Nannette:As a SAHM of 2 grown "kids," I have often been faced with statements sounding a lot like "Motherhood isn't a career" or the more common and more subtle, "Oh, she's JUST staying at home." I have always responded enthusiastically with something that shuts them up instantly every time. It's always an appropriate variation of this:
"You are so right about that. Motherhood is so much more than a career. It's a vocation...or even a higher calling. And no one's allowed to ease into it from the ground floor. You start as CEO with foot to the floor. What a rush."
Krystal:No. Motherhood is NOT a career. It's a responsibility of life if you have kids. That's it.
Fiona:If someone said to me "Motherhood isn't a career" I would have to say I agree with them. Motherhood is a RELATIONSHIP. One that will largely determine what kind of people one's children turn out to be. It is a relationship that requires a long and devoted commitment if one is to be successful at doing it. So is it a "job" or "career"? No. Is it work? Most emphatically YES! Hopefully a labor of love - no pun intended - that one chooses and jumps into wholeheartedly. If women aren't prepared to sacrifice for bearing and raising children, I wish they wouldn't do it. Stick to a job or career...leave the real work of raising children to people who REALLY want to do it. In other words, please do the RIGHT thing.
Melanie:If someone told me motherhood was not a career, I'd say, "You're right - it's not A career - it's about 12 of them, all at the same time!" And then I would add the person who said it to my mental, "not worth the time" file.
Kathleen:I am 45 and was raised in the Gloria Steinem era, when SAHM's were denigrated and made to feel unworthy. My mother sent me and my sisters to day care and I hated every second I was there. We were the last to be picked up. I was always hungry. And I was very uncomfortable because I was not in my loving sanctuary with my mom - I was in a STRANGER'S HOME. I tried to voice concerns numerous times, but they were dismissed. So to all of you who think day care is just great, I would argue you are deluding yourself. Being a stay-at-home mother is the most important job there is. How dare someone who isn't even a mother herself criticize the choice of a stay-at-home mother!
