You shouldn't use the term SAHM if...

[TheJennaThing]

You don't have children at home during the day? As in, they're in school.
I'm all for SAHP if they're children are actually at home but unless your OH earns mega bucks and you don't need to work surely SAHM isn't the right term if you just decide you're not going to work when you're kids are at school.

[Bluntness100]

So I am not in employment, but I am not classified as unemployed

I think thr term is financially inactive or something similar, to describe people who do not work and are not seeking to.

[Lelloteddy]

Whilst that may be the ‘dictionary definition’ of unemployed, I don’t think it can be argued that every unemployed person in receipt of benefits is actively seeking work. Some are being forced to because of possible sanctions but being described as actively seeking work is a bit of a jump in some scenarios.

[LookingForwardToChristmas]

So what do you think these parents do before school drop at 08:45ish, after pick up at 15:00ish and all of the school holidays?

[Coconutspongexo]

I’m going to start calling myself a UnicornMum because I’m magical (not literally magical though OP) I feel like parents who stay at home should be allowed to call themselves whatever they feel suits them best.

[kaytee87]

[TheJennaThing]

@YellowMakesMeSmile Exactly my point.

@Bluntness101 Right.. I can asure you I'm not bothered in the slightest about your threat that anonymous people on the internet want to 'kick the living shit out' me.

[Yeahsureokay]

Yes of course they are still a sahp.

It's nobody's business how people choose to live their lives anyway.

What a ridiculous thread.

You are too bored op. If you're unhappy with your job or working hours then I suggest you be proactive and change things for yourself instead of attacking other women.

[NataliaOsipova]

I think thr term is financially inactive or something similar, to describe people who do not work and are not seeking to.

Exactly. Economically inactive.

[ShesAStar]

Thank you for educating me on how to refer to myself. If anyone asks what I do from now on I’ll say “my DH earns mega bucks so I stay home, except in the holidays when I’m a SAHM.” That sounds much clearer and more concise than just saying SAHM.

[DonnyAndVladSittingInATree]

Going to be a pedant here....but "unemployed" means actively seeking and available for work.

No it doesn’t. Be a better pedant.

[DeleteOrDecay]

Why do you care? Bizarre thing to get worked up about.

[Iloveanimals]

Well that's going to go down well
Also second that it's not for you to judge

[grasspigeons]

children aren't in school for 175 days a year
the school day is 9-3

[Gottagetmoving]

I don't know why people feel the need to label themselves as anything. Who cares.
The question 'what do you do?' drives me mad too...I always want to start listing all the random stuff I do all day. Also, asking kids, ' What do you want to be when you grow up?' Your job isn't who you are and whether you work or not is not who you are.
Still, I suppose we have to put people into categories for whatever the fuck reason..

[KalaLaka]

Ha yet you're a childminder if you have the children 7-9 and 3-6... and you get paid for it.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

“I don’t stop being a mum when the kids go to school”

Quite. And it’s worth pointing out that working mums “don’t stop being a mum” when they go to work either

[AcrossthePond55]

Then what should you call them? "Stay-at-home-with-no-kids-from-8-to-3pm-when-they're-in-school-and-I'm-home-alone-doing-nothing-mum"?

My sister has never worked a day in her life. I've always worked (except when on mat leave). We were both 'full time mums' and would give hell to anyone who says we weren't. She was lucky enough to be able to stay home. It wasn't an option for me. Her staying at home enabled her to do much more at her children's schools than I could. It also enabled her to help our mum out and to further her high earning husband's career. She also was around to help with childcare on occasion or to do a favour. She is a gem. Trust me, she worked plenty hard!

We're both retired now. And disappointed that the 'labelling' and the 'who's the better mum' bullshit hasn't moved on one whit from 25-30 years ago when we were raising our kids!!! Dammit, we're better than this, women!!!

Rant over.

[TeenTimesTwo]

Rubbish.

[TheJennaThing]

My OP was really really talking about the people who don't work because they're stretching every benefit they receive to not work even though their kids are at school. That's pure laziness, it's not staying at home in the day to parent to your child as an alternative to working.

[JacquesHammer]

You don't have children at home during the day? As in, they're in school

I was a SAHP until DD was 6...what should have called myself?

Essentially it's trying to make it sound better than saying unemployed.

The term unemployed implies actively searching for work. I didn't need to work; and indeed left work by choice.

[ByThePowerOfRa]

@Bluntness101 Right.. hmm I can asure you I'm not bothered in the slightest about your threat that anonymous people on the internet want to 'kick the living shit out' me.

Oh come on, you KNOW she wasn’t threatening you at all. She was being friendly towards you and simply pointing out that this might be a touchy subject for some people.

I don’t want to kick the living shit out of you fwiw !

[NataliaOsipova]

If anyone asks what I do from now on I’ll say “my DH earns mega bucks so I stay home, except in the holidays when I’m a SAHM.” That sounds much clearer and more concise than just saying SAHM.

[Bluntness100]

Op, for goodness sake, I didn’t mean it literally, I simoly meant you would be not met with a pleasant response on this thread.

Ffs