SAHM vs. Working Moms – Round 1

The benefits and downfalls of belonging to one of the two groups above have been debated repeatedly over the past decade.  As more and more moms enter the workplace, more and more opinions on the subject creep up out of the woodwork.

And honestly, I’m one of those people who can see both sides of the fence.  I just happen to live on one particular side, and while I may peak over and admire my friends in those seemingly greener pastures, it doesn’t take a lot of real life experience to know that this cow likes it right where she is. 

I have noticed, however, that while I do not find I am any better or worse a mother for choosing to have a career, I am a different kind of Mom.  No place illustrates exactly HOW different I am other than the morning drop off line at the local elementary school.

A day in the life would clearly exemplify my point, but I’m not so sure you can stomach it.  You see, morning around my house is not made of funny television sitcom stuff, or warm, fuzzy loving moments.  Morning in my house is better compared to one of the battle scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean.  A lot of chaos, confusion, and frustration exists, but there are also those redeeming qualities like hope, encouragement, and victory.  But, one kink in the plan and all hell breaks loose.  At the smallest sign of weakness I can and will, “RELEASE THE KRAKEN”.  And then everybody’s going down.

SAHMs definitely do not share my experiences on this front.  And I feel confident in this assumption because nine times out of ten, I’m sitting behind a SAHM when dropping my children off at school in the morning.  When I’m already late, of course.  And my kid just remembered they forgot their homework/book/jacket/backpack on the counter at home.  And I still need to get gas before jumping on the highway.  And it’s raining so I know there is going to be traffic.  Oh, and did I forget to mention my 9:00 am meeting?

And it never, ever fails.  Each and every SAHM follows the same routine.  The SAHM will put her vehicle in park, ease on out (usually in her PJs), walk, extremely slowly I might add, to the rear of her vehicle and open the door for her child.  Then little Jack/Jill slowly, like molasses, pours themselves out of the vehicle and into the loving arms of Mommy.  Sometimes, the SAHM even has to unbuckle the kid’s seatbelt.  The SAHM then hugs their child, because they are little angels of perfection of course, and it’s probably been a full six minutes since they last hugged them.  And it isn’t one of those quick little, “Mommy is in a hurry squeeze and go” hugs.  No, it’s a full on make out session hug with squeezing, kissing and head patting.  After the world’s longest hug is concluded, the SAHM then proceeds to do one of the following: fix the child’s hair, wipe dirt off the child’s face, tie shoe(s), adjust back pack, tuck in shirt, etc….the list can go on forever.  I’ve seen it all. 

After the final inspection is over, the SAHM then has to peel her child off of her once more, and spend the next 45 seconds convincing the child to walk into the front doors of the school alone, because Mommy has to get back in the car.  And sometimes, on those really bad days, the child will almost be in the door, and then will jet back behind the security guard for one last hug from Mommy.  Ugh.

The working moms, however, simply pull up to the curb, turn their heads to semi-see the kids in the back seat, blow some kisses, say those few magical phrases, “Bye kids!  I love you, behave and have a great day!”  All without even putting the car in park.