Many of those who opt out of jobs to raise their children often face a mix of curiosity, jealousy and even disdain in comments that range from the silly to cruel
Six Things Never to Say to a Stay-at-Home Parent
Whether or not to stay home is a tough choice many parents have to make, and those who opt out of jobs to raise their children often face a mix of curiosity, jealousy and even disdain in comments that range from the silly to cruel.
Whether or not to stay home is a tough choice many parents have to make, and those who opt out of jobs to raise their children often face a mix of curiosity, jealousy and even disdain in comments that range from the silly to cruel.
It’s a personal choice, but yet people sometimes feel they have the right to pass comment.
So here’s a few typical phrases we’ve overheard and discovered from our research.
What do you do with all that free time?
Manicures, pedicures, the gym and lots of day time TV right folks? Eh … no! Our stay a home parents tell us there’s hardly time to use the bathroom!
Manicures, pedicures, the gym and lots of day time TV right folks? Eh … no! Our stay a home parents tell us there’s hardly time to use the bathroom!
It must be nice not to have to work.
Being an at-home parent qualifies as a full-time job. There’s no time in the schedule for Tupperware parties and Good Morning on the TV. Our parent reporters tell us there is plenty of time reading to their children, helping with homework and ferrying them to music classes, sports, language lessons and more.
Being an at-home parent qualifies as a full-time job. There’s no time in the schedule for Tupperware parties and Good Morning on the TV. Our parent reporters tell us there is plenty of time reading to their children, helping with homework and ferrying them to music classes, sports, language lessons and more.
If you’re tired, why don’t you nap when the baby does?”
Hearing the old “nap when the baby does” suggestion sends the parents we spoke to into a tail spin!
It’s a smart plan in theory, but people who haven’t stayed home with an infant overlook the downsides to mid-day sleepy times. They tell us the dishwasher doesn’t get emptied, the food doesn’t get cooked, the laundry doesn’t get done etc…
Hearing the old “nap when the baby does” suggestion sends the parents we spoke to into a tail spin!
It’s a smart plan in theory, but people who haven’t stayed home with an infant overlook the downsides to mid-day sleepy times. They tell us the dishwasher doesn’t get emptied, the food doesn’t get cooked, the laundry doesn’t get done etc…
Your other half must do really well. I couldn’t afford to stay home!
However hefty a couple’s savings account balance is, a comment about the family’s cash flow can rub someone the wrong way instantly. Besides, that assumption is likely untrue. Parents make calculated and tough choices. The parents we spoke to spoke of making the decision to live a more frugal lifestyle.
However hefty a couple’s savings account balance is, a comment about the family’s cash flow can rub someone the wrong way instantly. Besides, that assumption is likely untrue. Parents make calculated and tough choices. The parents we spoke to spoke of making the decision to live a more frugal lifestyle.
I could never do what you do. I don’t know what I’d do without adult conversation.
That one really got up some of our parent’s noses. They are not the only ones on the planet who stay at home with their children during 9-5. They also have such a hectic schedule with their own kids agenda’s that they meet lots of other like- minded adults and “manage just fine” one parent said.
When do you plan to return to your job?
That phrase implies all parents have a solid plan mapped out, when in reality, this economy leaves many people struggling to figure out tomorrow. Our interviewees who’ve put their careers on hold worry about whether they’ll be able to get a job when they’re ready to return to the workplace said they don’t need someone reminding them that the future’s uncertain.
Have you ever asked, or have you ever been asked any of these questions?
That phrase implies all parents have a solid plan mapped out, when in reality, this economy leaves many people struggling to figure out tomorrow. Our interviewees who’ve put their careers on hold worry about whether they’ll be able to get a job when they’re ready to return to the workplace said they don’t need someone reminding them that the future’s uncertain.
Have you ever asked, or have you ever been asked any of these questions?
