![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
What do SAHWs do?
Note: NOT stay-at-home-moms but rather stay-at-home-wives.
I think I posted a rant about this a few years ago, so I wont rehash how I feel that people, regardless of their gender, need to find something productive to do with their lives, something they feel passionate about, something that enriches their community. I cringe at the line: "well, my husband makes enough for us to live comfortably on one income" because is that what a job is to you? Shouldn't you feel excited to go to work? Aren't you disturbed that you haven't found something in your life that makes you wake up in the morning and just want to go out and do it? Don't you feel inadequate by being defined as simply "a wife"? Don't you want to volunteer with a non-profit organization, take up a hobby like photography, become a mother? JUST SAYING.
The whole "Real Housewives of Whatever Town" is the epitome of how lethargic (not sure that's even the right word to describe them) and pointless their lives are: endless days of facials, pedicures, shopping, and gossiping. Is that what a whole generation of girls envy and look forward to when they become SAHWs?
This workaholic actually went to work yesterday. (I defensively said to Brian: "Just for 30 minutes, and it was sort of on the way to the beach with the dog!").
Today, I started cooking the Sauerbraten in the crockpot. I got a pedicure. I walked the dog for an hour. I went to four different stores and bought six outfits for Peanut off the clearance racks for $10. I ironed Brian's work clothes. I watched hours of daytime TV.
I miss work. I really love teaching. I miss the students. I miss being productive.
I can't wait to be a mother.
My mom arrives from Taiwan on Monday night! (She'll be here for two months to help me and Peanut out.)
I think I posted a rant about this a few years ago, so I wont rehash how I feel that people, regardless of their gender, need to find something productive to do with their lives, something they feel passionate about, something that enriches their community. I cringe at the line: "well, my husband makes enough for us to live comfortably on one income" because is that what a job is to you? Shouldn't you feel excited to go to work? Aren't you disturbed that you haven't found something in your life that makes you wake up in the morning and just want to go out and do it? Don't you feel inadequate by being defined as simply "a wife"? Don't you want to volunteer with a non-profit organization, take up a hobby like photography, become a mother? JUST SAYING.
The whole "Real Housewives of Whatever Town" is the epitome of how lethargic (not sure that's even the right word to describe them) and pointless their lives are: endless days of facials, pedicures, shopping, and gossiping. Is that what a whole generation of girls envy and look forward to when they become SAHWs?
This workaholic actually went to work yesterday. (I defensively said to Brian: "Just for 30 minutes, and it was sort of on the way to the beach with the dog!").
Today, I started cooking the Sauerbraten in the crockpot. I got a pedicure. I walked the dog for an hour. I went to four different stores and bought six outfits for Peanut off the clearance racks for $10. I ironed Brian's work clothes. I watched hours of daytime TV.
I miss work. I really love teaching. I miss the students. I miss being productive.
I can't wait to be a mother.
My mom arrives from Taiwan on Monday night! (She'll be here for two months to help me and Peanut out.)
no subject
How many hours in a day could household chores and cooking possibly take up in a day, and for how many days of the week? I've been off all week, and honestly, you don't do that much cleaning/cooking in a 40-hour work week!
no subject
If I had a bigger house, it would require a lot more upkeep, for sure. A one-bedroom apartment, no, not a 40 hour job. But there's also laundry, grocery shopping, errands, bills, maintenance (if you own), all kinds of stuff I wish I had time for!
I'm just saying I don't really think it's fair to say someone else's choice should make them feel inadequate, if that IS the thing they're passionate about. There are still a lot of women out there that feel they should serve their husband and take care of him. You and I might not agree with that sentiment, but if it works for them (and they are, most importantly, happy and fulfilled in that life, then more power to them.
no subject
What I mean is, Brian and I both work full-time jobs, and I still cook about 5 dinners a week, we do laundry, grocery shopping, errands, bills, and we still own a house (on top of our 2-bedroom apartment) so we have to do maintenance/repairs as landlords.
If they are passionate about cleaning/housekeeping, why not volunteer as an aide for the elderly? Or help at at a Veterans Hospital? Soup kitchen? The homeless shelter? They certainly could use volunteers who are passionate about such things. We'll have to agree to disagree on the subject, I suppose, because I just feel there should more purpose to anyone's life than serving and caring for a significant other; some aspect of giving back, charity, and volunteerism.