Mothers Hate Being Called Housewives Or Stay-At-Home Moms! So What Should You Call Them?

Moms who don’t go to work were called housewives (are still called by many), a word they truly detest. Then in the early 21st century, a new term emerged, Stay-At-Home Mom. It seemed like a safer way to describe mothers who didn’t go outside for a job. But many mothers are not comfortable even with this term and justifiably so. "It feels like it defines us as mothers who just stay at home, as if our identity is limited to that - staying at home," says one mom. "People mean well, but it sounds so wrong, like I am barely home! I am running household errands, taking my kids to classes, attending things myself so how am I a ‘stay-at-home’ mom (SAHM)?"

Another mom points out how 'stay-at-home' makes it sound like they don’t do much. "But in reality, we are the ones who slog all day without any recognition. We don’t get breaks from home or kids. We barely have time to step out for a lunch or coffee break with friends like moms who go to work. And not to mention the expectations that are so much higher from us, just because we ‘stay at home’. People just assume we should handle everything. The term itself puts a stamp of approval on the idea that we are limited to our homes and household chores, which is so humiliating."

For moms who once had careers, the term sounds like they have given up. "I will go back to work when I can and when I have the right support system, when I feel confident enough to leave my kids with someone I trust. This is just a phase, please do not make it my entire identity by calling me a SAHM."

So, what’s the right way to address moms who don’t have a traditional job? Maybe it’s time to remove labels - instead of defining them by where they spend their day, why not just call them what they are? Every mother we know is constantly juggling responsibilities. They do what is best for their families and so the word 'mother' should be enough!

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