Parenting Help for Momss in Identity Crisis
Parenting Tips for Stay at Home Moms Asked What They Do for a Livin
May 17, 2009
The non-paying career as a stay at home mom is complicated. A lot more goes with a job than just a salary. Working bestows a sense of identity and a feeling of belonging. The paycheck can attach a monetary value to a person’s worth, and as everyone knows, money talks. Here are some parenting tips to help stay at home moms speak up when money’s no longer doing their talking.
Parenting Help, Project Confidence by Being Ready
The inevitable question may catch stay at home moms off guard at the neighbors’ backyard bar-b-que mixer, or maybe during their next plane ride beside a stranger. Asking what people do for a living seems to come in second only to asking their names. Since stay at home moms know the question’s coming, they should get ready.
It’s handy to practice an answer that belies confidence. Projecting confidence from the start will lead to a much smoother course for the conversation.
Parenting Advice, Project Confidence with Openness
If stay at home moms feel guilty about a lack of earnings or are having difficulty defining their new role, questions about what they do for a living can feel intrusive. In reality though, most people ask the question not to pry but simply to break the ice.
An answer such as, “I left a teaching career three years ago to stay home with my children,” will provide plenty of room for the conversation to develop. Stay at home moms can remember the interviewer probably only wants to discover what they’re interested in and passionate about.
Parenting Help, Don’t Defend the Choice to Stay Home
When caught off guard, stay at home moms may feel the need to justify their role with a rambling answer such as, “It’s the most rewarding thing I could ever do. Of course, I miss the six figure salary, but there’s no dollar amount in the world worth snuggling with my kids in the morning and being there for all their ups and downs.” Unfortunately, even though they mean every word they’re saying, the answer can’t help bringing to mind Shakespeare’s famous admonishment, “The lady doth protest too much.” A simple response such as, “I enjoy being available for my kids during the day” will convey confidence and contentment much more powerfully. If offered a follow-up question such as, “Isn’t that a rewarding opportunity?”, stay at home moms can agree and express themselves without sounding like their own cheerleaders.
Parenting Tips, Stay at home Moms aren’t Trapped at Home
Stay at home moms who love being home with their children, but are particularly troubled by the question about what they do for a living, may want to take the answer into their own hands. Staying home and working don’t have to be mutually exclusive. As children get older, moms frequently explore ways of using their talents and background experience to earn money from their homes.
Once stay at home moms take time to reflect on their answer, they won’t have to dread that all too familiar question any longer. Their work is worthwhile and learning how to convey this with assurance is just one of the hurdles moms need to jump in this very challenging role. To learn more, women can read about parenting advice for the emotional and financial budgeting adjustments stay-at-home moms will face during their transition from the workplace.
For a little fun, moms can find out just how much their services are worth in today's market at the Mom Salary Wizard at Salary.com!
