Imagine a job where when duty calls you have to be on point. Up and ready for the days up and down in's and out and whatever twist and turns can occur and believe me they will. You have to be willing to roll your sleeves up and get down to the nitty gritty. You cant be afraid to get dirty or smelly. And guess what? This is the life of everyday stay at home moms.

Because job perks given here are very different than those handed out in the working world, some consider being stay-at-home moms not to be real professions. However, although there are no usual benefits, who can determine the value of a hug shared between a mother and child? Studies show that 8-11 hugs per day can astonishingly benefit one's physical and mental health. Yes, the demands are high, and require a level of selflessness that is not so much incorporated into the world outside the home. And though there is no hierchery of managers and vice presidents or presidents in this employment, there is a pecking order to the situation. The steadfast rule is the smallest human being rules the roost. And along with the tending to the child, multitudes of other responsibilities are handled as well.

Although some believe this to be easy work, but transplant one corporate woman into the home for entire day of childcare and household workings, and odds are good she'd run more than happily back to the office the following day! In the corporate world, the woman's needs come first, but at home, the child's needs are prevelant. This is a day in, day out position and it's demands are endless. The job isn't complete when the clock draws upon a certain hour. This job is for life.

Before we can begin to consider a realistic income for stay-at-home moms, let's consider a few more of the realities of the position. What gets done or doesn't get done, remains in place into the following day. This is a one-woman operation! All decisions rest on mom, severely guided by the little ones. There is no one to ask for a day off, or to request early leave. Everything revolves around the care and needs of the children.

Stay-at-home moms really provide services performed in a multitude of other professions outside the home. From housekeeper, to problem-solver, through cook, hairdresser, waitress, banker, accountant, handyman, the list of services provided are endless. And add on top of all these, the role of wife. In many ways, it's a hands-on learning experience. And each day brings it's own unique set of experiences from which to learn.

So yeah we don't have to punch in at 9 and punch out at 5 or drive through grid lock traffic and deal with deadlines or bosses breathing done our necks. But our days start before 9 and never end at 5. We kept going and going until at least half of what we planned on doing for the day is done. We don't get all dressed up in our uniforms or put on business suits. But i would pick my outfit over any suit any day. It may not be as glamorous or luxurious. But its me. I would pick my sweats or jeans and a T-shirt over any designer suit.

In reality, earning additional income while being at home with children and tending to the running of the household is not very practical. Five minutes of attention not devoted to one "must-do" or another is rarely found throughout the day. And if the option to earn money from home were as simple as some would have you believe, then certainly most people would opt to remain at home and work. No, there just isn't any feasibility in this idea. All things more important come first, and next on the list comes two minutes to sit and catch one's breath, not concerns over a few random dollars that might be earned instead.

I would venture to say that approximately $15,000 per year would be fitting income for a stay-at-home mom, but of course this would vary depending on the number of children at one's feet daily. And though our personal demands do not include costly fancy coffee that we can barely pronounce, we do have a taste for something special for ourselves from time to time. A new bottle of perfume perhaps, or those slippers our feet have been screaming for...a manicure, or perhaps a new hairstyle. While no amount of money can replace the joy of growing up beside our children, some money couldn't hurt. After all, we're shaping the world's future leaders, from the crib onward. And for that, we deserve a little something extra ourselves. Anyone agree?