SAHM shut out of take kids to work day
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- April
- 24
Does a stay-at-home parent work? Or do they sit around all day watching TV? That seems to be the opinion of a superintendent of schools in Alabama who refused to allow a stay-at-home mom and her daughter to participate in Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day. He said that if stay-at-home parents participated, they would probably just let the kids watch TV all day.
I was so incensed after I read about homemaker Sandra Thompson on Salon.com, that I had to share it with you. You can also read another story about the topic on Womanist Musings and at this Alabama news station.
I imagine Thompson wanted to share skills, including how she chooses nutritional meals for her family of three kids, balances the household budget, keeps the house clean and tidy, manages everyone’s schedule, etc. These are complex tasks. (I know because I’m always falling behind in all of them.) Having stay-at-home parents participate in the event, which was held yesterday, is even encouraged by the organization that sponsors Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work. The Web site has suggested activities like having the kids assist with making lunch and dinner, food shopping and similar tasks.
But the school’s chief told homemaker Sandra Thompson that her job was not “professional” enough. Now, first of all, what about all the parents who work in jobs like Wal-Mart cashier, waitress/waiter, wallpaper hanger, etc. Are they not allowed to participate because they are not “professional” enough?
I personally am angry about this because of the message it sends to Thompson’s children about the value of their mother’s chosen work. The superintendent even had the nerve to say Thompon’s job was important, that he admires it and that his own wife stays home with their children. What a double standard! It’s a great choice, but heaven forbid we should use it as an example to our sons and daughters.
In my life as parent and as a newspaper reporter, I meet lots of people who are former professionals who have given up careers in law, on Wall Street, in business and even medicine to be with their kids full time. I admire stay-at-home parents tremendously. (And, truth be told, often wish I could be one.)
I think we’ve amply seen in the case of Madlyn Primoff of Scarsdale — the mother who ordered her two daughters out of the car for fighting and ended up arrested for child endangerment — that being a lawyer or other “professional” doesn’t mean you are necessarily a great example to your kids.
What do you think? Should stay-at-home parents be encouraged to participate in Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day? If you are a SAHM or SAHD, would you keep your child home for the event to show what you do for your family?
This entry was posted
on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 1:37 pm by Julie Moran Alterio.
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What happens when a parent telecommutes?
On both fronts i cant do this take you kid to work day. i work out of state sometimes and not home until the weekend. this week i happen to be telecommuting.
stay at home parent still works. what the hell is Home Ec in school then?
I laugh sometimes when my kids come home and they have had home and careers. i have taught many of them how to cook clean and sew etc. i find it amusing on what they teach in school.
its a double standard .. just like how men are treated as parents.