Nothing is more annoying than hearing someone attempt to discredit a stay-at-home-mom’s ability to be a productive member of society. As a product of a stay at home mom, I can assure you my mother isn't sitting around watching The View all day, or complaining about why QVC doesn't have those red Jimmy Choo’s in her size. She is not my chauffeur, my short order cook, or my personal assistant. Contrary to what many people believe, stay at home mothers do a lot more than absolutely nothing. Want to grind my gears? Tell me my mom doesn't have a “real” job. Tell me all she does is PTA work and bake sales. Ask me how bored she is, or if she thinks it’s fun living off of my fathers paycheck. I’m sure it’s absolutely ludicrous to believe my mom isn't stupid, but she's actually a Temple University alumni, who graduated magna cum laude. She is a former television producer for two major news networks, as well as a former health teacher. She is a church deaconess, a member of our township diversity committee, and an active participant in charities, non-profits, and organizations. No. My mother doesn't wake up at 9 every morning, leave the house in a suit, and come home at 5. But not all role models wear suits.

One of the things I have never taken for granted was having a home cooked meal every single night. Dishes ranging from tasty chicken parmesan, to perfectly grilled chicken stir fry, tender and juicy NY strip steaks, and creamy homemade whipped potatoes are just a few of my favorites. Not only does my mother stand on her feet for hours to make sure our family is well fed and happy, but she makes a beautiful table for my hardworking father, and stressed out student children. Not a single family dinner goes by without her fully indulged in our lives. She would never forget to ask us how we did on our test, or how my dad did on his presentation.

Not only is my mom a female Emeril in the kitchen, she's a perfect mix of Einstein and Picasso in the office. When I was young, I would cry for hours about my math homework that I just couldn't understand. My mom would hold me, wipe my tears, and tell me “I was more than my math homework”. She would spend hours assisting me with all the problems I couldn't do, and would work with me until I understood, encouraging me every step of the way. School projects were some of my favorite things. Every time I would bring home a project, my mom would rush me to the craft store. Glitters, paints, and stencils would fill our baskets. She would spend hours with me making sure my project was the best in the class, then complain about the $45 dollars she’d spent on a poster board.

One of the most common stay at home mom jokes is the typical “PTA mom”. As a child my mom was a frequent room mother, and PTA member. She was able to provide happiness to not only me, but to the children who’s parents were at work. The same parents who would bash the stay at home mothers, were the same parents of the children my mother was working with. I never felt alone during school trips. My mom never had to miss “Muffins with Mom”, or the mother daughter events at school. I was never the girl crying to the teachers because her mom couldn't make it. I specifically remember a time when my mom was at school for a school board event, and I noticed her down the hallway. I screamed with excitement because I felt so lucky to be able to see her at school. My friends expressed how cool it was to have my mom come to school events, because their parents couldn't always make it.

My mother is very active in my life. All throughout school she has been there to listen, advise, and defend me in my times of need. She has prepared me for adulthood, and has given me the tools to be just like her. When I need a smile, she is always there. When I need a shoulder to cry on, she is always there. My mother is my rock. She doesn't need 9-5 to make her an exemplary role model. My stay at home mother is one of the most inspiring, strongest, honest, god-fearing, and gentle women I know, and I’m beyond lucky to be able to call her my mom.