The Hardest Job in the World

Democratic advisor Hilary Rosen suggested that Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s wife Ann was no economic expert because she "hasn't worked a day in her life." You believe she had the nerve to say that Wednesday on CNN?

That led Ann Romney to respond with a tweet saying that staying home to raise their five – yes FIVE – boys was her choice. And among all the other outraged mothers, even First lady Michelle Obama jumped into the fray with this Thursday tweet: "Every mother works hard, and every woman deserves to be respected.”

Now no surprise, Rosen has since made every attempt to retract her uber poor choice of words. But it’s too late.

Tell me that a woman (or man) who chooses to stay home to raise her children isn’t working and I will tell you that you are inaccurate and ignorant.

As a matter of fact, a stay-at-home mother doesn’t ever stop working. She doesn’t get a lunch break or sick days and she needs to be available 24/7. Yet she doesn’t get a paycheck or have a pension. She could never collect unemployment or disability. There are no freebies, perks or bonus checks.

And she sees firsthand how the economy is doing as she drives to the food store and buys milk, eggs and cheese. She’s probably involved in the local school system and fully understands how our educational system is in disarray. She works harder and is more involved in the financial system than most Americans.

I know. I was a stay-at-home mother for 5 years. And it was only after my divorce left me no choice but to bring home a paycheck that I stopped.

Those were the hardest five years of my life and yet they were the best five years of my life. And if my situation were different, I would instantly trade in my W-2 for the hugs and kisses I was “paid” all those years.