to think why should I have to refer to myself as a sahm?

[springchik]

Whats wrong with full time mum?

Could SAHMs describe themselves as nannies, do you think?

i'm a leech ..if that helps

[runs to the gym]

I always say (very apologetic) that I don't work, or am unemployed. I was talking to a mortgage broker on the phone a while ago and he asked me what I do and I even said 'sorry' to him about not working.

I should be proud to be at home looking after my children, I don't even want a job.

What about when the dcs are at school? Then you're not anymore a 'full time' mum than I am. I work pt 30 hours a week, during school hours, so the children see no less of me than if I was at home all day.

Because I work during the hours that the dcs are at school am I therefore a full time mum? Or do I have to be at home doing the ironing to qualify? .

In my opinion, SAHM is a far less misleading description of what you do.

madamdeathstare

It always grates a little with me when MIL describes herself as 'working in the home' rather than retired (she had a part-time job for a grand total of 3 years since her oldest DC was born 44 years ago and she is past retirement ages now). I swear she thinks that women who also work/worked have a magic housefairy. I just don't think she has any idea what it is like to be truly busy or even just busier. Statements like 'we haven't got time to do a full weekly shop this week because we are walking the neighbours dog whilst they are out next weekend' are said with a complete straight face.

I know I am a part-time lady of leisure because I can contrast it with my years of working full-time and working part-time with a toddler with what I am doing now [working part-time with a primary age child] - I love it too . Not that this has anything to do with the thread - just rambling.

If someone in real life asks me what do do i say " I look after my children full time". Hopefully that isn't hugely offensive because I have been saying it for years.
I use it on the basis that If i was using outside childcare i would only be physically looking after them part time

work 24 hours a day! Why? Beacuse I'm a MUM, I am a cook, a cleaner, a parent, a teacher, a referee, a nanny, a nurse, a handyman, a maid, security, and a comforter. I don't get holidays, sick pay, or a day off.I work through the day and some of the night, on call at all hours. I ...am underpaid and overworked.

Well, I work outside the home and take care of my son and do plenty of housework, so that must make me a full time mum and a half!

I guess us WOHMs feel that SAHMs do what we do minus the paid work whereas the SAHMs feel devalued by the other team...

As in most areas of women's lives, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't...

I do think it matters on your financial circumstances too though, childcare is expensive and that can be a hurdle to going back to work.

Still, I hate it when either group implies they are better mothers for whichever choice they make, either being syperwoman or supermartyr or superbakermummy.

AuntiePickleBottom work 24 hours a day! Why? Beacuse I'm a MUM, I am a cook, a cleaner, a parent, a teacher, a referee, a nanny, a nurse, a handyman, a maid, security, and a comforter. I don't get holidays, sick pay, or a day off.I work through the day and some of the night, on call at all hours. I ...am underpaid and overworked.

Most women who go out to work still have all these roles out of working hours. You could argue that they have sick days to themselves but then so could a SAHM if she put DCs into childcare for that day which is what the WOHM has had to do.

I may be very lazy but I find it hard to believe that mums work 24hrs a day. I think of myself as on call 24hrs a day, which can be annoying. (My DH is always lamenting the fact I have a break in the middle of the day, nap time. I try to point out that he gets a specified lunch hour which comes at the same time every day and is always a decent length. Mine is hit and miss.)

Full time mum implies that others are part time mums which does not hit the nail on the head. I still vote for unemployed.