Unfortunately, I think being anonymous on the internet can bring out the worst in some people. They feel emboldened to say things that they would never, ever dream of saying “in real life”.

Again, I am so sorry that you had that flood of negativity sent in your direction. Just know that there are people sending love & peace, too….they just might not be as vocal,

I hope you have a great time at Aspen Grove – doesn’t it make it more relaxing to know you are getting 50% off?!

I was really upset about the post for a long time. I didn’t even post 1/3 of the messages that were sent to me because they had nothing to do with the salon and were attacking my choice to be a SAHM. I couldn’t even post some of the responses from the salon owner/workers because they were so off topic! It was hurtful, but what I came to realize is that most of the responses were written from a very ignorant perspective – meaning the people were quick to judge my lifestyle and review of something without having the full picture… the same went for Jonathan – he wanted people to understand his struggles as a business owner and got that message out there. I didn’t want the post to be about those things, so I didn’t drag up all of my issues and tried to stay impartial. So people only saw a glimpse of both sides and quickly made a judgement call.

What surprised me most, is I honestly didn’t feel the review of the salon was all bad, or unfair. There were good and bad things – but most people focused on the negative… it was a reality check for me to see that unfold.

I’m another one who found your blog by googling Aspen Grove (and I am TOTALLY gonna mention your blog & name when I go in for a pedi–50% off, heck yeah!) and I am so sorry you have received such negativity from your original blog post.

I’m a SAHM too, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve never felt harshly judged for that, and I can’t imagine why anyone would care or think it was a bad thing? People are crazy!

Don’t worry about the haters. *good vibes*

As far as your first statement – just to clarify… the comments I am talking about in this post had NOTHING to do with your salon or your view on our situation. They had to do with my status as a stay at home mom.

As I have said to you via email and in this public forum, I don’t have any hard feelings towards you, or your salon. We obviously have a disagreement over services, but as I mentioned to you, it wasn’t anything that I couldn’t see from a business perspective.

I don’t think your salon is going to fail, nor would I wish that upon you. In fact, I have paid to send family members there as gifts and referrals. I really do think your salon has something special – it just wasn’t a good fit for me.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for stopping by, and I hope you stay and read some posts not related to Aspen Grove… you never know what you may relate to your own journey.

I welcome all in their wonderful imperfections and I hope that they will accept me with mine.

Angela, I have never judged your status in life and I appreciate you making it clear that it wasn’t me that judged you. I truly believe that when it comes to people, there is not typical anything. We were all created uniquely.

I am sorry to hear your son wasn’t feeling well. That makes for a really long day, and much appreciation for bed time.

Addie,

You are so right. It will never end until everyone has respect for the other party. And, I totally agree – CR is a “SAHM” town. I also find schedules frustrating because my husband doesn’t like to miss swim lessons and music classes, yet in order to make that happen a lot of times he must schedule time off. And when we are lucky enough to find a Saturday class, we are facing wait lists and overcrowded classes…. You’d think businesses would see this trend and do something about it at some point!

I totally get where Jonathan was coming from, and I can see how easy it would be to jump to the conclusion that I am the “typical soccer mom”. And I want to be honest – It was other moms – not Jonathan that quickly threw stones after seeing a sliver of Jonathans and my interaction.

The thing that I find interesting is from my perspective you can be a wonderful mommy and at the same time you can be an excellent employee. They do not have to be separate. I have always felt that way, and my decision to stay home with my daughter doesn’t change that.

On the other side, I know a few SAHM’s who are less than stellar moms… so I guess until we all agree that being a mom is hard – inside and outside the house, and respect for that role is due, we won’t see eye to eye.

Thanks for your comments, and if you decide to try Aspen Grove I hope you have a wonderful time!

The mommy wars will never end until SAHM’s respect working moms and working mom’s respect SAHM’s. I’m a very well-seasoned “sequencing mom” — I’ve done it all — worked through preganacy, nursing and pre-schools; stayed at home, homeschooled and I’ve been a WAHM. I now work outside the home, but I’m fortunate enough to have a husband who is a WAHD. Being new to CR, I have to admit, I could kind of see where Jonathan was coming from on the “soccer mom” analogy. Although I have been one (SAHM), I must say, the one’s I know through my kids’ school or extra-curricular activities are quite cliquish and not very friendly. It’s as though I don’t “fit in” becuase I cannot participate in the homeroom mom club. I really dont care, but I hope others can see how this contributes to the mommy wars.

Because I’ve “been there, done that”, I have the utmost respect for a mom who stays home. It IS hard work, and like you said — no days off, no vacation and no raises. BUT…. you get to go to any and every event; I have to pick and choose…..you can go have lunch with your 3rd grader – I opt for love notes in the lunch box….

I have noticed that CR is a “stay at home mom town”. Dance classes at 11AM on tuesdays; school awards ceremonies at 10 on Wed.; no before/after school care or summer programs. Like I said, I’m lucky my hubby works at home. But society and culture in CR contributes to the bitterness. Until all us moms band together and support eachother as MOMS and stand up for what is right PERIOD, there will always be the mommy wars.

Now I’ve had my “mental break” for the day and have to get back to work

The only person you need to answer to, looks at you with love filled eyes and if they could talk they would say “I wanna be just like you someday!” And that is what keeps me going day after day, even after days like today where my son found the need to throw up most of the day… If it wasn’t hard work today, why am I so tired tonight?
-MileHighDad
http://www.milehighdad.com/

You don’t work? HA. This job is more work then I have ever done, and I am sure it has been for you too. When I first started staying home I used to tease Travis about that all of the time when he would say “she doesn’t work” I would say “I don’t work outside of the home”. LOL I know it is just semantics, but I really do think it is a representation of how people really do feel. People who aren’t staying home with their children really do think this isn’t work.

Is it us? Do we as SAHM’s accept or tolerate that behavior, so much to the point where others assume their words don’t hurt anymore?
You just reminded me of when I first started staying home… I specifically remember going to a friends party and as soon as I said I was a SAHM, I had people turn away – literally uninterested in talking to me… as if I couldn’t possibly have anything interesting to say because I stay home with my kid.

I hope you stick with it – Being a SAHM was very hard in the beginning – but if you stick it out, it can be the best job that goes unnoticed.