mom is difficult
The mommy wars continue...Thanks for joining in on the discussion. In the previous post, we talked about the spats between stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) and working moms. The crux of the argument seems to be who has it harder or worse? I've seen it too often: an unhappy woman suddenly attack an unsuspecting woman in a... Continue Reading →
15 reasons being a stay-at-home mom is difficult
Who has it harder or worse? Stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) or working moms? The mommy wars rage on between SAHMs and working moms. There's too much girl-on-girl crime. In my personal experience, I've seen a barrage of insults, a blitzkrieg of belligerence. And not just from these two embattled groups. Some women, who aren't parents, judge... Continue Reading →
Being a working mom or dad: what to say to critics
If you're a working mom or dad, you're used to the occasional obnoxious comment. You've been at the receiving end of hurtful comments (and not just from strangers). "It's too bad you can't make it work and stay at home with your family." "Your children deserve their mother (or father)." "At least you're not letting someone... Continue Reading →
Stay-at-home mom or dad: damned if you don’t
Welcome back kings and queens of the damned! Whether you're a stay-at-home parent or a working parent, we're all damned no matter what. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. But how come? It seems like we're never doing enough by our own standards or by someone else's. Damn it, we can't win, can... Continue Reading →
Being a stay-at-home mom or dad: what to say to critics
If you're a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) or a stay-at-home dad (SAHD), you're accustomed to the occasional rude comment. I've been at the receiving end of hurtful comments (and not just from strangers). "If I were home all day, I'd be sooooo bored." "I'd go crazy if I were you." "When are you going back to... Continue Reading →
Stay-at-home mom or dad: damned if you do
Whenever someone asks me, "What do you do for a living?" at weddings, parties, reunions, etc. I cringe a little inside. Someone's asking me that damn question again. Recently I was at the gynecologist and the receptionist greeted me with: "Hello. Are you currently employed?" Is there anything worse than going to the gynecologist? Oh... Continue Reading →