Thursday, September 01, 2011
Why SAHMs aren't stupid
Look I don't know about you but society tends to make rude and snide comments about SAHMs. Mainly that we're simpletons who don't have any higher aspirations that wiping poopy asses all day. As though you getting a degree and a job outside the house makes you better than me.Oh sure, you're probably better than me in some ways, but your choice to work vs. my choice to stay at home is not one of them.
Look, I'm not stupid. Now I'm just speaking for myself now and if you're a SAHM who can relate, awesome- but right now I'm talking about meh.
So I'm no dummy. Lazy yes- I did terrible in school cause I had it in my dumbass highschool undeveloped brain that I was just gonna continue on with the acting thing for, well, ever.
Obviously my Tony got lost in the mail.
I didn't do homework, or schoolwork, or cared. Completely fucktardedness I will not stand for in my own kids.
But I was never stupid. I'm actually pretty damn smart.
Take it to present day.
My brain does not stop. It just doesn't (because most nights I'm dreaming about weird ass shit like a hurricane being all around me or something).
My days are a continuous brain puzzle of teaching 3 kids. Our oldest is 4 so right now he's learning how to read small words. If only that was my one job. Do my spelling thing- send him on his way.
But it's not. It's my job to teach them academically (so they'll be ready for school, and when they're in school reinforce and help them in their schooling)- but manners (which go WELL beyond please and thank yous), respect, self worth, being a good brother and son, etc.
And there's a lot to learn academically- colors, numbers, shapes, letters, sounds, senses, etc. Top it off with needing (and I suppose wanting) to keep them safe.
I've got to teach 3 boys all these things while making sure they don't die in the process. Trust me- they'd find a way.
Now, it's true, some people reading this may think to themselves- wtf? Pre-K lessons about colors? You're complaining about that? Try quantum physics.
And that's great.
Now go teach your quantum physics class- but imagine you're trying your damndest to teach them the Dirac Equation (yes Dirac!) and the students won't sit still. And when they do their brains won't sit still. And after the 300th time of saying "stop interrupting and listen!" someone else has peed their pants, or a fight has broken out, or someone is breaking into your desk, or someone gulping down the Windex you keep on your projector- or all of those things at once.
Fun right? Now live there in your Quantum Physics classroom- with all your students. Oh sure you could leave them there and run to the store or Starbucks for a minute or so.
Nope- sorry, I forgot- you can't. All the bullshit they do while you're *right there*- think of that. Now think of all the bs they'll do if you were gone. Oh and then word getting out you left them alone- and it's hello CPS!
Ok, so I'm kind of stretching- I mean mainly adults take Quantum Physics courses but I said iMAgine! Derr!
Point being is that my brain is constantly going- and it is exhausting. Oh oh oh! But don't forget on top of it all you are supposed to be calm and understanding and patient because you "know better."
So it's hard for me to not scoff and roll my eyes at the people who aren't SAHM/Ds when they get a huge chunk of their day not having to lower their brain levels by teaching all that crap as seen above. Damnit- I know blue and yellow make green!
But do you know how many times a day Paul says to be "Guess what blue and yellow make? Green!"
And oh lord sometimes I just want to say "omg will you shut UP" but damnit I can't. They're young, their brains are growing- I want to instill in them good study habits and a thirst for knowledge, and manners so they don't grow up to be on the Jersey Shore or something.
So at the end of the day- when they are finally finally in bed, and my brain is winding down, do you honestly think I'm gonna say to myself "ahhhh time for some relaxing math." or "oh boy, let's debate politics!"
Ummm yeah- no.
So it's not their we're stupid and don't care about politics or what's happening in the world, or can't do long division- it's that my brain is always working. So you'll excuse me if I'd rather play the Sims or watch Drop Dead Diva (shut up I love that show lol). Or if when it comes time to play D&D (or some other rpg) my eyes cross and I have a "huh derr" moment when I need to figure out damage. Thankfully I have wonderful friends who are more than helpful in those times.
So I'm not stupid- I just use my brain more often than you do ;-)
