I think I smell a little controversy ... As a work at home mom (WAHM), even I was a little taken aback when I read about this new Chicken Soup for the Soul book published in Greenwich and edited by a Stamford mom: Power Moms: 101 Stories Celebrating the Power of Choice for Stay at Home and Work from Home Moms
Sounds harmless enough, right? But if you read the book's description, you'll see that the book features stories from moms who have left the traditional workforce to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) or work-from-home (WAHM). I have yet to read the book, but I sense that it glorifies moms who are lucky enough to spend a decent amount of time with their kids. In turn, does it knock moms who either choose or who are forced to work out of the home? I don't know. We shall see... I'm definitely picking up a copy of the book and plan to attend a reading and booksigning with the book's editor, Wendy Walker, at The New Canaan Library on April 21 at 7:30.
In the meantime, how do you define "POWER MOM"? Is a mom's power determined by whether she works full time, part time, from home or not at all? I would have to say that as long as a mom is actively involved in her children's lives and instilling good values and kindness in them, then she is a Power Mom. Not everyone has the luxury to be home with their kids full time. What do you think?
12 comments:
Meg - That is a book I will NEVER pick up! I'm so sick of the debate about who is/has it better: working moms or SAHM/WAHM's. Aren't we all just trying to do our best?
Maybe its not PC, but I'm glad someone is giving us (stay at home's) some credit. Being at home w/ my twins is the hardest job I've ever had and there is no pay or vacation!!!! Power on!!!
MANY don't have that luxury. FC has a very isolated and narrow-minded view of reality, it seems. I would agree with you. As long as a mother is actively involved in parenting her child(ren), whether she works from home or out, by choice or not, she's a power mom. Some women I know look down their noses at me for working part time out of the house, but I need that adult interaction. It's a small window of opportunity to breathe and just be a me again. Not the "wife," the "mom," the "laundry woman," the "chef" and the thousand other roles I'm supposed to play.
Power mom? (Picture my exaggerated eye-roll here.) So far this morning I've changed 2 diapers, made breakfast, made the beds and showered. What's so powerful about that? I used to be an analyst at a major investment bank. I don't regret giving it up to stay at home with my kids but, please, a book that glorifies this as Power Moms???? It's so condescending I can hardly stomach it.
I agree with Anne. Anyone who is actively involved with her children in a loving, capable way is a Power Mom. I hope the book celebrates that, regardless of whether a woman is at home or not.
I see a lot of stay at home Dads these days. Wonder where they fall into the mix!
I was thinking that too, MB! What would a "Power Dad" look like? (and I'm not aware of any books written to celebrate that!)
"Power Mom" why must we use so many labels? I find it ridiculous that a woman, whether she works or not has to deal with a label on top of everything. I am a mother of 2, 13 months apart and I work a full time out of the home job, and I also spend every waking moment with my beautiful children. I wish I could stay home more but that isn't possible. I also applaude stay at home moms who also toil and stress in their day to day activities. It should not matter if a woman chooses to work (in or out) stay home or have dad stay home. We should not have to deal with being pooled into a category. We should just celebrate us as mothers, we are and always will be one of the most important people in our children's lives, the love we offer them, the care we provide for them should matter more than being categorized. I hail all mothers, write a book on that.
hhmmm power mom? any woman in this day and age is a power mom. we juggle diapers, emails, preshcool, text messages, parent-teacher conferences, instant message, baseball practice, web cameras, dinner, digital downloads, dirty laundry, cell phones ringing at all hours, ballet practice... and the beloved "what's for dinner"
SAHM (but small side business - so also WAHM)Mother of 3 (7,3,1 yrs)
Right on, Meg. Most mothers I know are so loving and caring, making the best decisions they can for their situations. Who has the right to judge?
I notice that one of the power moms profiled on the cover is Lynne Spears, mother of Britney (drugs & divorce) and Jamie Lynn (pregnant teen.) Not sure I want to be a power mom if this is the prototype! (Although, I do loooovvvee Jodi Picoult!)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2009/03/28/chicken_soup_book_has_conn_connection/?page=2
Link above tells story behind creation of book. It’s a pretty interesting article!
I find it hard to believe that clueless people exist who question the value of the work of SAHMs, but I guess those people are out there, and the book sounds like it’s meant for people who want a reaffirmation of their work.
Quote from article:
While the term "Power Moms," may connote images of moms toting briefcases and heading off to the train station in suits, Newmark says it is a reference to "the kind of do-it-all lives women who stay at home lead."
"Mothers who have reorganized their lives to be with their children need a little validation," she said. "It's validation they usually don't get at the cocktail party when someone asks, 'What do you do?'"
I can see that. I agree with the commenters who find the label “Power Moms” annoying, but I guess the title has done its job in attracting attention!
I also agree with the commenters who said the most important thing is to value the work of all moms, not judge, and not label. SAHMs and working moms balance the same issues and make the same hard choices, and working moms often become SAHMs and vice versa, especially in today’s economy.
The article notes that the book has an essay from Melora Hardin of the TV show The Office- obviously she’s not a SAHM right now, so the book does appear to understand that the term SAHM is flexible.
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