A question for SAHM's

[emkana]

If you're asked (by a doctor for example) "Do you work?", what do you answer?

If you have to fill out a form, what do you put down for occupation?

I'm a microbiologist currently on a career break who is lucky enough to be able to be at home to look after her children.

Although the word "break" doesn't come into it!

I usually say I'm at home at the moment looking after my son and daughter full time, and i'm never usually questioned about what i used to do or what am i going to do, its nobodies business anyway what i do!

I don't like SAHM cos it sounds like I never get out of the house! Don't like housewife cos it makes me sound like a cleaner (or even worse, Anthea). Prefer Full Time Mum cos I see the 'Mum' part as being my job but I still wince a bit when i say it.

Got married recently and put 'HR Officer (resting)' on the advice of the registrar.

In work I have to ask about occupation and I swear I will scream at the next person that says "domestic engineer" Have heard that one about 5000 times and its getting irritating.

am a part-time-work-from- home - SAHM-sort of a mum and generally if people ask me directly if I work, I just say no because it's more of an indulgence than a job-job, and more importantly, I think it's actually quite a rude question. Alternatively if people ask me what I do, I have been known to reply "nothing" - try it and see the responses you get - absolutely hilarious.

Coolmama - I know what you mean - I work 2 mornings for DH's company. But never normally bother to tell people this because they think it is just a cushy number as it is working for DH (which it can be )

I think everyone here is being overly sensitive. What's wrong with saying housewife? It's a perfectly acceptable word to describe someone with who doesn't work in paid employment or pay tax and NI.
Can anyone think of another word that's not totally naff or irritatingly politically correct.
I was quite happy to be described as a housewife when I did my stint at home with the babies.

my Dp looked after our Dd for 4 days before xmas while i went to Germany on a shopping trip.
Before i went i was trying to make him see how much work is involved and what he would have to do with her, she was 19 months at the time.
His response was "well i wil do what you do, get up, give her a drink and toast, watch some tv, play for a bit, meet friends for lunch in town, come back, watch more tv, feed her, put her to bed and relax!!" as if! he soon realised is not that easy, after having to entertain her, and a good sleepless night!

I say my official job title of executive officer or civil servant on forms (because I am not technically unemployed)or sometimes Career break.

or 'on a career break looking after my children'

lol @ sweetkitty no breaks for the wicked!!

Suzy - I hate 'home duties' as my title here. It sounds like I have a list of official tasks drawn up by ? (dh? ds's?) and have to be engaged at all times in vacuuming and cooking and cleaning and stuff. It's not like I don't do them but their being required of me as my 'duties' is yuk. Though admit that it's handy to have a universal phrase for all forms.

yes i work very hard spending my husbands money

If I ask I say "do you GO OUT to work?"
actually I don't care if people ask me
to paraphrase hinker, if people don't like it they can f off
In fact I quite like it when ignorant people then have expectations of me being a bit dim and a terrible burden on society
expectations which I can then confound after they have patronised me for a bit

I don't give a toss

I don't understand why people are so defensive about it TBH

"God no I've got children" sounds very smug and frankly a bit rude, particularly if the person asking ALSO has children but wants to/has to work

I just say "No I'm at home with the children at the moment"

that was me by the way :)

pmsl harpsichordcarrier!!

Hows about "carer"?
That confuses people but is true.
I care for the kids, the house, dh (if he is good) and the garden.
They mostly get neglected (except the garden) but I do care for them.

er sahm's do pay NI actually

.. Except that's somewhat insulting to carers

Come on, most of us have CHOSEN to be at home, and someone or the state is paying for us to do it, so we are INCREDIBLY lucky and priviliged to be doing this

go and tickle you baby and making them laugh until they have hiccups and tell me you've got a hard life

too much moaning going on here

"No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent"

Eleanor Roosevelt I think

i never moan

and what do you mean someone is paying me to do this? do you mean dh?

Can I just clarify that I was joking earlier on this thread?

Anyway, if you follow Cod's logic, then children who go to school are only part-time offspring.

My point is that we have CHOSEN to do this

also I've just be re-reading Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) which gives it all a bit of perspective I think

i dont see why you are making the point MP

and (again) i dont moan, and i dont really see anyone else moaning

i thought this thread was quite light hearted!

my dd's dont go to school, so they are ft

what does it matter anyway??