Today is national "Take Your Child to Work Day".  But when one valley stay-at-home mom asked if she could keep her kids home from school so they could see what she does all day, she was told no.

So, should parents be allowed to keep their kids out of school to spend the day shadowing mom or dad at home?

Waay 31's Mallory Hoff spoke with Sandra Thompson, a mother of three and a proud stay at home Mom. 

Thompson says she considers hers a professional job and when she planned for bring your child to work day, she thought that as a stay at home mom it would be good for her kids to see what she does all day.

"I approached the teacher and asked her if it would be ok for Adriane to spend a day and see what my job is all about. They came back and said that my job is not considered a professional job."

Sandra took her concerns to the Superintendent of Madison County Schools, Dr. Terry Davis. 

"He told me how much he admires my job, how important my job is, that his own wife stays home with their children."

But still he refused to allow it. WAAY 31 made multiple attempts to contact Dr. Davis, but he did not return our calls. Madison County Schools Director of PR, Geraldine Tibbs, issued a statement saying that the Madison County school system supports "Take Your Child to Work Day" and that they asked students that participate to present evidence of their involvement in order to receive an excused absence for the day.

We asked Sandra Thompson is she is being discriminated against. "Yes, I am. I feel very much so.  What the superintendent told me is that he felt like if he let stay at home moms leave their kids home they will end up watching tv or will not have any activity."

Sandra says this is an insult to a woman who has dedicated her life to her kids.

She contacted the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation.  Representatives told her their goal is to expose girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day. Their website even has suggestions for how a stay at home parents can participate.

But Sandra says the superintendent told her Madison County Schools are not affiliated with the foundation and will not go by their guide lines.}

If Sandra does decide to keep her kids at home to show them her job, they will have unexcused absences.     

We want to hear from you...  

Should a stay at home mom be able to take part in take your child to work day ... Even if the work is done within the home?

Send an email to newsroom AT waaytv.com. You can also vote in our poll at www.waaytv.com