You can truly never know what another mother is going through until you have walked a mile in her shoes, which is why US author Samantha Ettus has come in for some criticism over her new book.
Samantha believes that a woman’s life should not be reduced to a work-home balance, and that we need to make time for a range of other ‘slices’ in order to be happy.
In her book, The Pie Life, Samantha shares her tips and tricks for getting the most fulfilment out of life while looking after all of those ‘slices’.
That’s fair enough, right? But some of Samantha’s comments about stay-at-home mums have caused offence and split opinion.
“If you told me that you were spending all of your time at work, I would say to you, ‘Your life is woefully imbalanced’. It’s the same thing if you’re spending all of your time parenting – your life is woefully imbalanced,” she said, on Good Morning America.
Insisting that all mothers should ‘keep their foot in the door’ at work and at least work part-time while raising kids, Samantha added: “If your child’s goals are your goals, you need to find your own life, and fast.”
Samantha herself has revealed that she is already getting ‘hate mail’, and indeed, Twitter is awash with criticism.
“Married, 3 kids, had 3 jobs. [In] 2009, the doctor put me on disability. Unable to work, so now labelled unhappy?” tweeted one disgruntled Twitter user.
Meanwhile, another mused: “What makes stay-at-home moms feel a ‘well of dissatisfaction’ is working mothers who tell us we’re dissatisfied.”
Can women be happy and fulfilled without careers? https://t.co/WptT3oHkYI pic.twitter.com/9X9AhimjpG
— Tory Johnson (@toryjohnson) September 19, 2016
@GMA #ThePieLife Married, 3 kids had 3 jobs. 2009 Dr put me on FT disability. Unable to work so now labeled unhappy?!
— Amber Fortino Castro (@AForCast) September 21, 2016
What makes stay-at-home moms feel a "well of dissatisfaction" is working mothers who tell us we're dissatisfied. #thepielife pic.twitter.com/XtMOMF4eOR
— Rosemary Rey (@rosereywriter) September 21, 2016
Others, however, have shared their support for Samantha’s work, with one chiming in: “Are stay-at-home moms unhappy? Yes, girl! For all the reasons you said. Thanks for your courage in making a book/ conversation.”
What are your thoughts?
