Parents Talk: Does a Stay-at-Home-Mom 'Work?'

Jody Gifford (Editor) April 16, 2012 at 12:28 pm

I'm going to take a guess and say that Hilary Rosen has never been a stay-at-home mom. Having stayed at home with my three children, I can tell you that it's all work, all the time. And suggesting that because we don't work outside the home, we don't understand economics is just wrong. When you are a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom, you handle almost every aspect of the home as if it's a business. In fact, stay-at-home moms probably know the value of a dollar even more so than someone who works because we're working with one income to support our family.
Rosen's comments were offensive and I would guess I'm not the only mom who thought so.

Deb Belt (Editor) April 16, 2012 at 01:15 pm

Staying home with five boys would be like being a drill sergeant/nurse/teacher/coach AND mom all in one. So I'm sure Ann Romney worked. But, I question just what she knows about economics of everyday Americans given her family's wealth. Somehow I don't think she made her boys wear hand-me-downs until they were ragged or shopped clearance sales at Target to clothe her kids. And I know lots of moms who do that, and work a low-paying job outside the home to bring in cash.

Emily C April 16, 2012 at 02:40 pm

Of course a stay at home mom works! But I don't think this kind of conversation gets us anywhere, and it's really unfortunate that it's taking place so prominently right now. Parenting is hard, and it is a 24/7/365 gig. That's just the reality of the lifestyle parents have chosen. Whether or not one parent works harder or contributes more than another isn't an argument that makes any sense because it's so heavily dependent on an individual's values - both the judger and the judgee. In my opinion, we're all best served by not touching this one with a 10-foot pole, and respecting each others' choices even when they differ from our own.

Anne Carothers-Kay April 16, 2012 at 03:25 pm

Well said Emily!

Jody Gifford (Editor) April 16, 2012 at 04:02 pm

Deb, I agree with the idea that Ann Romney may not have the same perspective on finances as say, a middle-class stay-at-home mom now but I would bet there was a time early in Mitt's career when they did struggle to make ends meet. That's not necessarily the issue I have with Rosen's comment. She didn't approach the argument in that way. Instead she said Ann Romney has "never worked a day in her life." That's where I differ. As a stay-at-home mom, Ann Romney has probably worked every day of her life.

Rita K Brady April 16, 2012 at 05:45 pm

I am a mother and grandmother of 12. but am very interested in children's well being. I know how much work is involved in raising children and it is a 24/7/365 gig but well worth it ! No matter if a mother works outside of the home or not, she works hard-
perhaps even harder to meet the family's needs. God bless mothers !

Deb Belt (Editor) April 16, 2012 at 06:42 pm

Perfectly said, Emily. There is no harder job than being a parent and Rosen stepped in it when she judged.

Jen April 17, 2012 at 11:12 am

This whole debate is actually not about stay at home moms vs. working moms. What Hilary Rosen was trying to point out was that Ann Romney may have been a "stay at home" mom, but that she was not in touch with "regular" women. Ann herself was quoted saying something about managing her staff at several different homes being hard work. This is not the life of a typical stay at home mom. Most stay at home mom's do not have "staff" to help them cook, shop, care for the children, etc. Do I know whether or not Ann Romney has worked a day in her life? No. But I suspect she has little in common with my job as a stay at home mom. Again, this is not a stay at home vs. working...although I think that is how the GOP chose to spin it.
All moms work hard, that is when they are the ones actually doing the work.

David Leonard April 17, 2012 at 12:30 pm

As recently as January, Mitt Romney said that mothers receiving government assistance, even if they had children as young as two years old, should be required to have at least a part time job so they would learn the dignity of work.