Sunday, September 5, 2010

thank heaven for SAHMs

A guest appearance at Luca's classroom for Valentine's day. 

School is starting and so is school life.

The classroom is filled with little children and the activities begin. There are special days, like Halloween, Valentine's, Mardi Gras and April Fool's for which there are lively events involving food, and themed crafts. There are rehearsals for quarterly forums, and field trips to the aquarium and museum. The buzz of the school year is exciting and I love the experiences and memories that it creates for Luca.

While I can volunteer to support those activities whenever the volunteering does not require me to be physically present during work hours, my contributions are rather limited. I can drop off homemade cookies, or purchase decorations, send an email to everyone, or manage a class website. My heart sinks when Luca goes off on his first field trip and I can't go along, or when a Halloween picnic takes place and I miss the costume parade (imagine all the cuteness together in one place with all those toddlers dressed up!).

And, just as my heart sinks a little, I also sigh in relief and thank heaven for SAHMs who devote a significant amount of time from their very busy lives to making all those special things happen for Luca. I also thank heaven for the fact that I've never heard a snide comment on their part for carrying a big part of the load, and they express gratitude over my attempts to pitch in. I'm pretty sure I will not be able to return the kindness in the same way, but I do send them positive thoughts, thankful sighs of relief and admiration.

24 comments:

  1. What a sweet post Licia. We are all stronger and better for our children when we work together as Moms. So whether you are there physically or do things at home to help out, it ALL matters :)

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  2. Yes, yes, yes! I sometimes feel like SAHMs are such a big help. I really appreciate them and, as you said, I also really appreciate that they never make a comment about it.

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  3. I just feel so thankful for the partnership. It's tough to make the choice to work outside of the home or to be a stay at home mom, and partnering with each other to make it work makes us women stronger.

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  4. This is how it should be. Hopefully this whole supporting other moms is infectious and we can all try help children and parents succeed. And what a nice way for you to say thank you.

    visiting from SITS

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  5. I think it's wonderful you have formed this kind of comraderie with the other moms out there, and I'm sure that any effort--no matter how great or small--is well appreciated :)

    PS: I'm your newest follower.

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  6. Congratulations (again - I commented on another post) on your SITS Day!

    What a great post! It's so lovely to hear such a positive take on what is often seen as a 'them vs. me' relationship. I love that you've found the good that both types of moms bring to the situation and how moms who work outside the home do have something to offer, just as stay at home or work at home moms. I appreciate that you are thankful for what they offer and that you also see that you are able to bring something helpful as well.

    Working together toward a common goal is always much more fun than a tug of war. Then again, this is something you know well from your profession.

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  7. I think this is a beautiful thought. Too often as moms we feel jealousy of what other moms have. Instead you found gratitude and a way to enjoy what each has to contribute. It was quite refreshing.

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  8. Happy SITS Day! From a SAHM, we really appreciate it when moms that work try their best to contribute at school. We do see that as a great effort and appreciate it. We all have different talents and can contribute in some way.

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  9. Happy SITS day...what a lovely post! I am a former working mom turned SAHM.... so I can value both sides and appreciate how hard it is to walk in the other's shoes. Have a great day!

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  10. This is a sweet post. It's refreshing to read a post about working moms & SAHMs appreciating each other.

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  11. Love this post I used to be a working mom... I completely understand your point. But seems like you are doing a great JOB!

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  12. I agree. very nice to hear that ya'll are able to work together and have respect for each others roles. I am so happy to read this post because I homeschool so the ladies at school aren't a problem but when I meet strangers and they find out I am sahm they are often quick to assume that I am lazy, etc. I wish more people in society had your disposition and could acknowledge the fact that both roles are respectable and valuable. Moms have enough to deal with on a daily basis without having to go around defending themselves to everyone they meet...life could be so much better if people spent their time focusing on performing their roles to that best of their ability rather than judging people who have different a different one. Very happy to have found your blog! Btw if you don't mind where are you from? I am from La and saw you mention Mardi Gras, so I was just curious...

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  13. What a great post! I too am SOOO thankful for the moms who are home. The one's who pick my kiddo up to play after school, and the one's who are at every class party! YAY for them =) I am kinda...no very jealous =)

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  14. Love this post!! You usually hear things about the debate between SAHM and working moms and WHO is better and this was so refreshing and how it should be. We should all support each other in whatever role we play as moms. I am lucky now in that I have a job where I only have to work a couple of days a week but I still miss those fun field trips and class parties but I never thought about it like you did. I always just felt bad for myself and my kids that I can't always do their activities at school....not even thinking about how great it is to have other moms to make those events great!! Thanks for putting that in perspective:-)

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  15. "It takes a village to raise a child."

    The love and support of extended family is invaluable. When I say "extended family," I include the network of parents so closely involved in every walk of my sons' lives. School, band, gymnastics, karate...the commitment and enthusiasm of many involved in these groups reaches far beyond amazing.

    Thank you for a wonderful post that reminds me of my own eternal gratitude!

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  16. I am a SAHM. But I also appreciate working moms too! (((HUGS)))

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  17. Happy SITS day :) This is beautifully said. Thank you :)

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  18. Congrats on your SITS feature! I love this post because it's nice to know we can all help each other out. I'm a SAHM whose on the PTO and tries to help out in the class as often as I can and it's good to know that my efforts can help all kids and not just my own. We all play different roles in our communites and each role is important :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    http://acreativemomma.blogspot.com/

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  19. I never pictured myself a SAHM, but somehow I became one. I'm not sure if I'll still be able to be in this position when my babies go to school... But if so, I will accept the challenge of helping out at school.

    visiting from SITS.

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  20. What a lovely post.

    I am not yet at the preschool stage with my little one but do meet ups and play groups and am a firm believer in bringing homemade goods and doing all I can to help working mamas who already have a limited amount of time with their little ones.

    From all us SAHM's, thank you for this little shout out. It truly melts my heart to feel appreciated in this way, especially as we do not bring home the bacon or contribute to society in ways that many working mamas do.

    Thank you for what you do as well!

    Have a glorious day and Happy SITS day!

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  21. I have just found you via SITS and am so glad I read this post. I have just decided to stay at home after 8 years working as a high school teacher. I felt it was time for me to give back to the community by volunteering at my kids' school and I am so glad I did. You are right, we are partnership together and if we all remember that the world will indeed be a better place for our kids.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  22. I think stay at home moms are just amazing. They do so much! And they are there for our babies on field trips and class parties when we can't be! Thank God for stay at home moms!

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  23. Love your attitude of appreciation and Moms helping moms out. Fabulous.

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