for feeling smug when mothers of school-agers describe themselves as "Full-time mums" or "Housewives"?

[CareeringAlong]

Name change...

Following from the threads about life at home when you don't do voluntary of paid work, although your children are of school-age, I was wondering if anyone else who does work can't help feeling a tad superior? Oh yes, I know I'll be flamed for this, but there it is.

These housewives seem to do all the things that working mothers do (cooking, cleaning, planning etc, etc, etc) but don't have any purpose outside of this. They seem to think that doing the supermarket shopping is a reasonable replacement for a 'real' career. I can't help but feel prejudiced against them.

I'm currently a SAHM as DD is pre-school, but will do paid (and voluntary) work as soon as she's in school. I'm looking forward to building-up my career again and working for the family.

Oh, and before anyone jumps on this, I've always cooked decent-quality meals from scratch, even when I worked v. long hours; my dogs are walked in the early hours; and my house is always clean and tidy. I argue that ironing is for losers, however!

OK. Hard hat on!

PMSL @ no one coos over flat mammie cakes,made by a kyle fan

I like the mix of working and being at home - would hate to do either full time. I mean, I like carrot cake with thick vanilla frosting, but not every day. I'd get bored - and green round the gills. Bit of variety is what keeps things interesting.

Ah wouldn't it be nice if every family had a choice for one parent to stay at home, but for a lot of people that is not an option. For a lot of others they would dearly love to go to work but can't for a variety of reasons.

If you are lucky enough to be able to have a choice, or are just happy with what your doing, then yes by all means feel content but to feel superior??? Get over yourself.

SweetAlice - are you referring to a vibrator?

...I wonder how mothers who work outside the home feel about their job??

Are they all super happy and content...do they feel valued?? Do they feel like they are making a significant contribution to society OR do they do it for the money???

I wonder..........

you sahm-ers have day reckoning,when the wallet dh ups off with a twinky and your pelvic floor is shot

the grafters will of course be solvent and free to buy cake any ole time

I think sweetalice has had a few too many snowballs, gawd bless her.

What you on about, al?

Also when you have had enough of your lazy good for nothing wallet 'D'H, demanding sex, you can quite happily trill "off you fuck, love" and be gone.

PMSL at SM's last post.

Becaroo - I do love my job. Yes I feel am making a contribution to society, whatever that means.

At the very least I ma paying my mortgage so if the shit hits the fan and DP pisses off I will not be up shit creek.

NEVER rely financially on someone else. Pay your own way.

my pelvic floor is spotless I will have you know SM and my dh is a slave to my sexual allure.

So there.

You just wait til the mid life crisis hits and he's after any pelvic floor in sight

But you can end up in shit creek with 2 people working you know!!

I am studying so that I can go back to work in a better job when I choose to. Might be in 2 years, might be in 10....who knows??? A lot can happen in that time and I dont really like the idea of constantly planning in case my dh leaves me How depressing.

My DHs midlife crisis involved a campervan and cycling LandsEnd to John O'Groats

(At least he said that's where he was ....)

1 in 3 (or maybe 4 - can't be ringed to look it up)

It's not ridiculous to think it might happen to you.

I don't know about making a significant contribution to society, but I love getting out of the home, earning my own money, achieving things for myself that don't involve children/the school/pta. I also like mixing with a huge variety of people outside of my narrow, middle class bubble. It's fascinating at times, challenging at others, but never, ever dull.

really?if you rely on someone else wage life is perilous.your outcomes shaped by their wage earning ability

true beca - we'll all be working until we are 75, so there's plenty of time

I am not planning for him to leave me.

I am just involved in financially planning for all eventualities. And that means earning my own money.

Yes I think I contribute. I design bits of planes. (top tip: avoid A380s)

Never rely longterm on anyone else for your lifestyle - whether it's the state or another person. Better to be a master (mistress?) of your own destiny.

You design the A380s then?

I am not saying it might not happen, I am saying I refuse to go out a get a crappy PT job (which is all I realistically could do atm) which I earn a pittance for and which I hate in case dh leaves me!!!!

And simply leaving the house every morning is perilous...

JLC I think dh's mid life crisis will involve going round Austria by train and I will probably go too, so I'm not that bothered!!!

I think anyone thinking they are the master of their destiny is slightly funny. Sorry.

We make plans and the Gods laugh.

I am not admitting anything.

But the A380 was years late.

Everyone who works contributes by paying tax.

I should give up work and devote self to baking the pimped-up cupcakes which are my speciality. They have so much sugar in and on them that you can't sit still for an hour. They are also hideously brightly coloured, which is always a hit.