Stay-At-Home Moms

Hi,

I'm not a SAHM yet (baby due April 2!), but I already got my first snarky criticism about my decision to stay home! I had been warned in books and on boards, but I thought "no one I know would say something snippy to me. My friends are nice people."

Well, I don't think she meant to, but when I told one of my oldest dearest girlfriends that I would be staying home and hopefully (gasp) homeschooling, it didn't go very well.

She mostly just clammed up, which is what she does when she disagrees with what someone is saying. Then she warned me that I'd be bored as a SAHM (I thought she knew me better than that).

When that didn't convince me, she said something about how I have a choice and most people don't. (I disagree with that. I mean, DH and I have been planning and saving for this since we got engaged. If we can do it, most people can.)

I guess this will be the first of many SAHM slams. And all I can do is be confident in my decisions and take each day as it comes.

So far, though, it's even. The other old, dear friend I told has been very supportive and complimented me on my decisions.

I just read Rachecl Campos Duffy's "Stay Home Stay Happy" and am about to start Dr. Laura's "In Praise of Stay at Home Moms."  If you know of any other good SAHM books I can read while waiting for baby, please let me know.

Thanks!

Yea, you have a choice and your choice is to stay home.

I used to feel sorry for the women that had to give up their careers to stay home but once about 5 months pg with my first, I realized that those that GET to stay home are the lucky ones.

Anyway, chalk this up to a long list of comments that fall under "my uterus, my rules" Welcome!

"my uterus, my rules" Hahaha...I'll remember that!

I think what she said about most people not having a choice and what you said about being lucky don't really apply to me. A lot of planning and sacrifice has gone into this for us, since long before DH and I ever met. 

The thing is, this friend has been right by my side since I was a teenager, and I know she knows all that. I wonder if she's just programmed to recoil at the thought of SAHMs and homeschooling. I'm looking forward to changing her mind.

<edit - type-o>

I wouldn't be where I am today if I couldn't "go with the flow"! In fact, that's my mantra, and it's been very good to me. :o)