This Working Mom's Choice: Happiness over Housework

Work Wednesday

Yesterday, Working Mother magazine released What Moms Choose: The Working Mother Report, a  detailed analysis of the findings from a nationwide survey of 3,781 moms (of the working and stay-at-home varieties) that sheds light on how women feel about the paths they pick and the challenges they face. I'm on a business trip  out of the country so I haven't had time to explore the report fully, but even in my jet-lagged state one finding stood out, actually screamed out to me.

It's this - that both working mothers and stay-and-home moms reported that they  worry about - and feel most judged about - "HOW CLEAN MY HOUSE IS." In the survey, co-sponsored by Ernst & Young, 55% of working moms and 44% of stay-at-home moms reported worrying about domestic dishevelment, while 42% of the working moms and 35% of the stay-at-home moms surveyed thought others judged them on their state of their homes.

I find this totally shocking. I can relate somewhat to the other top working mom concerns - not taking care of yourself, not having enough time with your kids or your partner - but  worrying more about having a clean house than spending time with my kids or husband? NO!

Of course, for those of you who know me well or follow me here on CurrentMom, that probably doesn't surprise you. I've admitted to my aversion to housework before and confessed that I don't make my bed. (Check out my earlier housework blog for some very interesting research on social roles and evolving housework trends.)

My motto (which, by the way hung on my mom's kitchen wall), is "My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy." The bottom line -- I'd rather be spending my time with my husband and kids - or working - than cleaning.  And, as long as my house isn't filthy or completely cluttered, I really don't care what anyone thinks!

But . . . my parents are coming to visit us this weekend and will be arriving on Friday afternoon before I return home from my trip later that day.  So, excuse me for this shorter-than-usual post. I need to go call my husband and ask him to tidy up before they come. At least, wipe off the toothpaste that I know my five-year-old has squirted all over the bathroom sink my parents will share with him. (Thanks in advance, honey!)  I guess I am a concerned after all! At least, a little . . . .

Photo credit: RebeccaLeeP via Flickr 

 

 

Comments

[Karen]

I'm almost too jealous of your trip to respond ... but I will tell you that MY refrigerator magnet says "A clean house is a sign of a wasted life." However, since we stopped having house cleaners when my husband lost his job (briefly) last spring, he fully believes that having the whole family clean the house every other weekend (or, in truth, every three weeks) is character building for the kids. I wholeheartedly agree - it's great that my kids have learned how to scrub toilets and bathtubs, dust and vacuum and sweep. Even make their beds once in a while. However, as I have told him, my character is already fully formed, thank you very much, and I would much rather spend fun time with my family (or at least activity time) on the weekends, but so far, no budging. Maybe as my birthday present ...

[Jamie]

I love a clean house. I just don't want to be the one to clean it!

[Patty]

I am a work from home mom but staying home doesn't mean you have time to do housing keep stuff.