Stay-at-home Moms Are Also Working Moms

There is a worrying tendency today to judge stay-at-home moms. But women who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their sons and daughters are also just working women.

Around the world, we commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, an occasion originally known as International Working Women’s Day. However, as we celebrate women’s achievements in the workplace, we must be careful not to exclude stay-at-home moms who choose to stay home to care for their children.

The History of International Women’s Day

Unfortunately, this important day has a tragic history. On March 8, 1911, a large group of women died in a fire in a textile factory. They fought for equality, or rather, they fought for recognition of their rights.

The goal of these activists was to improve conditions for all workers, regardless of gender. Today we commemorate them as a symbol of the history of feminism.

But… as for women who dedicate their lives to housework and raising children. Aren’t they just part of the celebration of International Women’s Day???

Of course they belong! Stay-at-home moms deserve the same recognition as those who choose a professional career. Taking care of a home and a family is also a difficult task. But unlike formal work outside the home, it is unpaid and endless, it goes on and on.  

Women who stay at home to take care of their children do not put a price tag on their labor. House mothers do not receive bonuses or holiday allowances. For many people, they don’t even count as employees.

But without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. For many of us, it’s our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts and girlfriends. And they all deserve the same respect.

It doesn’t matter if they stay home. It’s not like they’re permanently on vacation. It is time for our society to recognize this: a stay-at-home mother who takes care of her children full-time is also a working mother.

Stay-at-home moms are working moms

The days go by and there is always work to be done, with no material reward. Only love. She may spend hours tidying up toys and cleaning furniture. At other times she is a multi-tasking machine, a jack of all trades.

A stay-at-home mom never stops. There is always something that needs to be done:

• preparing food

• wash clothes
• cleaning up mess…

Days or even weeks can pass without a conversation with another adult except her partner. Being a full-time stay-at-home mom really is a lot harder than it looks. If it seems like a simple life, think of the daily monotony.

It is of course not a matter of competition. It’s not about who is more tired, who has bigger bags under her eyes or who makes the most sacrifices.

House mothers sometimes work twice as hard

In fact, many mothers work twice as much as everyone else: both away from home and at home. So why not get everyone involved in International Women’s Day celebrations? We are all working women in our own way, right?

Anyway, there is another sad reality behind the discussions about working mothers. Once you are a mother, it can be much more difficult to find a job

People will judge your life without knowing what they are actually talking about. When you hear the testimonials of women who want to go back to a paid job after taking some time to take care of their children, you know enough. That is very difficult.

And of course, if a mother doesn’t find the job she needs, society will condemn her. It’s always wrong. And that’s all because she’s a mother and someone who has chosen a slightly different path.

We are all working women

Women who take care of their children are working women,  whether or not they get paid to do it. 

Whichever path they choose, all mothers deserve respect. All kinds of work are dignified and worthy of respect. We must therefore value all labor.

Caring for others has never been easy and most certainly not today. The responsibility of raising a child is a very difficult thing, and not everyone is up to it. It requires a big heart and a huge dose of patience.

Caring is more than just a word. We often ignore the fact that many people just really want to do that. Though often overlooked, the decision to care for another is a decision based on love.

Also, it is based on affection, unselfishness, dedication and commitment.  On fatigue and exhaustion. And above all, on the sacrifice to always put the children first.

What people don’t realize

What people don’t realize about motherhood is how important it is to both mother and child – and to society.

A child who grows up with the full attention of a parent will lack nothing in his emotional life. And isn’t that something that benefits all of us?