According to Hilary Rosen, as a house wife I know nothing about the economy because I've "never worked a day in [my] life". Well Hilary, I hate to be the barer of awesome news, but I work my rear end off. And I don't get money for it.
I buy groceries, so I get to see first hand the effect our economy has on our food. Prices have shot up on food since Obama became president. I pay for the gas on my car. I buy clothing for my family. Pay bills! What more do I need to know about the economy? Obviously you don't know much about it, Hilary, or you and the Obama administration would have fixed it by now.
As a stay at home mother I don't get a lunch break, or a coffee break (even though I don't drink coffee), I don't get to take the day off when I'm sick or tired or hungry. The meals I miss are because I'm busy getting snacks or cleaning up yet another spilled mess. Then when it's bed time, I'm not actually done working. There's still washing dishes and vacuuming and picking up toys that were left out. When I do get to go to bed, I'm on call. I get woken up in the middle of the night by either crying (someone lost their pacifier or had a nightmare) or my five year old daughter has decided she needs to announce to me that she has to use the potty. And when they're sick, then I'm usually up with them until they fall asleep. Checking on them every so often when they catch croup. Nights spent worrying on how they'll do.
And then there are the skill requirements needed for the job. Math, spelling, reading, writing, use of a computer, how to tie shoe laces, cooking, cleaning, home decorating. There are more requirements in being a housewife than any other job out there.
That doesn't include the volunteer work I do at my church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". I'm the Young Women President. I plan activities, teach sunday school lessons, practice crafts at home to make sure they'll work out on our wednesday night activities. Hold meetings with the rest of my presidency to make sure we are doing all we can for our girls.
Do I get paid? Yes. Maybe I don't get paid with money, but seeing my children happy and my husband arriving home in a good mood is all the payment I need. The fact that they help me around the house when I have too much to do, is my bonus at the end of the day. And when I do my church duties, I am rewarded with the excitement they feel and when they all return the following week and show up on Sunday.
So Hilary Rosen. YES WE DO WORK! We aren't rich with money, but we are rich with the craziness of our children. And you do NOT have to have money to be a housewife! I say all this because someone has to be a voice to women everywhere and housewives everywhere. I am both of those and I am proud of it!
