) hobby. 
I know I am not alone when I say, thanks! Of course, this also applies to those that raise kids, but didn't necessarily give birth to them too. It is very hard work. Not saying other proffessions aren't either, because they are. I've done other very tiring jobs too, before and during raising kids. It just seems to be a different kind of "tired" that I feel at the end of the day. Most jobs you can leave at the workplace when you are done for the day. My break is when I finally fall asleep at night, and trust me, not even then! I tell my husband that not only does he get a paycheck for what he does, but he constantly has people telling him how good he is at what he does, or he gets tips. Not that I want a pat on the back everytime I do the laundry -which is everyday-, just a little credit here and there. Yesterday we were arguing, and he told me "I get plenty of 'credit' for what I do." He has a tendancy to speak with out thinking sometimes. Needless to say, that comment did not go over well. It reminded me of the other night when we were out to eat for my husbands bday, and his parents were there. My daughter had thanked me for something she got for Christmas. I said that technically,it is from me and daddy. My daughter said" did he even know what we got for Christmas? Biting my toungue, I just forced a smile and said kind of...(I had bought every single Christmas item for everyone, and not once did my husband either help, nor did he even care to ask what was bought, even for his own kids! I had brought this up to him before, so he knew I was upset over it. )Anyway, after I say "kind of" my mil pipes in and says, "no, he just makes all the money!" I felt like dropping her right there.
