How did you decide to become a SAHM?
Apr 23, 2015 15:34:34 GMT -5
Post by nixwi on Apr 23, 2015 15:34:34 GMT -5
I continued to work FT after our first 3 kids, b/c the money and mostly the benefits were too good to give up. Shortly after returning from leave with #3, I was able to go down to 4 days a week as part of a transition OUT, and I left last spring. We had baby #4 this January! This is the first time I didn't have to go back to work after "maternity leave" and I LOVE that, personally. There are good things on both sides (working and not). We had baby #1 in daycare until her brother was born, and then we got a nanny b/c the costs then were approximately equal. Some people LOVE their daycares--there are all different experiences with that. I personally wasn't thrilled with ours, but I have friends who absolutely love the center that their child attends.
Anyway, I left b/c I had always wanted to stay home, I was ready for a change from my job, and we were hitting the point where it was not possible for both of us to continue to do a good job at work AND home without a super great nanny PLUS occasional evening care. That would be worth doing for some people, but I wanted to be the one to see the kids off in the morning, take them kids to activities, stay when they were sick, go to school for their events, and be home when they got off the bus. We were having a harder and harder time managing everything and with DD#1 starting kindergarten, I really wanted/needed more flexibility. The kids were starting to be in more activities and there were more parent events. I was working 35 to 45 minutes away and DH also, and my commute was crappy, so I couldn't just stop in for an event and then go back to work. With 3 (now 4) kids, managing all the check-ups, haircuts, dental appts, preschool helper volunteer days, field trips, etc. was getting increasingly difficult and stressful with work. It finally became worth giving up my income/benefits. I still worry about what I gave up, and what I will do career-wise in the future, but for now I love being home. Especially last summer, my first summer "off", was wonderful. We got to do so many fun things that I couldn't have done while working, and I just loved it.
Good luck with your decision.
Anyway, I left b/c I had always wanted to stay home, I was ready for a change from my job, and we were hitting the point where it was not possible for both of us to continue to do a good job at work AND home without a super great nanny PLUS occasional evening care. That would be worth doing for some people, but I wanted to be the one to see the kids off in the morning, take them kids to activities, stay when they were sick, go to school for their events, and be home when they got off the bus. We were having a harder and harder time managing everything and with DD#1 starting kindergarten, I really wanted/needed more flexibility. The kids were starting to be in more activities and there were more parent events. I was working 35 to 45 minutes away and DH also, and my commute was crappy, so I couldn't just stop in for an event and then go back to work. With 3 (now 4) kids, managing all the check-ups, haircuts, dental appts, preschool helper volunteer days, field trips, etc. was getting increasingly difficult and stressful with work. It finally became worth giving up my income/benefits. I still worry about what I gave up, and what I will do career-wise in the future, but for now I love being home. Especially last summer, my first summer "off", was wonderful. We got to do so many fun things that I couldn't have done while working, and I just loved it.
Good luck with your decision.
