Suzie Homemaker vs. the 9 to 5 Soccer Mom

Disclaimer: Being of the male persuasion, I, like many before me, say stupid things assuming men’s genetically feminine counterparts will somehow “understand” the logic and reasoning behind my interpretation of what goes on inside the mind of a woman. This is my first mistake. I guess it’s similar to a child sitting in front of a plate of cookies which are wrapped for delivery to the new neighbors next door. You know you’re going to get into a load of trouble if you touch them, but you just can’t resist. To all you mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Did you know there’s been a war raging within our country for almost the last 60 years? It’s a battle which silently simmers within parental circles of friends and neighbors. The impetus behind this emotionally-straining issue is the choice to work or stay at home to raise the children.

This can be a very touchy subject when it comes to parenting—one that’s split right down the middle, with a little more than 50 percent of the female workforce in this country sporting children at home. For many it’s an economic issue. Many work because they have to, whether it be a married family who needs the extra income to stay afloat or meet a certain minimum lifestyle, or a single mom, where the mother is the only breadwinner. The majority of stay-at-home moms have the economic luxury of being able to make a choice. But regardless of economic situation, there seems to be an underlying resentment which exists between the stay-at-home Suzie Homemakers and the 9 to 5 Soccer Moms.

While neither side of this maternal discord is more correct, nor more worthy of sympathy or respect, what I don’t understand is why there is even an argument. Maybe it’s another one of those female things the male species isn’t supposed to comprehend.

Looking at this logically, which I’m sure is why I have to analyze this at all, the mothers I’ve known throughout my years have more or less loved their children unconditionally. More when the child is behaving. Not quite as much seconds before a timeout.

I can understand the guilt working moms feel as they leave the house each day, handing their offspring over to fill-ins to raise and nurture during working hours. Though often necessary, this isn’t something that’s easily mentally justified, nor emotionally set aside by any working mom. Most mothers love their children and do what’s necessary to make sure they have a better life. Period. A career which results out of the chaos of being a working mom is a bonus.

Stay-at-home moms on the other hand are often unappreciated and undervalued. While giving up the benefits of working outside the home, including extra income, title and career advancement, stay-at-home moms have the extra rewards associated with being there all of the time, witnessing their children's daily growth and educating their young ones. And although that may sound like a wonderful prospect, just remember two-year-olds do not change their own diapers.

Salary.com, an online employer/employee resource, has over the last several years published the salary equivalents for moms, both for those with and without traditional business careers. They matched hours spent per week against the salary of the best matched job titles to determine a salary for the “mom job” portion of a mother’s time. Job titles include housekeeper, daycare center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver and psychologist.

According to Salary.com, the national median income for a stay-at-home mom raising a single child under the age of five is equivalent to $116,058 based on a 94.5 hour work week. For working moms, the mom portion of your salary for 54.5 hours being mommy would equate to $68,405. That sounds like a much undervalued position, no matter which side you’re on.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home Suzie Homemaker mom or a working 9 to 5 Soccer Mom, just remember...stay-at-home dads would earn $128,755 for 80.2 hours of work according to Salary.com. Get over yourselves. More money for less time invested and we could play golf every day. If you ever saw Mr. Mom, you’d know that. Happy Mother’s Day!

Marc “Wiggy” Kovacs - Diarist of Diapers and Dicey Daddy Deductions