May 7, 2010
What in the World is a STAY-AT-HOME Mom?
What in the World is a STAY-AT-HOME Mom? We've all heard the term Stay-At-Home mom. I've even used the term to describe myself many times. I'm currently the SAHM of Teens columnist on www.Homebodies.org . But really, who EVER heard of a mother of teenagers that actually STAYS at home? Not me, that's for sure. And it's a pretty safe bet to say that it doesn't describe you either. Sometimes people (very misguided people, I might add) have asked me what I do all day. Some even chuckle about how nice it must be that I can stay home all day and how I must have so much time on my hands with nothing to do. Are they kidding? Them are fightin' words. I have three teenagers who don't have their driver's license yet and who are all involved in a variety of activities. Now, when I was young, I did a lot of walking and bike riding to get myself where I needed to be. Sometimes I think I should have my kids do more of that, but to be honest, the thought scares me. We live in a different world now than when I was a kid and I'd really be afraid to have my teen out on the streets alone, especially at night. So what choice is there? Mom's Taxi logs in several miles a day. Want to know my typical day? I bet yours is similar! Let's look at yesterday. After dropping the kids to school, I came home to clean the kitchen of breakfast dishes, have my daily time with God, and began homeschooling my youngest, who asked to be taught at home this year.Two hours later I assigned him work to do on his own while I went to pick up his sister for the dentist. I dropped her to the dentist and ran errands until she called my cell phone to come and get her. I then dropped her off to school. I checked over my son's work and then made lunch. After lunch (and more dishes) I worked at my "job" as a writer until it was time to help junior do his newspapers because it was raining. After that I picked up my daughter from school and dropped her off at work. An hour later I picked up my oldest from football practice, stopped at the grocery store to let him buy flowers for his cheerleader (this is a whole other story!) and came home to prepare dinner. After dinner (and more dishes) I brought one son to work, picked up my daughter FROM work and brought her to her soccer banquet. Upon my return home I was asked by my youngest to bring him skating. When I got home, my oldest called informing me that his place of employment overscheduled workers for the night and didn't need him to work and that I needed to go back and pick him up. (By the way, his boss had better be looking over his shoulder for this inconsiderate act!) I then had to pick up junior from skating and (because my daughter managed her own ride home) I was able to come home and collapse into my bed only to hear "Mom, I'm sorry, but my math project is due tomorrow and I just ran out of..." AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The joys of being a "Stay-At-Home" mom. Who in the world ever came up with that term anyway?!? Patti Chadwick is a freelance writer and a Stay-at-Home mom of16 years. She's also author of the new bookMISSION POSSIBLE: RAISING GREAT TEENS! available for $5.95 at www.ParentsandTeens.com . Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.

Posted by Staff at 1:56 AM