Would you rather "work" or be a "sahm"??

[LoCo]

Just curious:) which one?

[PKKXP]

I'm a SAHM who works very part time from home and I love it. I think I'd be miserable leaving my kids and going to work.

[Just Add Water]

i'm trying to decide this at the moment, both have different challenges and i have done both. Can't decide!

[Boobycino]

I'd rather be a sahm, but after 2 years I'm starting to think id rather get out and do something for a bit.

[Lillynix]

SAHM for sure. I just can't fathom not being the sole, primary carer of my children. I'm 4.5 years in to being a SAHM with many more to come.

I miss working for sure, and I certainly miss the adult/social interaction (hospitality industry) but yeah, being here for my children is more important to our family values :)

[Bell & Bug]

SAHM hands down :)

[BB85]

Unfortunately being a SAHM was too much work for me :eek:

I envy those women who can put their whole lives into their children, but I do enjoy working. I aslo enjoy being able to provide experiences for my son that we wouldn't have otherwise.

[Hokey Pokey]

Nothing makes me happier than being home with my babies :)

[threechooks]

My two days a week at work gives me good balance :D

[Pinkzy]

Both :(

Don't get me wrong, I love being a SAHM but there's only so much playing, changing, feeding, cleaning, shopping etc I can take. I really want to go back to work part time, I'll be talking to my old boss next week so I'm hoping we can work something out. Once I start working I plan on getting back into the gym too so I can have a decent amount of "work" time and a decent amount of "me" time too :)

[BMJBC]

SAHM for sure. I just can't fathom not being the sole, primary carer of my children. I'm 4.5 years in to being a SAHM with many more to come.

I miss working for sure, and I certainly miss the adult/social interaction (hospitality industry) but yeah, being here for my children is more important to our family values :)

Totally agree.

I took a "break" from being a SAHM for roughly 3-4 months to go work & our son, who was 11months at the time developed Pnemonia & had to spend 3 days in hospital. I couldn't help but feel guilty, so I quit again & am waiting until our youngest is in school.
Whilst we can afford to do it like this, I'd much rather be at home.

[krystallxx]

I tried working 2-3days a week for a few hours in the morning so I didn't miss much of my boys and didn't really like it. I much prefer waking up with my boys, having weetbix and rice bubble spread everywhere then be at work. I study at home tho Which I absolutely loveee :)

[The Fox]

well I study at uni part time and i find it gives me a good balance, id love to be at uni forever :bee: and just study different things that interest me :) I would also love to do volunteer work with vulnerable people such as refugees/asylum seekers, Indigenous Australians, youth etc, something in advocacy etc

[3LilMonkies]

If I were completely honest I think I'd go back to work. I like being a SAHM but don't love it iykwim. I feel bad for feeling that way, and I feel bad for wanting to leave them, but at the same time I cannot stand being cooped up in a house. I want to be out and doing something iykwim.

[iLOVEthree]

I'd much prefer to be a SAHM! I do miss working but I like being him with my children. I also have no choice as husband works FIFO.

[decambla]

I love being a SAHM. I have been for 7 years now with about 3 more til our youngest is off to school. I can't imagine doing it any other way. When our youngest is at school I may go back to part time but it will have to fit in with the school drop off and pick up, sports on weekends. Being "there" is the most important thing to me

[Hera]

Neither. I would rather what I am, which is WAHM. I'm sole carer of my children, day in day out (which is most important to me), but with the added bonus of some extra mental stimulation and some extra adult interaction each day. When I was just a SAHM, I used to go crazy not having *something* else to do - it was lovely in the beginning but I needed more after a while otherwise I actually became a bit depressed.

If I couldn't be a WAHM though I would choose SAHM hands down.

[Pregnor]

If we could afford it i'd be a sahm til the kids start school. But at this stage i'm aiming to stay home til bub is 15 months- same age as ds when he started care. I have been offered work from home so hopefully that will be enough to keep us on top of everything

[BigRedV]

I have been on maternity leave for 7 months and due to return to work 2 days a week on Tuesday. I am sad and happy at the same time. The last few weeks, I have been bored and losing my patience. I find when I work, I appreciate the time with my children more. I wouldn't want to work more than 3 days though, and have someone else look after my children more than 50% of the time.

[Addiesmum]

I worked part time so three consecutive days a week and then the rest at home with my two daughters and I loved it, it was the perfect balance of adult time away and then special bonding time with my girls. I am now on maternity leave with the prospect of not going back to work this time and I really don't think I can handle being a full time stay at home mum to 3 kids, 3 years and under, 7 days a week. But childcare is too expensive for 3 kids. I love my kids but they drive me bonkers, Lol!! I can't wait to add a third to the mix (i'm due in 2 weeks) and then I'll know I'm alive!! Lol : S

[~ElectricPink~]

To be honest...I really don't think that I could go back to being a full time SAHM!! As much as I adore being a mum......I also need some time to just be "me", to pursue my own aspirations, and to work towards a better future for myself and my son. I stayed at home with DS for the first two years, and have been studying part-time since then. If I wasn't studying, I'd be working part-time. I feel as though I have the best of both worlds this way :)

[delirium]

Perfect scenario for me is working casual, but while DH is still studying it's not worth my while yet.

I don't regret being a SAHM one bit. But I will enjoy returning to my career in 2 years when DD is off to school. I have come to a point when I am over the constant cycle of housework and no time to myself.

[loving6]

I have been a SHAM for 17 years (execpt for 6 months when I was the bread winner) and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[MsMummy]

I work 4 days a week in a relatively stressful job.

I would prefer to work 2 days but don't think I could get those conditions in my current job.

[soexcited]

I work full time at the moment and I would much rather be a SAHM. I know that is"work" too - keeping them entertained all day etc but I would love to be with my son all day and not spend my weekends trying to fit in cleaning without taking away from my precious free time with my son

[JabberJaw]

I have been a working mum and a SAHM, now i am a SAHM who works in the afternoon when daddy gets home.....which is perfect, i love it. So i dont really know what i am classed as, but yeah, we dont use childcare!

[FearlessLeader]

i am going back to work pt in a few weeks and all i can say is: 'yeeeeeeeeeeHAW!' :smiliedance:

I love my son and i love my job, i get to spend time doing both which i am very grateful for. I'd also like my children growing up seeing that their mother has a life outside the home, other dreams and aspirations than only caring for them. If i weren't working and was a full time SAHM i'm sure i'd find other ways of showing this, such as volunteering, studying or something else, but for me it will be through my career.
,

[Lil M]

I'm a SAHM & sometimes wish I could work a couple of days & leave DS with his grandparents but as his grandparents live in the uk it's not possible. There's no way I'd concider child care (not that there's anything wrong with it, just not for me as I'm too OCD) So in answer to the question. SAHM hands down.

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

Good question, LoCo, so are you weighing up your options?

I'm a sahm for 3+ yrs now, I worked part time from home for a while, but once I was pg with dd2, it all got too hard... so I quit :cheerleader1: I'm a quitter lol! But I love not being beholden to anyone except two extremely demanding toddlers lol!

I won't lie, its got its downside, boredom and isolation being the main ones. Living on one wage can be a challenge too, we are lucky, we can manage on dh's wage. It can be so frustrating dealing with kids 24/7, its easy to underestimate the impact it can have on your life. And life will always throw its challenges at you, whether you are in or out of the office.

But the upside... you get to mould these little people who you cherish with all your heart. Its a learning experience like no other, ideals vs reality, wanting to spoil them rotten vs creating upstanding little citizens. You are busy but you can organise things that are difficult to do when you work 9-5. You get to meet lots of interesting people that exist in the non-9-5 world (cos life does not stop at 9.01 lol!). And the challenges life throws up... well I just like being able to dedicate myself to them, rather than having to fit them in around the boss. I earn no wage but I am my own boss.

In a nutshell, it has been tough for us, but if I had to make my choices all over again, i would make the same ones. For sure. :hugs:

[JustUs3]

I have the best of both worlds- i work partime so i spend 3 days at work and have 4 days at home with DD, it's a great balance for me :yes:.

[ojmum]

I would prefer to be a SAHM for a few years but our life would be so stressful financially that it would not be worth it. I only work 2 days a week but it makes a HUGE difference to our quality of life...my kids are with their grandmas or dad on my work days. I find two days a good balance!

[FiveInTheBed]

Staying at home with my kiddies for me!! :hyper:

I love it! ..I do 'work' but on our own home - we are doing renovations so we are kept pretty busy as a team.

DS1 goes of to school this year - on Wednesday..and then DS2&DD go next year..so I have twelve months left of my 6 1/2 years out of the 'workforce' !
...not only has it given me time to get to know ME and give me a new direction in what I wish to do in the future - it has given me the 'bestest time' with my little ones.
I am very grateful for our circumstances which allow me to stay at home - even though somedays we struggle - I do not long to be any where else x

[sandy_1902]

i would rather work ATM

[scarlett41]

I miss work. Well only elements of it really and I have my good days and bad days.

Financially I don't need to go back to work so I'm just working casually which suits our lifestyle. I can say yes or no-DH works shifts so he is home with DS and it gives me my time.

Having said that DS is only 9 months old and is still fairly unpredictable in terms of sleep and stuff... I can see myself LOVING being a SAHM when I can organise our life a bit better
Monday shopping, Tuesday swimming, Wednesday playgroup etc etc!! Right now I just feel like a shag on a rock as there is no consistency in our life.

If I could earn what my husband earns we would seriously consider him being the SAHD!! But it would be crazy to give up his salary for mine at the moment ( I LOVE my job he works 'coz he has to!!)

Getting there though slowly but surely-then i'll go and get pregnant or something silly like that!!:laughing:

[MsMummy]

I would also be loath to ever not work for a long period of time. My mother didn't work for 20 years, then she left my dad after we left home, and now is doing a minimum wage job.

I do find it comforting that if my partner and I separated then I could be okay off my own wage without relying on anybody else.

Although a colleague had 10 years off work, and she was able to come back in the same work, but had to go back to a more junior rate of pay.

[kewpie doll]

I'm a single mum so I have to work a few days... But if I could have it my way I'd be a full time SAHM.. I have a question for other full time SAHMs.. What do you do when you want to buy something for yourself? Do you get given an allowance??


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[JPT]

I have been working full time since dd was 10 months old, however it was a small sacrifice to be able to go back part time after this bub at around the same time.
After this bub I will only work part time as well as having my own business (weekend work only).
The cash injection we have now into our mortgage working full-time will set us up for a while :)
I dont think I could be a SAHM full time as I struggle to entertain dd as it is let alone on a full time basis

[MsMummy]

I'm a single mum so I have to work a few days... But if I could have it my way I'd be a full time SAHM.. I have a question for other full time SAHMs.. What do you do when you want to buy something for yourself? Do you get given an allowance??


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My partner had no income for 18 months as he was studying. I was working, and we just had a joint account. we just both used it as needed. I didn't care what he bought, but I could tell he felt guilty about spending money on himself while he wasn't financially contributing.

[Blonde Assassin]

I'm lucky I have a profession which enables me to run my own business & operate it exclusively from home :goodvibes: So I kinda get a bit of both :D

I have no intentions of returning to work until my son is ready for school

[embryonichappyperson]

I have been a SAHM for 9 years and I'm quite content being just that. I have no intention of working in the near future.

[share a book]

Whichever is best for us at the time. If I'm needed at home, I'll stop working and be home. If I'm not needed so much at home, and need the money more than needing to be home, I'll get some work.

[iMischa]

im 6 yrs in being a stay at home mum, and this year will be my last year, next year i will find a part time job 2-3 days a week, and im SOOOOOOOOOOO looking fwd to it.

love my kiddies but i feel this overwhelming urge to become a part of the outside world again. i'm pretty excited!

[Pina Colada]

Wow. No 'allowance' here! The money dh earns is in no way 'his' money. It is the households income. And I take care of finances. Dh has no idea what goes on and asks me if it is ok to buy a large purchase.

[Hera]

Wow. No 'allowance' here! The money dh earns is in no way 'his' money. It is the households income. And I take care of finances. Dh has no idea what goes on and asks me if it is ok to buy a large purchase.

We had the same situation. I think allocating an 'allowance' devalues the role of SAHM somewhat.

[LibranTwin]

I work 3 days a week and love my time at home and my time at work. There is no way I could work full time and sad to say but I don't think I would enjoy being home full time either!

[waterlily]

SAHM without a doubt. I would like to go to uni or do some type of job were the option was there for me to work at home along with going into work. I used to run my own business but I don't think I could do it again.