Work At Home Mom: Ideology Versus Reality

I was raised by a work at home mom (my mom has had her own accounting business for 40+ years) and, to me, it was the ideal situation if I ever became a mom. I'd get to spend time with my kids and be there for special school days or to volunteer but I'd also get to help make money for the household and retain a little of my pre-kid independence. And I'm thrilled to say that, for the most part, I'm incredibly happy to be a WAHM. Sure, it's exhausting and demanding and I routinely forget to brush my teeth, but, all in all, I like it. However, I have noticed that when you tell people that you're a mom who works from home – they… really DO NOT get it. It's funny to me to hear what people think WAHMs do (compared to what we actually do) so I've come up with this little graphic to show you what it's like to be a Work At Home Mom: Ideology Versus Reality.

I was raised by a work at home mom (my mom has had her own accounting business for 40+ years) and, to me, it was the ideal situation if I ever became a mom. I'd get to spend time with my kids and be there for special school days or to volunteer but I'd also get to help make money for the household and retain a little of my pre-kid independence. And I'm thrilled to say that, for the most part, I'm incredibly happy to be a WAHM. Sure, it's exhausting and demanding and I routinely forget to brush my teeth, but, all in all, I like it. However, I have noticed that when you tell people that you're a mom who works from home – they… really DO NOT get it. It's funny to me to hear what people think WAHMs do (compared to what we actually do) so I've come up with this little graphic to show you what it's like to be a Work At Home Mom: Ideology Versus Reality.

Work At Home Mom: Ideology Versus Reality

I’ll shower every day.

I’ll wear professional clothes every day and do my hair/make-up.

I’ll take the time to make healthy meals from scratch each day.

I’ll clean my house.

I’ll be in such great shape since I can go to the gym!

I’ll take breaks to enjoy playing with my kids.

I’ll plan educational activities for my kids.

It’ll be so nice to have time on my own.

I love that I won’t have to make water cooler chit chat anymore.

I’ll only listen to NPR or classical music while I work.

I forgot to brush my teeth.

I’ve worn these yoga pants four days in a row and they smell.

I ate a bag of popcorn I found under the couch for breakfast.

Everything is sticky. Does typing count as cardio?

Playing dolls is so F-ing boring!

All TV and tablets ALL THE TIME.

I AM NEVER ALONE. EVER.

I just had an embarrassingly long conversation with my cat.

I have reality TV on all day in the background.

Any of you WAHMs and wanna chime in?