[mom-from-missouri]

I guess I am old fashioned, I do believe the man is the head of the house. I guess this is from being brought up in my church. However, I am lucky in that my husband considers me his equal, actually we each try to consider each above our equal. As a result we each are treated with respect, values and opionions may differ, but we rarely argue. We each make minor decisions on our own, but generally consult each other on major ones. However if one of us were to make a major decision without consulting the other with just cause, it would not be the end of the world--because we trust each other. This works for us--it doesn't work for all couples. It depends on personalities, religions, upbringing.....

I have worked away from home and been a stay at home mom. For our family, the SAHM routine works best. However that doesn't mean a man can't stay at home and do the same. It also doesn't mean I am a better or worse parent for it.

SAH doesn't mean you don't work. Many parents run a business out of their home and both parents actually work it. Even if you don't run a business, if you have kids, you are working.

My typical day?? Feed cows, horses, chickens, ducks, sheep, pigs, rabbits and pets. Feed kids, wash, hang, fold and iron laundry. Dust, vacume, cook 3 meals from scratch, sometimes I babysit 12-14 hours at my house (or on short days 4-6 hours at their house), bake, weed or till garden, mow (takes 8-10 hours to mow our place), feed animals a 2nd time, gather eggs, homeschool 3 girls for 4 hours and preschool 1 for 3 hours, hand wash a tractor or car (keeps kids cool in the summer!), sew.....

Why do I do this in a house with A/C and heat?? Because my DH is working his rear off doing 12-14 hour shifts in a chemical plant that can't have AC or heat (due to air flow issues) to bring home the cash to pay the mortgage and utilities.

I might also add I like Rockwells work--but it usually showed the "good" or "desired" side of life.

Also, to add to Joan's post--often the women didn't work for cash, but to barter--she may have taken eggs in and get fabric in return... My grandma an great grandma did that--they ran a tab from eggs and chickens at the general store so my grandpa and great grandpa could trade that tab for a needed tool. They also taught school during the months that school was out as farmers kids didn't go to school 9 months a year in those days--only 3-4, so the mothers taught them at home during planting, harvest and bad weather times.