Comments on: What Does a Stay-at-Home Mom Do All Day?

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:46:57 +0000

I would like to say, thank you for this post! It is very much timely for my life right now. In fact, it leads me to a question that I need to ask another mother who is farther ahead in the road than me, I have a 4 year old son and a 14 month old daughter. How do I get control? Everything I do is a joke. I know this sounds rather ridiculous, however, it is the truth. I would love to make healthy meals, my son refuses to eat them. I would love to have routine, it would be a fight every step of the way. I have prayed, I have read books, I have read blogs, I have cried. I have tried. But, I am failing. Perhaps, I as a person am out of control and it is reflecting on my home and children. I would love some advice. I know, it is so easy to say, a 4 your old is controling my life. And, there is such a huge back story to all of this as well, but it would only lead to excuses. The facts are laid out, I have to change it, now. I would very much love any advice you might give… Stephanie

By: Mrs. Lady Sofia

Mrs. Lady Sofia — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:14:03 +0000

Kelly,

I appreciated as well as needed to read this post today.

Unlike most of the women here who have children, I do not, but I am a full-time homemaker, who “came home” 9 months ago to better serve my Lord and husband. I’m sure that most people would think that this decision was foolish. However, my husband and I, with the Lord’s help, know that is best for our family.

Since my contact with others is minimal, fortunately, I don’t get the silly, “what do you do all day” question. However, my extended family members are adjusting to my “new life style” and seem to be accepting of this choice.

My days may not be as full as a woman who has little ones under her skirts, but I do keep busy with various projects, and I can honestly say that I don’t become bored. I used to work outside the home in the past, and I was quite bored with my outside jobs. The best part of the day was leaving them to come home!

Of course, being home full-time requires you to “think outside the box,” which I am still learning to do, but it’s worth it because my marriage is less stressful, and my husband is quite happier with me taking care of things on the home front.

At any rate, I’d like to thank you again Kelly for sharing this blessed post with your fellow blog readers.

~Mrs. Lady Sofia~

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:17 +0000

What term do you like? I would think “Homemaker” would suit just fine, although maybe it is too old-fashion for some. I have heard people say they are a “Domestic Engineer”. I don’t like that. Sounds like they are trying too hard to sound prestigious or something.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:59:38 +0000

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:46:04 +0000

Oh my goodness. I am so blessed by this post! I am a SAHM of 4 (soon to be more) and there is always something to do around here. Only recently have I realized that I am not the only one to have to do it though I have started teaching my children to work. I know that sounds strange, but I cannot tell you what a revelation this has been for me! It took about a month of doing all the “chores” AND teaching the kids to do them along side me (instead of waiting till nap time and doing them by myself or letting them watch a movie while I finish up) But now there is free time. We have been learning to embroider. We have had more time for homeschooling. I have had time to prepare things that just fell by the wayside before. Each of my children, from 8 down to 3 has work to do in the house. And each one of them gets to see how they effect the rest of the home. If the three year old does not do his chores, the other kids cannot do theirs (he sorts laundry the others fold it and put it away) and if the 8 yo does not do hers than mommy cannot make dinner… It has been SO wonderful seeing them learn to be responsible for themselves (and each other) And I am able to do so many more stay at home mama things that I never had the time to before.

Thank you so much for this post! I am going to repost

By: jill f.

jill f. — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:08:51 +0000

I agree, Kelly, I’ve always disliked the term SAHM because it sounds so….inactive maybe? I don’t just stay at home…some days I move very fast to get it all done! A wise pastor’s wife said, “If you’re a tired SAHM at the end of the day it means you’re doing something right!”

I have to say, though, that I was one of those ladies who wanted to be home and my hubby wanted me home but I was pretty bored with only a couple of children. We moved a lot and I didn’t have a car so I got my housework done in the morning and then put the little ones in a stroller and walked all over town. I didn’t have a computer but I am a fast reader so I could easily (and did) read lots of homemaking books quickly. I also waited around every day for Focus on the Family to come on the radio-I needed encouragement all alone in my little hom!

Now I have eight children and a self-employed hubby and lots of folks seeking me out for advice and help so I have to carve out time to stay in my house with my family and putter around. I love it!

I look back and realize that those lonely years with small children and long hours alone in my house were learning years. I learned to lean on Christ and I did educate myself quie a bit.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:38:57 +0000

I,too, don’t like the phrase Stay-at-home-mom but what would be a better thing to say? I get people asking me, Do you work or stay at home? all the time….My reply is I am a full time wife and a mother….very good post…Heidi

By: Word Warrior

Word Warrior — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:28:37 +0000

Thanks Michelle, AshleyLanea and all the other new readers/commenters..your input is what makes this a “community”…I read and cherish every one.

By: Michelle Brotherton

Michelle Brotherton — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:09:13 +0000

I haven’t experienced that particular comment yet, being blessed enough to come from a long line of SAHMs. I think I’d laugh if someone asked me that. Even though I’m a FTM and have a small place, it’s incredible how much there is to do every day. Always something that needs attention, and with a little guy getting more active every day, I’m busier than ever. When I’m tempted to think that this is all rather repetitious I think back to when I was a working girl. Those jobs were just as much so. In fact there are probably very few jobs where you don’t wash rinse and repeat day in, day out.
And I truly know how wonderful being a SAHM is. I worked in a daycare for a couple years, and even while pregnant. It made me so sad to see babies left all day, every day by their moms who breezed in and out. The worst was a little guy who was always last to get picked up. All the other moms would come and get their babies. He’d watch the door and his face was so sad.
So yeah I may not be a huge fan of washing dishes (yay for dishwashers!) and such, but this is my job. I’m the one who prepares yummy food, picks up all the baby toys, loves on my hubby, gets to snuggle and rock my little guy to sleep and see his smile when he wakes up from a nap. And I love it!

I’m not merely a SAHM, I’m CEO of the house!

P.S. This blog is wonderful. It’s been so encouraging to me. Kudos to all you moms out there!

By: Kelly L

Kelly L — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:26:12 +0000

Liz,
I already prayed for you and your family and will continue to do so. My husband really is such a blessing to me. I would encourage you to find the ways your husband is a blessing to you and praise him for it alone and in front of the children. I am not saying you are not grateful for him, but I can tell you are hurt by and upset with your husband’s demands on you. And those thoughts are totally understandable. But this may be a way to hold every thought captive to Christ AND turn the situation around. Please know I don’t mean a judging tone, but only a loving one, as a sister in Christ. My heart hurts with yours. While I do have a pretty cush life, adversity is not foreign to me, and this is how I have overcome them. Blessings, Kelly