A 24/7 Job

[SimplyMum]

Ok, so I'm probably opening a whole can of worms here but wanted to get your veiw on this.

Being a stay-at-home Mum is hard work- it is like so many would agree a 24/7 job.

What annoys me is when people imply that because some mothers work they are not full time mothers or it's not a 24/7 job.

While at a gathering recently, someone asked me whether I am a full time mum or not. I mean, yes- I am a full time mum, I don't relinquish my duties between the hours of 9-5, I am still a mum. I still worry, plan and organise for the future.
When I get home, I am a mum, and a mum into the night. Just because I work, the gods above don't always grant me a full nights sleep (last night he woke up saying there was a kookaburra in his bed!:laughing:).

Just because I work, doesn't mean I'm not a full time mum or it's not a 24/7 job for me.

[mum2bubba]

Of course you're a full time mum. You're a mum thats it. People shouldn't say that mothers who work or study are part time mothers. I've heard this before and if I was a working mother that would get me really annoyed. :thumbsdown:

[bundymummy]

I think the only people who can truly understand how demanding motherhood is, is another mum...

Motherhood is draining, demanding, exhausting, exhilirating and rewarding all at the same time.

I'm getting really fed up with DH's family ATM. They just don't get it. I'm a mum, I work 30hrs a week and I'm at uni part time. AND DD doesn't go to day care - I work from home and in the office. Ummm thats;

Mum - 24/7 job
Work - 30hrs a week
Uni - 10hrs a week

Oooh but I get to work from home, so it's not so bad. No, it's worse. I stress constantly when DD crys because I don't get a break, and I have all this work to do. And apparently I should have all the time in the world to take DD to visit MIL and GMIL even though they couldn't be stuffed asking about her when I was still preggers :hair:

Sorry, just a little rant of my own!

People are just pathetic sometimes. They really need to mind their own business when they clearly don't understand!

BTW - read my sig. It explains so much :laughing:

[trouble]

I was working part time, while my kids were at day care 2 days a week, and evenings when DH was home, and I dont now, almost ready to have another baby!! 2 weeks!!!:smiliedance:

being a mum is a full time job, and I felt it was a full time job when I work part time or not.

I did enjoy going to work as it was my extra cash, and my time away from kids to have adult chit chat, and made me feel like I was putting in towards the finances,

But I working or not working, I am just as busy as the other, if you understand.:)

[WorkingClassMum]

This is a frequent critism I have faced, I mean if I work full time (which is only considered to be 37.5 hours PW) and I'm on call 24/7 for my kids, I'm working to put a roof over their heads and food on the table and clothes on their backs and a financial secure future - how come I'm not a full time mum?

Yes, other people have wiped the bums and their tears - but no-one else wipes away my tears when I miss them like having my heart torn from my chest.

I'm the only one who organises child-care, school stuff, kinder stuff, dancing, golf and any other things they do.

I'm the one who dashes out at lunch time to get uniforms and books

I'm the one who shops at 10pm once their asleep to get the christmas presents and birthday presents.

I'm the one who accepts invites and delivers a rapt child and a wrapped present to yet again another 3 hour Saturday function, juggling shopping, washing and cleaning.

I'm the one hanging out clothes at 7am and bringing them in at 6pm and folds them while listening to a reader and stirring the dinner and making lunches.

I'm the one mopping the floor at 10.30pm so it'll be clean for a few hours before dawn

I'm the one getting up at 5am to walk the dogs before MOTh goes to work.

I'm the one that picks up dog poo so the kids can play outside while I hand out yet again another load of washing

I work in an office for 37.5 hours pw, and I am still a mum for every breathing minute of my day

Why do other mothers see fit to pass judgement? I'd rather they pass me a kleenex and a stiff drink

[SimplyMum]

Mum - 24/7 job
Work - 30hrs a week
Uni - 10hrs a week


Oh, this is me. And than add into that at home study! So, really we're defying science and trying to fit 40hrs of work into 24hrs! Impossible? Well we live to tell the tale, don't we!


This is a frequent critism I have faced, I mean if I work full time (which is only considered to be 37.5 hours PW) and I'm on call 24/7 for my kids, I'm working to put a roof over their heads and food on the table and clothes on their backs and a financial secure future - how come I'm not a full time mum?

Yes, other people have wiped the bums and their tears - but no-one else wipes away my tears when I miss them like having my heart torn from my chest.

I'm the only one who organises child-care, school stuff, kinder stuff, dancing, golf and any other things they do.

I'm the one who dashes out at lunch time to get uniforms and books

I'm the one who shops at 10pm once their asleep to get the christmas presents and birthday presents.

I'm the one who accepts invites and delivers a rapt child and a wrapped present to yet again another 3 hour Saturday function, juggling shopping, washing and cleaning.

I'm the one hanging out clothes at 7am and bringing them in at 6pm and folds them while listening to a reader and stirring the dinner and making lunches.

I'm the one mopping the floor at 10.30pm so it'll be clean for a few hours before dawn

I'm the one getting up at 5am to walk the dogs before MOTh goes to work.

I'm the one that picks up dog poo so the kids can play outside while I hand out yet again another load of washing

I work in an office for 37.5 hours pw, and I am still a mum for every breathing minute of my day

Why do other mothers see fit to pass judgement? I'd rather they pass me a kleenex and a stiff drink

Oh, you summed it up in one girlfriend!

I had a bit of a giggle at the hanging washing out at 6am and bringing it in at 6pm. I've learnt that while it's annoying that DS is a fussy eater- the extra time it takes him to eat his dinner- I can usually get the washing off the line and the dishes done (god help me when I go back to study!)

[jag5000]

well, I, as a current SAHM, want to applaud you working mums!

you certainly get my respect for managing to fit so much into your week. Being a mum doesn't stop just because you are at work, on holiday, asleep or whatever!

I am setting up a home based business atm and I am so worried about how I will cope with it... I am just worried that because I am 'home' I will still be expected to keep up with everything at the same standard that I do now being a full time SAHM. Already I have had the comments that it won't be a 'real' job!...... grrrr!

so kudos and respect to you all!

I also have a problem with the amount of men that DO think their parenting stops when they are at the office (but that's a whole other thread ;))

[tracynben]

i have been a working mum and a SAHM, so i can see it from both ends. I worked full time from when ds was 7 months, im now expectin no2 and have been a SAHM for the past 5 months.

No matter whether you work or not you are always a full time mum and both are just as tiring.

I think working full time makes it more physically tiring, but bein at home more emotionally tiring.

Like someone mentioned only other mums will understand a full time mum is full time no matter what.

tracy xxxx

[canberramomma]

All I know is that I've tried and just can't handle the whole mummy/work/study thing and I take my hat off to anyone who manages it!

Onya girls, you are much better women than me!:yes:

[missie_mack]

There was a case study I read in a book ago talking about women today VS our grandmothers generations (well mine at least, ie the generation that had baby boomers) and they found that todays generation actually had it worse as they had greater expectations placed on them ie work etc and based on census results women still do most of the work at home as well....

In saying that I much prefer being a working Mum to when I was a SAHM despite being more hectic and busy. I really feel sad about how mothers judge other mothers for their lifestyle choices like working and being a home parent, childcare and all the rest :(

[ThisIsLiving]

All I can say is....

Working Class Mum, you summed it up perfectly and beautifully. :yelclap: :yelclap:

Extraordinary, it really maddens me too when I hear people's throwaway comments. They just don't think before they speak sometimes.

Once you are a Mum, you will FOREVER be a Mum, regardless of whether you are trying to juggle outside paid work or are at home with the children 7 days a week - a Mother is a Mother...100%. :yes:

[Teegzie]

I think it is horrible when people imply someone is less of a mother because they work! Asking is a SAHM or a working mum I can understand (so long as it is just polite conversation, not an opening for attack!) but every Mum is a full time Mum!

My Mum always said that you never stop being a parent, even when your kids are all grown up! So actually we aren't full time Mums, we are lifetime Mums! :p

[MothersMilk]

Once you are a Mum, you will FOREVER be a Mum, regardless of whether you are trying to juggle outside paid work or are at home with the children 7 days a week - a Mother is a Mother...100%. :yes:

:iagree: that is how i feel about it too :thumbsup: