This is just random jibber jabber, so if you’re expecting a great project, don’t hold your breath. You’ll pass out before you find it. There is a printable below though. You could use it to make a card for Mother’s Day…
I spent the last week home alone with the boys while Mr Napping was out of town on a business trip. I love my boys and am so grateful to be able to stay at home with them… but sometimes, I need a break. A conversation that doesn’t involve nonsensical baby babble or talk of Dinosaur Train or Lightning McQueen is a huge deal. By Wednesday or Thursday, I’m in survival mode. My days are a big jumble of snacks, chores, refereeing sibling squabbles, diaper changes, bottles, meals, and bath time… and the dreaded bedtime! I have a huge respect for single parents, you are my heroes and I have NO idea how you manage.
A while back, I watched of Everybody Loves Raymond because it’s on Netflix streaming and I can power through the episodes while I’m cleaning in the evenings. In one of the episodes, Debra starts charging Ray for her services around the home when he claims it’s “his” money. Mr Napping has never claimed that in the least, let me make that clear up front. But; sometimes, when he comes home and sees a new project I’ve started he gets frustrated that the dishes aren’t done or the laundry isn’t washed. Clearly, I found time to do this project, so why not the laundry? Some times, I feel a little taken for granted.
These are averages and may vary depending on your location, size of your home and exact services.
The Stats:
Our home is 1696 square feet with 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen, a combined formal living/dining room and and a family room. The carpeted area is roughly 1200-1300 square feet. We have two children, ages 14 months and 3.5 years. No pets. Our three year old is mostly potty trained, but not some days are rough. And he has a harder time when Daddy leaves. The baby is in diapers, obviously. We typically eat dinner every night as a family and have two to three meals a day on Saturday and Sunday. During the days, the children eat one to two meals and about half a dozen snacks or more. The baby gets a bottle at nap time and at bedtime. He also typically wakes between 2-5am to eat another bottle. My husband is a tremendous help in the kitchen, so I knocked my time down to five lunches and dinners and two breakfasts. I typically complete approximately 7-10 pounds of laundry a week. Monkey attends preschool 2 times a week. We make various other outings for groceries, shopping and occasional play dates. I figured these prices from the average in our area.
Cost of Professional Services Hired for One Week:
Maid Service (for weekly basic cleaning of the home): $100 – this is the simple stuff, no windows, refrigerators, stoves or the like. Just vacuuming, toy pick up, bathroom cleaning, ect…
Laundry Service (Clothes and linens washed weekly): $12.75 – can you image the laundry load after a trip or vacation?
Personal Chef Services (5 Dinners/5 Lunches/ 2 Breakfasts): $2,375 – this doesn’t include the cost of food
Chauffeur Services to Preschool: $50 – doesn’t include gas money (which is another $25-45)
Daycare Center Costs (5 days a week/9 hours a day, 14mo & 3.5yo): $426.25
And I got peed on today, so I’ll tack on a good $50 for that. Okay, I won’t.
The weekly total: $2,964
The average cost to employ a homemaker for one month? $11, 856.
I don’t know about your families, but we don’t have $11, 856 to spare each month. Even if I were to work full time, I don’t have a degree that would allow me to compensate for those expenses. And, you know what? I would miss my husband and kiddos like crazy! So, if there are some days the dishes don’t get done or the laundry is still on the floor, it’s okay! The kids are alive and not bleeding (much). There is something resembling food for dinner. No one is running around naked (most of the time). We’re ok. Heck, we’re even happy, in the big picture of things. Not so thrilled about being peed on. And guess what? The dishes, the laundry and the vacuuming with all be there tomorrow. It’s important to take time for things I enjoy and relax so I don’t kill anyone… because I’m not clever enough to get away with it and, from the looks of those numbers, I’m irreplaceable! And, even though my husband doesn’t always understand why I prioritize the way I do, we are all happier when I take a little time for me too. What’s that they say…? “If momma ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy” right?!
Investopedia did a similar comparison back in January. It’s even higher than the numbers I spit out. So, if you are a homemaker, I hope you realize how important you really are. Don’t focus on the shortcomings! Look at everything you DID get done. Everything else will be there tomorrow. And you working mommas… you’re pretty awesome yourselves – working all day long and then coming home to deal with dishes, dinner, baths and chores.
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| Click and then right click the image to “Save As”. You can then print your own mother definition printable. |
Cost Sources:
Personal Chef: http://www.howmuchisit.org/personal-chef-cost/
Laundry Service: http://www.howmuchisit.org/laundry-service-cost/
Maid Service:http://www.howmuchisit.org/maid-service-cost/
Daycare cost: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-youll-spend-on-childcare_1199776.bc#articlesection2
If you’d like to get more While He Was Napping, you can find me here:
