This whole kerfuffle about Democratic pundit Hilary Rosen making a statement about Ann Romney never working a day in her life has me more than a little annoyed. It has revived the non-issue of the "mommy wars" which takes time away from actual issues that affect people on a daily basis.
That being said, here's my 2 cents. Whatever you may think about the way in which Hilary Rosen chose to word her comments, she was right; Ann Romney never has worked a day in her life.
Does this mean motherhood is not "work?" No. I'm a mom; I know it's hard. But I also know that it's not something I do to earn a paycheck or put food on the table. It's something I do because I desperately love my children and want to care for them. It's rewarding beyond words, and a job that I enjoy despite the challenges.
Anyone who can compare raising their children to working in a coal mine or waiting tables has a questionable amount of love for their children. Motherhood is not a "job" even though it does take work and effort. I would gladly stay home with my kids all day before I would scrub toilets all day.
So why then do some women "choose" to take a crappy job that earns a paycheck rather than be a stay-at-home mom? Because they have no choice - that's the point. Most women in this country do not "choose" to work versus parenting full time. They are merely a victim of their financial circumstances.
I work, and I enjoy my work. Personally, I would not feel fulfilled unless I got that daily time in the "real world" that working provides for me. Could I be stay-at-home mom? Probably. My lifestyle would have to be severely reduced, but I could probably swing it. Does the fact that I work mean that I look down on women who stay home with their kids? No. More power to them. Some women are natural caregivers and love the opportunity that being a stay-at-home mom brings. Do I think they look down on me for working? No. I think we're all moms and we all do what we need to do and we all make our own way and that's fine.
The point that Rosen was trying to make was that Ann Romney, being a wealthy woman, has never had to scrub toilets or wait tables. She doesn't know what it's like to do manual labor all day and then have to come home and care for your children. She was undoubtedly in a position to hire nannies, housekeepers, and cooks, whether she chose to do so or not. Most women don't have that luxury.
Yes, parenting is work, but it's fulfilling and fun work that we choose to take on by having kids in the first place. We love our kids, and no matter how tough it gets, I would never trade mothering for waiting tables, or compare the two in the same breath. It's insulting to my children.
