I know people are going to bust on me for this, especially since it’s a few days before Mother’s Day. But if there is one thing that drives me crazy, it’s the yearly story (updated with new figures) that takes all the jobs a stay-at-home mom performs and then adds up the theoretical salary. Like so:
If a stay-at-home mom was paid for what they do, her annual salary would be $122,732. And a working mom would receive $76,184 in addition to her salary. A few of the tasks that salary.com included in a mom’s job description are housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, facilities manager, van driver, psychologist, janitor and chief executive officer.
Here are a few I would like to add to the list: nurse, chaos coordinator, referee, hair stylist, snack opener, bottom wiper and toy locator.
Moms do a lot, yes. No question. My wife does way more in our house than I do. And I appreciate her for it. I tell her all the time, and help out where I can. Women rock.
But — and here’s my point — working dads never get this story. (I’m a chauffeur, projectionist, DJ, gardener, janitor, toy bounty hunter, librarian, short order cook, etc., etc.) Stay-at-home dads, and I know many, never get this story. It’s tired journalism.
