I have a conundrum for you all and would like your help in solving it. Here it is:
Why is it that when I watch my own children, clean my own house, make dinner for my own family, or teach my own children the people don’t consider me to have a “real job” or be contributing economically? Yet if I was to watch someone else’s children, clean someone else’s house, make someone else’s dinner, or teach someone else’s children people would consider it a “real job” and would easily admit that I was contributing economically.
Does that seem ridiculous to anyone else?
Maybe I should start having my family write me a paycheck every month. Then maybe that would make the work I do in my home “worthwhile” in the eyes of the world?
How much do you think I’d be worth each month as a mother and a wife?
I just read that Salary.com puts out an annual report on what the economic contribution of mothers is. They surveyed thousands of mothers in the US and Canada and chose the top 10 “mom job functions” that mother reported doing daily and matched them to what people doing those jobs for “real jobs” got paid. The ten jobs they based their calculations off of were– laundry machine operator, janitor, van driver, computer operator, housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, chief executive officer, psychologist, and facilities manager.
For 2010 they found that the average stay-at-home mother puts in a 99 hour work week and that a working mother puts in 96 hour work week when you combined her full-time job and her mom hours. Based on what this work load would be worth on the “real” economic market they figured that to compensate a stay-at-home mother for the work she does in her home would be an annual salary of $117,856 and for a working mother it would be an additional $71,860 above her regular salary.
That would be $9,821 a month!
I’m starting to think that my family probably wouldn’t be able to afford me.
Ahhh, motherhood. We get paid with poopy diapers, snuggles, whines, smiles, arguing, dancing, disobedience, and laughter. I exhausted! 🙂
that is so crazy! i believe though. it is so interesting that the most holy of work we can do, is so underpaid and under acknowledged by the world. its value is hidden, just like all holy things. kept sacred by the Lord.
I'm lovin this post. And yep, I, too, think it's totally ridiculous, sista. I once had someone (bless their heart) call me a gold digger after they found out I was a stay at home mom. No offense taken because we mothers know that's not where the money is at.
I love you, Heather. 🙂
When I think of all the unappreciated unpaid good work that mothers do, I remember that not a single good deed will go unrewarded by Heavenly Father. Even if it was just giving a child a cup of water to drink in Jesus's name, mothers will in nowise lose their reward.
OH wow, my family in no way can afford me! LOL!
My salary is priceless. Last week my 3 year old boy, out of the blue, paused durring his play and said "Mama, you make me happy".
Those sweet moments fill me with joy.
I love this. I think that SO often, people don't realize just how hard it is to be a stay-at-home mom. And how much work it entails. And how important it is.
Your post reminded me of this great article I read recently, which articulates really well just why it is that moms are so busy, and why our job is so important:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html
A woman/wife/mother, we are all one in Christ. What is the worth of a good wife, a good mother,a good woman. We are all familiar with Proverbs 31.
Talking points
A woman's worth: Proverbs 31:10-11;25-27;30-31
10Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
***
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everthing in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
*****
28 Her children stand and bless her.Her husband praises her
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
I work 5 days a week in order to help support my husband, who also works. I have sometimes looked at my annual salaries over the years, and I have felt grossly under paid.I have even complained, and lobbied for raises,educated myself in new techniques to compliment my postition. I have even quit and found new jobs. I came to my own conclusion, that I am worth much in the eyes of my heavenly father. My husband appreciates all that I do, He stands up to give me praise. We are worth more than a dollar amount. We are worth more than rubies.