So What Do You Do All Day?

If you're a stay-at-home parent, how do you answer to the people who frequently– and annoyingly– ask, "So, what do you do all day?"

A listener in our Facebook group posted:

"During Covid, I quit my job and I’ve been home. I drive my kids to school, work out, and manage the house and family. I’m very happy and fulfilled, especially knowing that my eldest will be leaving for college soon, I’m soaking up this time. My problem is trying to explain this to others. I have a good college degree and worked in a decent field before I quit. I guess I feel pressure to work and use my skills. One well-intentioned retired woman at my gym was actually trying to figure out how I can not drive my kids to school so that I could go back to work. I’ve even considered lying and saying I work part time at home to get people off my case."

A pre-pandemic Gallup analysis 60,000 women in the U.S. revealed that more than a quarter of SAHMs report feeling depressed. The researchers suggested that “societal recognition of the difficult job stay-at-home mothers have raising children would perhaps help support them emotionally.” Don't stay up waiting for that to happen. America’s mothers have continued to say that society is not supporting them. 

Do we just decide not to let these misperceptions of stay-at-home parenthood bother us? Do we fight back, bring lists, demand the respect that our hard work deserves? Will that get us anywhere?

Links:

• Our episode with Laura Vanderkam on time management for moms
• Laura's piece: "The working stay-at-home mom"
• Motherly’s 2022 State of Motherhood Survey Report
• Consider This on NPR: The Great Resignation: Why People Are Leaving Their Jobs In Growing Numbers
• Gallup: Stay-at-Home Moms Report More Depression, Sadness, Anger
• Emily Glover for Motherly: It’s harder than ever before for families to get by on a single income

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