What about the Dads?

To the mom who invites my son over for after-school playdates while I work: Thank you. It is so hard for us to reciprocate, except on weekends, and it means so much to my son to develop these friendships. And he loves to ride the bus sometimes, rather than heading straight to SACC. So thank you.

To the Military Mom: thank you for serving so our children can grow up free in this country. And thank you for setting an example well worth following so we'll have future generations who know freedom is worth defending.

I don't have a specific mom to compliment, but one of the things that I've found to be really fun as a parent is making friends with other parents. We all have our own styles and challenges and ways of dealing with things, but we're all getting the job done as best we can. It's a gift to be able to learn from their examples.

To the experienced SAHMs - thank you from a new SAHM for all the kind words, tips and insight on what it is really like to be a SAHM today.

To the grandmother on the metro - thank you for the stories of your own children that you shared (my DD reminded her of her own DD). It was a pleasure to meet you.

And to the SAHD - thank you for reminding us (all, not just me) that dads are great parents too.

Thanks to my parents who are rocking grandparents and to my husband who manages to keep the fun going in our house.

Thank you to the gentleman who gave up his seat to go sit with his two girls on the Cabin John Train yesterday (around 4pm) so that my dad could ride with us. You provided a very good example of grownups being considerate to your two girls and to mine. That was very kind of you (esp. since the train was packed!)

Parents: Thank you for shoving your kids outside to play and getting them out and away from overexposure to electronic devices.

A huge thank you to many of the parents I know that are honest and fair concerning parenting and their children, and not giving into societal whims. Sometimes you have to step in to help your kids and other times you have let them fight their own battles. Sometimes you have to admit your child is wrong and let them pay the price of being wrong, but other times be ready to step in if they are being wronged. Sometimes you have to punish even when it is not convenient and other times you have to let it go. It's a delicate balance but it does not need to be scrutinized ad nauseum.

Lastly, a thanks to moms and dads that periodically let their kids eat junk food, stay up too late, get dirty, spin around till they feel sick, perform plays and skits with their friends and tear up your basement, invite friends over for dinner and eat on the curb (why this is popular now, I do not know), and generally let their kids be kids, they are not little adults!

Sorry. I know you want positive feedback, but really, Dr. Laura can BITE ME. I am a SAHM and don't need an apologist, and I wouldn't pick her for the role anyway if she was the last woman on earth. And by the way, she's not a SAHM and wasn't.

I get that there are people out there who are uncomfortable with their choices or who are listening to outside voices when it comes to their decisions. My advice is to stop listening, grow a spine, and live your life the way you want, regardless of any naysayers you happen to meet. Assuming you're operating within the bounds of the law, I'm sure you're a decent parent, maybe even better than most.

Thanks to all the people who actually realize that what we do IS a full-time job and give us SAHMs the respect we deserve. Raising children, contrary to popular belief, IS a real job, especially when you add homeschooling to the mix, and there's no sick leave, no vacation time, and no monetary pay (unless you count the times when somebody leaves change in their pockets at laundry time). Yet it is the most important job in the world, because we are responsible for shaping and instilling our values into our children and making sure they become responsible, self-sufficient adults. So again, to those people that realize that, I give my heartfelt thanks, and encourage you to spread the word!

WorkingmomX, The irony is you are espousing exactly what Dr Laura writes and talks about.

workingmomX I totally agree with you. I have heard her give some of the worst advice, and people listen to her wholeheartedly. It's sad, given that, as you said, she is not a stay at home mom.

What she does is demonize WOHMs. I do not want someone like that advocating for me - she can and should have good things to say about both sides (Her message COULD be more positive as in - her opinion may be that it is best to stay at home with the child(ren) but that she understands the other side - but she does not).

dragondancer -- Why do you need the recognition of other people knowing your job is sometimes hard, that it sometimes sucks out loud, that it's thankless and poorly paid? This is what I'm talking about, I just don't understand why you give a rat's a$$ what other people think about your choices.

Thank you to the mom who walks her baby down our street. The baby is learning to walk and the mom allows the baby to toddle ahead, fall, and then get back up. She is teaching her baby to be independent and confident in her growth, knowing her mom will be there regardless. It is beautiful to see such a simple act that is full of love and responsibility.

Thank you foster parents who selflessly open your homes and hearts to children in need.

WorkingmomX...what Cheekymonkey said! Why do you feel the need to demean my decision to take child-rearing seriously and ignore the fact that it is a job in itself like Dr. Laura said?

And I never thought I'd ever agree with Dr. Laura about ANYTHING, but on this topic, she DOES have a valid point! Ironic, no?