Generation gap and attitude to working parents

[Nelly123]

I earn double what my DH does and just about manage to work full time. I am facing redundancy and will HAVE to find another job. We live in a different city to our families and do not have any support. I am envious of my parent?s generation; it seemed they could have a stay at home parent (mum usually) and a breadwinner. Comments like ? you should think about staying home when your littleun goes to school next year? are infuriating. They have no intention of providing practical support and should keep their judgments to themselves. I try to understand they have different life experience ? why can?t they?

I have been a full-time SAHM from September 2004 to August 2010.

I have just recently taken on 2 jobs - both on a freelance/self-employed basis. One of the jobs - the freelance one - I can set my own hours, but does mean I need to be in conferences and meetings from time to time, and it pays well. The second has set hours at my home after school and during school holidays but does not pay as well.

OP, this is my experience: when I was not in paid employment, I got criticised all the time. Now that I am in paid employment, guess what? I get criticised even more!

I have come to the stark conclusion that whatever I do, I will be 'in the wrong'. If I stay at home and not in paid employment, I am labelled as a lazy uneducated parasite. If I'm in paid employment, I receive the typical comments that mothers in paid employment often receive - too many and hurtful to list.

I have learnt to give those who make these types of comments with widest of berth.

The next generation in my family circle do not understand. Maybe the title is misleading - I fully understand that some DO understand, have different circumstances or are able to mind their business. I asked for an opinion here but do not ask for interference in real life. You really made me laugh though :)

I agree with new2cm and think it is important that we all try to understand and appreciate each others circumstances regardless if you stay at home, work from home or go out to work.