Actually, I have heard this. I've been called a "leach". I've been asked how I can stand "being a non-person". I've been called a "breeder". I've had friends who try to stay home for a few months, then go back to work because they couldn't stand "not having my own life". I love the backward compliments of people who laud my decision to stay home with my family because "I couldn't stand giving up a meaningful existence" and who couldn't do it simply because being a SAHM was the most "boring" thing they could imagine.
The attitude does exist. At first I found it hurtful. Now I just find it sad.
I know exactly what you mean.
I was working from home when my daughter was born, and if I did have to go somewhere to meet with a client, I would bring her with me. Some people (not clients) found that practice strange, but generally it was just accepted.
I have a picture of me standing in the lobby of the Capitol Building in Dover, DE taken about36 hours before my daughter was born. I have a picture of me standing in the exact same place holding her exactly 1 year later. If I had a committee hearing to attend, the women that worked there all fought over who was going to keep my baby while I attended the hearing, they all loved the fact that I actually figured out a way to be both a full time mommy and continue working.
I've been called a "breeder" too.
I've been asked "are you sad you gave up your dreams?"
I've been asked "do you lose yourself? do you feel like a slave?"
But apparantly those were just the voices in our head talking to us - deluded ladies that we are.