8 Things Stay-at-Home Moms Should Start Doing All the Time

Don't you love when you tell people you're a Stay-at-Home Mom and they look at you like, "That must be nice"?

Translation: nice = easy.

For some reason, raising children doesn't seem to have a lot of clout, at least not in this country. There's this vision that being with children all day is not work, but rather, a cushy gig. Let's be honest, though: For moms who do get to be home with their children, this is a blessing, but it doesn't mean it's not a lot of hard, tiring work. People think SAHMs are busy on social media all day, eating chocolate and generally doing nothing. People think caring for children doesn't have the same clout or importance as clocking in to an office each day. Overall, people have a lot of misconceptions about stay-at-home motherhood so instead of trying to explain how much love and care it takes to raise children, just embrace the myths and enjoy yourself for a little while before you go back to "work."

Here are some things SAHMs should start doing since the whole world thinks you're doing these things anyway . . .

Instead of making lunch or helping your children tie their shoes, sit and eat bon-bons. Be sure to lie down on a couch while you are eating them. This makes you truly enjoy the luxury of slowly chewing on deliciously dark or milk chocolate bon-bons. While you are at it, please do make sure to buy expensive European chocolate — in particular, Belgium chocolate — in order to fully enjoy the luxury. Don't offer your kids any.

Who needs to do laundry, cook, or care for children when there's Facebook? Go on Facebook all day long and when your kids ask for something, tell them to post their needs on Facebook. If they don't understand, ask them to tweet a request for lunch or laundry. Or be bold and don't say a word. Don't you have a news feed to attend to?

Each time your partner wants dinner or laundry done or wonders when you are going to Target or Costco this week, ask your partner to pay in advance. Explain that with your new title of "Uber Driver" and "cleaning lady" and "cook" that you will need bi-monthly or weekly payments in order for the jobs to be completed. Ask your partner if he or she needs references of your fine work. Offer your kids as references.

Not many of us have a gardener, do we? Well the old myth of the SAHM who falls for her gardener or construction guy could be semi-true. Be sure to keep the "myth" alive by batting your eyelashes or being extra sweet to the gardener, plumber, or any other handyman. At the very least, your day won't be dull.

When someone tells you, "Oh, you don't work," stand outside a local place of business with a "For Hire" sign and list all of the things you do, such as:

The list rolls on.

I imagine you will get a lot of job offers! Of course, hopefully your family will appreciate you enough to "hire" you.

Ever feel like all you wear are yoga pants? Ever feel like all people expect you to wear are yoga pants? Wear yoga pants to a wedding. A fancy place. Exceed expectations by wearing yoga pants 24/7.

When people say, "Oh, you're just a mom," use this phrase to get out of work and trouble. When someone asks you to do something or has a question respond with, "Oh, I don't know. I'm just a mom."

After the 50th time you say that, you may just get that person to think twice before saying that rude remark.

Do you have a partner who likes to refer to money as "his" or "her" money, and not yours because you're not working? Start charging him or her childcare fees. Send a bill. Itemize it.

Better yet, up the sarcasm by writing the words "Your Money" on all money found.

You can be really cheeky and write "My Money" on the money owed for all of your childcare fees.

Of course, I am being sarcastic. The best way for someone to see the value in motherhood doesn't come from you, but from that person. Caring for children is a blessing and a labor of love. For every person caring for a child at home, there is another person not at home, working, because that person is home with the kids. Each act in a family, from childcare to employment, is a village act and an important one. Seeing the value in what everyone brings to the table is so important. Mamas, don't forget how much you are truly worth! For all of my SAHMs who cared for my daughter while I worked, thank you.