Myths I HATE About Being A SAHM & One Truth!
4/18/2014
Recently I've seen a lot of the "e-cards" that are bashing being a SAHM. Actually, it's not so much bashing as telling lies and spreading myths. I believe there are several myths about being a mother and especially being a SAHM that are way to glamorized and annoying. Obviously I can't touch on every myth but I'm going to go for the ones that bother me the most!
Myth 1: All SAHM's are Alcoholics
Why in the world does everyone think that all SAHM's are alcoholics? Literally my desire to drink is about zero! Much like drinking on the job in the "real world" it impairs my judgement and I wouldn't be capable of performing at my best. Yes, I have the occasional glass of wine at night (well not now that I'm pregnant) but that's all! I'm sure there are moms out there in the world that do drink and heavily at that but I'm not one of them and I don't know many (if any) that do.
Myth 2: SAHM's Never Get A Break
Motherhood in general the breaks are few and in between, but we all knew that's what we were signing up for when we became moms. Being a mother means putting everything for yourself to the side. However, I don't agree that SAHM's and mother's don't get any breaks. I'm probably really partial to this one because like I've mentioned in other posts; I'm extremely lucky that I have my in-laws around the corner to help out. If I need to run to the store and if hubby and I want to have a date night we have that freedom.
Not everyone has the situation that I do but even when my in-laws didn't live here we made it work. If that meant driving the two hours to a parents house for a date night, that's what it took. Guess What? When I'm sick I don't get a break from my job, that is true but if hubby is available he's all about helping out! I get a break in addition to other things every single day...it's called NAP TIME! You'd be amazed what I can accomplish during Nap Time...the house can be cleaned, I can shower (I'll touch on this more later) AND even relax and catch up on a TV show or two...WOOHOO!
Myth 3: Zero Privacy & No Time To Take Care Of Yourself
This one ties into the last one just a little bit. Why is there this huge assumption that being a SAHM means I can never shower, go to the bathroom in peace and I look a HOT MESS all the time? That's just not true. One of the things I vowed to myself in becoming a mother and wife was that I wouldn't lose my ability to take care of myself or "let myself go", and I can say that I haven't. I take a bath/shower daily. My hair is washed two times a week thanks to dry shampoo and as a beauty blogger/vlogger I apply make up at least two times a week. Now I don't always get dressed to go to a gala every day for work but my hubby loves me in yoga pants and I can't lie...I like the butt grabs now and again from him.
The second part of this is that I never have any privacy to go to the bathroom. Has anyone ever heard of baby gates? I have one in the middle of our hallway between the living room and our bedroom just so that I can go to the bathroom in our bedroom by myself! The kids can scream at the gate all they want. It doesn't phase me. I close the door to go to the bathroom if I use the common bathroom and the same rule applies. Put up a baby gate or close a door. There you go...privacy problem solved!
Myth 4: Dad's Can't Do What We SAHM's Do
This is a big one with me. I'll be honest, my husband is the 2nd best option for my kids, I'm obviously their 1st preference. However, hubby is 100% capable of doing what I do...if not more so. Men have more patience with their children since we women are so emotionally driven. The only thing hubby would have a hard time with is dressing the kids. Matching outfits and cuteness just isn't his forte. I've also met PLENTY of SAHD's that are amazing at their "job". You have to do what's best for your family and sometimes that's the dad being out there working but occasionally you meet a family or two that the dad is the head of the household and runs just about as tight of a ship as any SAHM that I've met.
A lot of times we throw out the "women can do what men do, better and with heels" but you know what? Men are completely capable of running lives without us as well...they proved that for all the years they survived without us, just food for thought.
TRUTH: Motherhood is NO JOKE!
I 100% support, agree and pass this one along. Motherhood is the single hardest part of my life. Motherhood is tough. Dirty diapers suck, my brain is fried at the end of the day but you know what makes it all worth it? My daughters climbing in my lap, watching Frozen and wrapping their arms around me and saying "I love you, Mommy". That's it. If I got paid in that way everyday of my life I wouldn't need another thing. I will never lie to someone getting ready to have a baby and say my life is easy. This is a hard job but the rewards, the hugs, the kisses and the love in their eyes and smiles every single day is the reason for my living. I'm an incredibly lucky mom and even with the 3rd baby approaching I keep telling myself, "Self, life might suck for the 1st year of the 3rd baby as everyone adjusts but you can do it...because you've done it everyday for the last 3 years and it's worth every moment!"
What are some of your most hated myths about motherhood and being a SAHM? Do you have any truths you want to share?
14 comments
Yes! Especially to Myth 1! There are days I "feel like a drink" but those days are the ones that I need to stay at my sharpest so I don't.....
ReplyDeleteit's crazy! half of these e-cards are about moms complaining about their kids then the other half are about drinking...what the heck kind of perception are we putting out there about ourselves?
DeleteHaha! I never understood why people complain about not being able to go to the bathroom by yourself...that's what the door is for :D Love this!
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY! Someone else gets it haha
DeleteYes to all! I hate the one about never being able to shower and such. I shower and get dressed everyday! I refuse to let myself go!
ReplyDeleteTenns @ New Mama Diaries
glad I'm not the only one who can pull it off! haha
DeleteYes! Yes! Yes...SAHM has little to nothing to do with simply staying at home. We are working..working to raise happy kiddies. I shower, you just have to be creative with your timing...nap times, during a movie, etc. Okay that said...I do suffer from the bathroom privacy issue. Yes I close the door but they just stand there and knock...I've even had the dreaded tiny fingers under the door...LOL I don't give it but it can be cute/torturous all at once...LOL :D
ReplyDeleteI've never dealt with fingers thanks to baby gates haha!
DeleteThis is a wonderful post! I'd say yes to all! And surely, motherhood is no joke AT ALL. No crash course can prepare one for motherhood, it just happens every single day.
ReplyDeleteI agree! No joke at all!
DeleteI've definitely heard of some of these. The alcoholic one is new though! I never knew people thought that! Funny I just saw The Butler recently and the mom was an alcoholic! But I guess I never thought about that being a stereotype. I get breaks but it's because I just get them around the time of taking care of my family. With every new transition or when something new changes up a schedule, my free time might change. If that stereotype were true, I don't think I'd be able to blog lol. :) It's great to be back. Just had to stop over and see what you were up to. Congrats again on your pregnancy! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Brit! :)
DeleteBoth of my babies had colic. You could never put them down, it caused them extreme pain, so I could not go to the bathroom by myself, or shower, or sleep. They had to be held slightly upright, all the time. So we slept in a chair, so that my arms would support them through their naps, 3 hours was the longest! LOL! I needed a drink, but never got to have one! Ha! Wouldn't change it for the world, but Parenthood is hard sometimes!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm sorry your little ones had it rough in the beginning but every mommy experience is different! Hopefully you're getting a little more sleep these days :)
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