becoming invisible

[multitasker]

I left work four years ago to look after my kids and it was definately the best decision I made. sometimes though when I am out with friends (who work) I feel like I have nothing much to contribute to the conversation, and its strange but its always other women who ask what do you do all day as if you are just plain lazy. Are they jealous or am I paranoid? I have three great kids a wonderful husband and a lovely home and feel content most of the time. Do any other SAHM feel like Shirley Valentine and talk to the wall at times?

I have a cleaner who comes in once a week and does all the ironing

I do most of the washing at the weekend .. and fold everything that doesn't need ironing and leave it on side .. it transports itself upstairs eventually or the kids get dressed downstairs

I load the dishwasher during the day and either wash up / leave the pans for DH

I tidy / dust / hoover when people are coming over .. which they do most days .. so it doesn't get that dirty

The kids are totally able to tidy on their own .. ie put their toys away .. if they help me it turns into a 'mare .. but if I leave them to it it gets done

Shopping .. online or jaunts down the high street to pick up bits

What is it I'm not doing that every 'frazzled' mum is?

back later .. we're off to make muffins

I suppose if you are entertaining the kids more there is less opportunity for them to then make mess.

I suppose it depends what your priorities are wrt to cleaning etc.

Have to say I let my two run riot today so the house is a tip. Before I left for work DP rang and I told him that the house was a tip, I couldnt be arsed, will deal with it tomorrow on my "day off" (from work).

You definitely do need to do something/read more if you want to be able to "join in" with friends who dont have children. I think you should do anyway tbh.

Good post by boredatwork btw!

Hmmm, well I don't have a cleaner or ironing lady, I don't shop online (always thought it was more expensive), don't have a car so everything takes longer, don't have a dishwasher....so some small differences there... but I don't think my post implied I spend all the hours God sends cleaning, or that I dislike or resent the fun things I do with the kids. I said I don't like the assumption some people make that SAHMs sit on their arses all day pleasing themselves. They don't. Or I don't, at any rate. I am very busy, and I am tired at the end of the day, just as I was when I was working.

Love it BoredatWork

Indeed Greeny...oh to have a dishwasher.....and people talk of having two - on rotation

Totally with you Molton, women should be supportive of each other whatever choices we make "workwise". Its just like the whole thin thing - thats not men, its just women trying to outdo each other. Tiresome, but thats a whole other subject.