My Response to The New Mom Economy

An interesting question was recently posed at WeKnowMomBlog.com, asking readers how the economy has affected them. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, as my perspective is both as a mother and as the owner of a small business that offers what many consider to be a “luxury” service.

Either way you look at it, this economy is a train wreck. As a mom and household manager, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide for my family and cut expenses at the same time. I think twice about signing my children up for activities like soccer, camp or dance. I've convinced myself that they are too young to really enjoy organized activities and would much rather spend the day collecting leaves or rolling down hills with their budget-conscious mama. Chances are, I'm completely fooling myself. I truly make a conscious effort to simulate the brain/body stimulation they would enjoy while playing soccer with their friends, but I must admit I sometimes fall short. No matter how hard I try, I cannot duplicate the energy, competitiveness or giggle-worthy antics of a four year old.

The strain of the economy is also evident in our (lack of) travel plans. Having no family around is probably the single most difficult aspect of living in Colorado. Otherwise, I love it here. But, I'd like to think that, in a better economy, traveling with a family of five (and a dog, whose ticket is usually twice as expensive) wouldn't seem so ridiculously impossible. Don't even mention the "v" word (whisper: vacation). We continue to dream about a family reunion at the beach or a honeymoon in wine country (yes, we've been married for seven years but have yet to honeymoon), but the expense of such a trip would mean not eating for at least a month.

On the other hand, my husband and I own a massage therapy studio. We've seen our business roll up and down, spiking and plummeting, seemingly blowing with the carefree wind. Our income is anything but consistent and we've filed countless cancellation notices from our clients due to "economic hardship". Oddly, as small business owners, we FUEL this economy. There can be no turn-around unless small business starts rebounding. The single mothers, students and grandparents on our payroll cannot put bread on the table unless clients walk through our doors. We carry this responsibility every day and do the best we can to make sure their schedules are full.

But, alas, addressing stress or chronic pain takes a back seat to paying the mortgage, health insurance or grocery bill. I don't get my nails done or my hair colored anymore, so I understand. We are smack-dab in the middle of the vicious economic cycle, caught in the maelstrom of failing markets, impending crises and shrinking budgets. The bright side, our generation has experienced the consequences of excessive consumption, careless spending and frivolity. As a mother, I know there is no better teacher than consequences and this is an economic lesson none of us will soon forget, including our children.