What Moms Do

When people ask me if I work, I proudly say "yes, I'm a stay-at-home mom." Many people don't think moms work, but we do. We actually do many jobs, but we don't work regularly scheduled hours. Our job is pretty much twenty-four hours a day, seven days week; we work on-call all the time. Our pay is low too-- a laugh, or a smile, maybe a "thank you" if we're lucky.

Here are few of the duties my job entails:

Chief domestic engineer: I complete or oversee completion of most household tasks, and this includes: cleaning, vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, doing laundry, washing windows, taking out garbage, and picking and sorting through junk (including mail).

Taxi driver and delivery: I provide rides for children and also their belongings; frequently they forget things. Sometimes their friends also need rides.

Landscape artist: I designed our gardens and now I do most the maintenance including planting, pruning, watering, and deadheading plants. I shovel snow during the winter. Luckily my husband mows the lawn and snowblows the driveway (but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we start sharing these tasks sometime in the future). There is always something to be done outside.

Head caregiver: Basically I take care of everyone, including the dogs. I see to it that people eat proper meals, take baths, and have both socks on. I make sure backpacks are packed, and that my husband the salesman has his tie on before he leaves for work outside our home. I also make sure our dogs don't track in with muddy feet.

Financial wizard: This job involves everything from cutting coupons to comparing prices on groceries by ad cruising. Sometimes it also involves taking a part-time temp job outside the home.

Scheduler and coordinator: I keep track of the appointments and remind people where they have to be and what time they have to be there. Sometimes this task can be a bit of a juggling act.

Seamstress and fashion consultant: I don't like mending clothes, but I will do it if I deem it absolutely necessary. As far as fashion consulting goes, my son really doesn't care about what clothes he wears as long as they're comfortable, but other family members constantly asking me about what colors match and if these pants match this shirt!

General maintenance: Yes, there have been times when I have had to unclog drains and do other less-than-enjoyable tasks. This is a job that just comes with the territory.

Teacher/ tutor: This is be far my most important job. I teach manners, respect, and how to be a good person to my children. I do this every day by what I do and how I do it, and how I interact with others. Oh, by the way, I help with homework too.

Remember to appreciate your mother and all the other mothers who take their job seriously.