Written April 24, 2000

As I was putting together a page within the division "Women's Health, Mind & Body Resource Network," of the PWOTW, I came to this topic: "Working Moms." You will read in the text below how this made me squirm. Before I started to format the page, and gather the information, I started to write a little "note from the founder," to include on the top of the page. And when I had it written, I thought I would put it on the main site of the PWOTW - since it means so much to me - and the message it carries...

A note to all "working Moms" about this category:

When I created this category, I was stuck with the words. "Working Moms." What a laugh, isn't it?  What job could POSSIBLY be harder than being a mom?  None that I can think of. So if there are any other women out there who get aggravated at the term "working moms," because the world applies it only to women who have "paid jobs," just know that I too become annoyed at that as well.

We all work hard as moms. Some of us have managed to juggle going to another place to do yet another job, they might call this our occupation - profession - job. In any case - our job as a mom to our kids is our biggest job, both to our kids, and to ourselves as well.

I thought you might like to know, that I work full time as a Webmaster/Site Administrator for a corporation in Philadelphia. PLUS - I also maintain 3 major domains, with tens of thousands of pages on the internet. But after my day is done in front of the computer at work, I go to work again by picking up my daughter from daycare and taking care of her needs. 

My day has three distinct parts to it: 

1. Morning - getting her and myself dressed, fed, school stuff organized, my stuff packed and out the door on time.
2. Morning-part 2 - is taking two trains into work and then the work itself.
3. Late afternoon - picking her up, grocery shopping if needed, dinner (thank goodness for fast food and frozen prepared foods), straightening up, homework for her, homework for me, suffer through one 30 minute episode of Pokèmon with her, check my sites on the net, answer e-mail (approximately 300 to 400 mails a day), then showers for the both of us.

Finally - sleep.  But even then, I am not off duty. My job as a mom is 24 hours a day. I cannot think for one moment that just because she is in bed - sleeping - that my job has ended. I have to be ready to react at a moments notice if she is sick, or for an emergency - a fire - whatever - I am on call.

What a laugh. A day job! 
Hardy har har har.  (The hairs are standing up on the back of my neck as I type this)

And I can't say that there is no pay for being a mom. I am paid with hugs, and I love Yous, and notes on my pillow at night, and kisses, and with "My!!; she is a polite child," from total strangers, and "She is so beautiful," from total strangers. So you see... I earn a great salary at my "day job".... but it is nothing - nothing - compared to  what I earn being a mom.

There is no dollar amount figure of salary that ANYONE could offer to compensate a woman for the work she does in being a mom. Likewise, no amount of money in the world could EVER take it's place - or make me look for another job like it.

I hope this brought a smile to your face. And moms out there... take a well deserved bow. YOU HAVE EARNED IT!

Nancy Imelda Schafer
Founder of The Phenomenal Women Of The Web
Mother of Olivia Michelle (1992)

And PS... if you are a mom... let me know how you feel about this. Sign the guestbook below... and go ahead, by all means... pat yourself on the back when you do. Let the world know that you work hard both inside AND outside of the home.

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