Do You Like To Work Or Prefer Being A SAHM

[Holladee]

I prefer being a sahm. Right now I have a very small in home daycare (only two kids) and it is working fine. In two years, I will be able to just stay home with my own kids and I am looking forward to it.

That being said, why do we need to judge other women who find fulfillment and satisfaction with having a job outside of the home? Even if they don't need the income if their job is something that is important to them, then they should be able to work without judgement from other mothers.

Being a stay at home parent or a stay at home parent who does in home daycare can be an extremely isolating job. Not everyone is cut out for it.

Where is the judgement for all of the dads that go to work each day?

[learn-n-grow]

I have to say I would be working if it wasn't for the extreme cost of daycare for my daughter. It's hard to get time with her while taking care of the other kids. It's getting a little better since they are getting older but still, i do miss working and seeing other adults and having an adult conversation. I guess i'm probably the only one that feels like this on here

No you're not, I feel the same way! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[blueclouds29]

No you're not, I feel the same way! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Makes me feel better! Thanks!

[tbutler]

I don't *have* to do daycare. I do it because it allows me to contribute financially, which I feel is important, and still be here for my own children. It allows us fun vacations and toys.
Fortunately I don't have to do it either. I hope to use the extra for vacations and toys too! (I just started in August)

Truth be told, I was a SAHM for years before I started doing this and I honestly feel I'm a better mom to my own kids since starting my daycare. I make a point to be more involved with them and to make the time we have alone together really count.

[COLOR="rgb(75, 0, 130)"]I too feel that I'm a better mom after losing my job in June. I now get to spend more time with my kids. I'm not getting off work and rushing to do dinner, baths, and send them to bed. Now dinner and homework are done by 4:30 before the last kid gets picked up. ::[/COLOR]

[KathiMora]

I think whether a woman decides to work or stay at home after having a baby is not just a factor of her circumstances, but also her individual choice. It would be wrong to sit in judgment of women who go back to work just like it would be unfair to put down the ones who choose to stay at home.

Personally, I would choose a middle path – a work at home career that lets me stay with my children, but also allows me to earn money as well as stay connected with the professional world. Thanks to professions like medical transcription, virtual assistance, medical coding and billing, etc. that can be broken into with vocational training programs, working from home is a much more realistic option than we choose to believe!

[Solandia]

I did the sahm only thing for a year, and really...I had too much free time. Even though I was homeschooling, it wasnt enough. I HAVE to do something more...

Having a home daycare was very much a choice, almost a calling really..not due to lack of options. And I have homeschooled all along. Dh would love it if I dropped the daycare, and just homeschooled...but really, it doesn't work out that easily....he would need to give me more kids of our own or something. LOL.

As it is, We planned on me working through the little kid years and once my oldest got to be a teen, I would go to being a sahm completely. Our philosophy is the opposite of most....once they are older, we feel a sah parent is essential....little kids are fun, and lots of physical hands on needs. For the teen years, I want to be home and available to my kids, emotionally & physically. I don't want them to find their primary emotional support from their BFF's mom or *shudder* from boyfriends at 14yo. There is more to it that just that, I think transitioning teens from kids to adults require more available time than traditionally given.

Anyway, my oldest is 12.5yo, and we have been slowing downgrading the daycare (which is harder than you would think!). My 12yo gets very upset to think of the kids we have not being there...my 9yo would be very happy to say good-bye to them all. My 1 year olds have no opinion. Hopefully I can transition to sahm more successfully than last time.

[Cat Herder]

I need to work. IMHO, My DH did not take me to raise and my parents did not raise me to be dependent.

I need to be home with my kids. I don't want to give up what little time they are actually children.

I found middle ground. I have no regrets.

[hoopinglady]

I am a single mother

and like Nanny, this is the closest I can get to staying home while still supporting my family.

I'd stay home in heartbeat if I could.

I love my job very much but it isn't ideal.

Since we're talking a perfect world, I suppose if I had abundant resources and staff I'd continue directing and working part time in a lovely daycare program. Maybe.

[cheerfuldom]

I'd love to be a SAHM. I have to do daycare but at least I get to take care of my babies. I am finishing my degree though so I can get a job after they are school age (at least part time). I like being busy and having a purpose. Taking care of kids and home isn't entirely fulfilling for me.

[Country Kids]

Wow! I'm surprised how many actually would be a stay at home mom. This just reconfirms to me that women actually want to be home with their children and not have the distraction of work. I know that if I didn't work I would be able to do so much more with my family and actually make them #1 in my life. I also know my husband and I would have a much better relationship. We have a great one know but it wouldn't hurt to do even better.