The SAHM State of Mind & the PR Profession

This week at lunch, the Hiebingites attended a Learning Luncheon, and something interesting came up as some food for thought. The notion of the SAHM -- the Stay-At-Home-Mom was just a brief mention in the presentation, but I found myself mulling it over. The "Stay-At-Home Mom" is a big target audience many different products and purposes, but the SAHM is becoming recognized as a state of mind, rather than a "profession". In a nutshell, some mom’s are choosing to stay at home, but they are doing "jobs" on the side. Ann from Hiebing said you hear it as, "I'm a stay-at-home mom, but I..." What may follow is, "but I am operating a small business on the side" or "I am head of the PTO" or "I am volunteering for a big fundraiser."

The stay-at-home mom being a "state of mind" was an eye-opening and thought-provoking piece of insight for me, as I plan on being a stay-at-home mom someday when my career is over. But this made me think, who says my career has to be over, just because I want to stay at home with my kids? I think this is an important concept for women entering the PR field who also dream of being moms. And not just having children, but mothering them. Yes, the PR world can be frantic and busy, (much like motherhood I would imagine). But being a SAHM does not mean you are restricted to the home. Pack the kids in the van and go to the park while you write your next best seller. In between writing, take a break and push the kids on the swings. It CAN be done.

SAHM as a state of mind may be a new way of thinking, but it has exsited for a long time. If one looks at women’s history, mothers were "working" outside of the home for decades. There were social and religious organizations, and other clubs and activites that were deemed “appropriate” for women. Well, these women were not just stay at homes moms. They were disussing politics, trying to advocate for change for thier families, and even coordinating a church bake sale, Even though these women did not have “careers,” these were jobs that they were doing. Words like "collaborating, "coordinating," "organizing," and "implementing" have been in women's vocabulary for generations. And now, this notion of what characterizes a SAHM has been changing for decades as more women are daring to think and step outside the box. I believe this is becoming increasingly relevant as more and more women are receiving an education and pursuing careers.

Growing up with my own SAHM, I've believed that I would have a job, and then be a mom, and that is it: A and then B. But the thought of having both A and B at the same time just never crossed my mind. Entering the professional realm has made me think about this lifestyles in a different way. And thanks to Ann's presentation, it made me think about new goals for myself, as well as encourage me to share my thoughts. Now, I am not saying all women should be like this. It is one's own choice. So young PR pro women, don’t be afraid to consider the SAHM option. Making an impact in PR world can be done while raising a loving family. It is, of course, just a state of mind.