M.W.A.H.!

Photo: Lillian Bassman "Blowing Kiss" for Harper's Bazaar 1958

Q: "Do you work?"

A:"No, I just take care of the kids."

REAL ANSWER: "OMG it's the hardest job I've ever had in my life!"

I have had moments in my career of not working. Usually that involved being a freelance fashion person, and desperately beating the streets of NYC searching for my next gig (FYI for all you youngsters out there getting your start as an assistant: fashion jobs are non-existent during the month of August, and pay your taxes quarterly so you don't have a heart attack at the end of the year...) 

Yes, there have been vacations--a favorite was going to Aruba with the Mr. before kids & marriage but after securing the engagement ring. We call that temporary state of mind "Bliss". 

Now, according to most folks, I would be considered a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM in the blogging world). However, this is a misnomer that I would like to correct immediately. You can just call me a M.W.A.H. (sounds like the noise you make when you do a french-style cheek kiss!) or if you actually are french, like "moi" i.e. "me". MWAH is short for Mommy who Works At Home. 

And baby, mommy works it--at home, in the community, at your school, on the playground, in the car. Not only do we have our kids' safety, social skills, education, health and happiness in mind 24 hours a day--but we watch out for your kids too--near the water on the beach, in parking lots and while they're doing those bad-idea lemonade stands without parental supervision. 

So next time you see a fellow Mom whose main office is in the driver's side of her mini SUV, blow her a kiss (rather than a manly handshake) and let her know during this rocky economy her stock happens to be worth a fortune. 

MWAH!

Pay day! Shirley Temple in "Bright Eyes" circa 1934