I am a working mom. Sorta good career, sole supporter of my family kind of working mom. I work "like a man." I've always been proud to be a working mom -- figuring people look at me and say "hey, look at her -- she works, takes care of her house, raises her son, and is a very independepent woman -- bravo!"
However, today I did not work. I took a day off to go to my son's 8th grade graduation ceremony, and I ran into lots of moms that I never see -- because I am working. Here's what I think I realized -- I think the stay at home moms have FUN while I am working. Apparently they play tennis, go shopping, go out for lunch, go to the gym, and now that it's summer, they can sit by the pool and go to the beach. So perhaps what people really say about me is -- "look at her -- big sucker, working her ass off to pay the bills while the smart moms go out and play." Is that what they are really saying? Have I been kidding myself all of these years?
Note to the stay at home moms -- good for you! You are clearly smarter and having more fun than I am -- I am jealous! I don't think I am better because I work. I think maybe I could have been good at tennis and going out for lunch, but, sadly, I will never know.
I have one more day off before I head back to work on Wednesday, and truth be told, I really do like to work. I'll be happy to get back to work, to commute and sit in traffic, and have my regular day where I try to fit 36 hours worth of work and chores into a 24 hour day. But from now on when I sit through a meeting, I think my mind just might wander to the thoughts of a long relaxing lunch and a game of tennis...