What do SAHWs do?

[aliki]

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.)

Comments

[dolphingirl.livejournal.com]

I agree with the last paragraph. The reason I'd never date a doctor is because all of the doctors I grew up around had a wife who did everything for them, since they generally didn't have time for anything but work. The wives did everything from taking care of the house (including yard work and repairs), to handling all of the household paperwork, making any phone calls that were needed, picking up dry cleaning and whatever random crap their husbands ever needed from the store, etc. Often they'd end up doing something work-related for the husband as well. Even without kids, that shit can take up your whole day. Generally the wife could have a career, but for the sake of their partnership they've decided it's more important to both of them that she takes care of all of those things.