Last night DH and I started talking about me staying home. Right now he makes double what I make...so we live off of his income and use mine to invest. We currently only owe my parents some money for the down payment on our house and the mortgage...no other debt whatsoever. There is no 401K contribution at my job (I work for a non-profit). I don't LOVE my job...it's okay...very flexible but its not my "passion". We live well within our means...if I stay home we will have to cut back and watch more (such as groceries because I am careful, but buy whatever we feel like eating rather than REALLY budget, be more careful about a few other things too...but we only spend about $100 or less a month on food out, etc). I have decided that I am not going to come back full time...so at the very most I would work 20-24 hours a week if my boss will allow it (which I think he will). This means I would be spending $100 a week on day care, and bringing home about $300 a week...is that worth it??? I am stressing out about what to do because I want to have a better idea before people start asking me once we announce we are pregnant. All my friends/family who know we are pregnant seem to think I won't want to go back. I would love to stay home...but want to make sure we are ready for it.
Are you a SAHM? How does it work for you? Do you plan to be a SAHM? How did you make your decision?
Re: To be a SAHM or not...what are you doing?
My decision is kind of made for me. MH is a self employed attorney, and although he makes five times what I make, he does not have health benefits or a 403B match like I do. I'm basically going to continue to work for these reasons. Also, I'm finishing up my doctorate and I'm hoping to get a full time faculty position someday in the future. This will allow me to have a bit more flexibility and still have a home/career balance, which is important to me.
Personally, I think I will be a better mom if I continue to work. Some people are meant to be a SAHM, but I am not sure I'm one of them.
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I've been a SAHM since the school year ended in June. DS was born in December, I was on maternity leave until March and then I went back to finish out the school year. Its really up to you to decide if those $300 are worth it. How easily can you trim your income+$400 out of what you spend?
I recommend using an online budgeting tool if you don't already and take a few months to track your spending. We use mint.com because you can link all your credit cards and bank accounts to it. All your transactions show up automatically and they even do a pretty good job of guessing which budget category the transaction should come out of.
In order for me to stay home, we had to trim our personal and date budgets, as well as do things like canceling cable and getting rid of DH's smart phone.
I was on the fence about it because I really liked teaching and wasn't sure that I would be very good at being a homemaker. But it was ultimately very important for DH that I SAH. He even went so far as to say that if I wasn't going to, then he was going to quit his job and be a SAHD. He makes more than I did and has the potential to make more than I ever would, so we made the decision for me to stay home. MIL was always a SAHM and I think that played into DH's thoughts a lot. He said he always loved having his mom home and that she was able to help at his school, activities, etc. Good luck with your decision!
ETA: If you do decide to be a working mom, don't believe that someone else is "raising your babies." My parents both worked and while I loved the baby-sitters I had, I have never had any feelings that I wasn't raised by my parents. The values I have are from them, not from baby-sitters.
BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks
Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks on Nov 27 2012
I've considered being a SAHM, but we'd really have to cut back out lifestyle to make it on DH's salary alone. We'd have money for the basics, but there would be absolutely no extras, thank you cost of living in Los Angeles.
That said, DH is not at all in favor of the idea. I think it's because he wants to quit his job, but he makes more than me and has more earning potential, so it just doesn't make sense. He said I'd get bored and he's probably right, plus I'd be wasting 11 years of education and it would be hard for me to get back into my field if I took years off. It's still tempting, though.
This. I am definitely going to try to work as long as I can, even if it's just part time for a while.
I work full time and have no desire to be a SAHM. In the ideal world I'd love to work part time or even just 4 days a week, but I can not picture myself being home all that time. I know some people may think that makes me sound like a terrible mother but for me I need time away to be a better mother.Now some people love staying home and that is cool, jut not for me.
I don't see sending my child to daycare as lettings some else raise my kid and find the poster who said that to be totalyl offensive. Do you plan on homeschooling to? Because honestly that means that sending your child to school is also letting someone else raise your kid.
I think it is also important to look at things like saving and 401K contributions when determining if staying home is financially feasible. Will your staying home have an impact on that? Saving for the future is very important to us and living off one salary would mean cutting back on retirement savings which is something we are not willing to risk. The last thing I want is to burden my children when it come time for retirement just because i wanted to stay home.
Amen!!! Well said.
I am a SAHM and will continue to do so after this baby is born.
There was no way to justify the daycare expense vs. what I made working in the legal field. Daycare is outrageous where I live. My entire paycheck paid for daycare and gas. It wasn't worth it.
Some days are harder than others. Especially pregnant with a 2 year old terror running around.
We really have cut back on "entertainment" such as eating out, movies, etc. We also live very frugally (couponing, not buying prepared foods, etc.). We make it work and for the most part, I am happy.
Good luck! Every situation is different and it's a life-changing decision.
Other things to consider is money that is going into retirement and the cost of health benefits.
Could we probably swing it on one salary? Yes. Would we be able to do all the things with our children whether it be traveling, different sports teams, arts, whatever, on one salary? Probably not.
I work and would have it no other way. No one else is raising my children. To the poster who said that - it's just ridiculous to say. I do not understand why you would try to make other mothers feel bad because they are working either out of need or personal choice. I respect the choice that SAHMs made and I would hope that SAHMs would respect my choice as well.
I will probably go back to work after the 12 weeks of maternity leave. I don't really want to deal with all of the cutting back that would be involved in trying to live on hubby's salary.
that said, daycare here is very expensive at $1500/mth or more. if it turned out to be twins (highly unlikely of course) I'd have no choice but to stay at home since my pay after taxes and two daycare would leave me with barely anything and wouldn't be worth it.
I don't think I'd like being a full time SAHM anyway. I dunno, I think it would do my head in. I would like if I could take more maternity leave though, like 6 months+ but unfortunately here in the US it's not an option.
After our first I went back to work at 6 weeks pp. After our second I SAH. For us it was what worked out financially. With my first, I still made enough money to pay for daycare and still have more than enough leftover to help with bills, groceries, etc.
After our second, I made just about enough money to pay for both kids in daycare and gas to and from work....so we decided it would be better for us if I stayed at home.
Honestly it really depends on what works best for your family. We ended up cutting back on a few things, but found that as long as we were careful about our spending, our lifestyle didn't change much with me staying at home.
For me personally in your situation, if I was bringing home $300 extra a week after daycare it would be worth it to me. Especially if you can find a childcare that you really trust and love.
I love that I was able to be both a working mom and a SAHM. It helps me appreciate both sides of the argument.
That's the question of the hour in our house.
We've always lived on my husband's income and saved or invested mine (which is $30K higher than his). I don't think we spend extravagently or anything, but if we went to just his income, things are TIGHT. Like, on paper, they don't really work becuase we aren't saving much. I'd like to go to part-time if my employer will let me. But if they don't, I'll probably work full-time for a year to get even more money in savings. When the baby is born, we'll be almost at the point where our house is paid off, so that will help.
It stinks because you'd think a couple making what we make could make it work. But we can only make it work if we pay off our house (which we're about to do, but it's only gonna work well for 2 kids max) AND be okay with not saving much OR cancel things like life insurance policies, scale back retirement or replacing cars, like ever.
For us, we're giving ourselves the ability to stay home if I really am miserable working full time or my company doesn't allow me to go part-time. But then we'd be pretty much saying that I will go back to work at some point, even if we have little ones. I make $100K/year, so no matter what, we can afford daycare. But it's not always a financial decision, you know?
My sister is a SAHM and has offered to babysit, but probably not full-time - we'd pay her, but she's already got 3 at home. I don't know what we'll do.
I'll be going back to work, probably after 12 weeks. Though I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being with my daughter, I am also pretty career-oriented and would miss work. Being a SAHM not for me. Luckily we worked it out where we avoided day care for our daughter. The first 2 years my sister watched her; last year my husband watched her; and now she is in preschool 3x a week from 9 a.m.-noon, and I managed to switch around my work from home schedule to be here when she is...not so sure we'll be so lucky with this LO. GL with your decision. Everyone must do what is right for them and their family!
More generally speaking, I definitely think it's a personality thing. I can't imagine wanting to SAH full-time, but I have friends who do and really love it. They can't imagine wanting to work outside of the home. To each their own. I also recognize that since it's my first, my views could change drastically. I have to finish school, and though I assume I'll work right away afterwards (even if we have a #2 on the way), I'm open to making a different choice when the time comes (if it's financially feasible).
I went back to work when my DS was 9 weeks old and I intend on going back this time as well. I love my job and although we could possibly manage without my income, I prefer to be in the working world. My DS loves his babysitter and her family is like his second family. If I were you, I would maybe wait until your baby arrives to make the ultimate call, although you don't want to necessarily want to mislead your employer. Some people thrive on being SAHMs, I am one who would not. Its a very personal decision. Perhaps lurk or ask for opinions on the working moms or SAHM boards.
And seriously, try not to think in terms of "missing" your baby's first steps, etc. Because even if these milestones occur while you are working, when you see them yourself, it will be just as meaningful as it is the first time.
DD #1 passed away in January 2011 at 14 days old due to congenital heart disease
DD#2 lost in January 2012 at 23 weeks due to anhydramnios caused by a placental abruption
It's not an option for me, as I am the breadwinner in our house. DH might actually stay home for awhile instead. He doesn't really make enough to justify the daycare expense.
I'm not sure if I would stay home if I could, my job is not that great, but I do work with a lot of great people and I would miss the adult interaction I think.
Also both my parents worked and I went to daycare, and I turned out just fine! I definitely don't feel like I was raised by a daycare provider. I barely even remember those days.
I'm a SAHM. With what good day care costs in the DC area, it just wouldn't have made sense for me to go back to work. The little bit of extra income we would have had from me just wasn't worth it for us. I'll be honest--being a SAHM is hard. It can be very isolating if you don't have family and/or friends with kids close by. I really had to make an effort to join moms' groups and put myself out there--otherwise, the boredom and loneliness would've killed me.
I'm really happy with my decision, but I know it's not the right one for everyone. Some moms work because they need the money. Some work because their careers are very important to them. Some work because they believe it's a good example for their children. Some work because the idea of staying home all day with babies and toddlers makes them want to scream. All of these reasons are perfectly valid, and whether you work or stay home, your child will be JUST FINE.
Listen to your heart and do what feels right...
I second all of this!!! Being a SAHM would have killed me had I not joined a moms group. I'm actually the President of my local MOMS Club. Best decision I ever made. I now have about 30 people that I can count on if I need a break or just need to go out to lunch with a friend or anything. It makes staying at home so much more enjoyable!
When we made the transition to me being a SAHM we took advantage of the last few months of my pregnancy while I was working and put my entire paycheck in savings. It helped us get a feel for what life would be like and it helped build up a "safety net" so the trasition wasn't so scary.
You should take into account how much you spend to work too. You would be surprised. Clothes, gas, lunches and lots of misc. expenses add up too. Pair that up with daycare expenses and see where that puts you. For me I ended up not making enough in the end so we decided it was best for me to be home.
This is offensive. I am a working mom and my husband and I raise our son. Our day care provider watches him during the day. WE are the parents.
I love being a working mom. I have worked hard to get to where I am in my career and I know being a SAHM would stifle me.
To each their own.
This is us. I'm the breadwinner, so I'll be heading back to work after 3 months maternity leave. DH is in school and looking for a job, but if his job isn't >$1800/month in daycare (thank you, Boston daycare costs), he will have to be the primary caretaker for now. He will do it, but he's not really "that guy," if you know what I mean. We'll see.
DD #1 born 4/1/2012
My Married Bio
I'm a WAHM. I work while DS is sleeping, so pretty much I am a SAHM.
I wouldn't trade it for the world. I think since you're a first time mom, you're asking if $300 is "worth it," but it's not the right question. The money, in your situation, is not the issue at all.
I've been a Full-time working mom and also a WAHM and I can tell you, that while being a SAHM is hard, it's WAY HARDER sending your child to be raised by someone else and missing them with every fiber of your being while they're away from you.
You have no idea what is going to change when you have your baby. The magnetism between the two of you will be palpable, and you won't want to leave their side.
IF you have a choice, and not-working is actually and option (some people it isn't), then please stay home. Join a mommy group (meetup.com), and enjoy the most wonderful, challenging, inspiring time of your life.
My best advice is to allow yourself some time after the baby comes to make this decision, if at all possible. I was pretty adamant that I would never be a SAHM, but after I had DD, my life completely changed. I really didn't want to work anymore, expecially because my job is not something I love or am passionate about. Eventually, my husband and I compromised that I would stay home after this new baby is born in April. So after #2, I will be a SAHM.
Some people have the oppostie experience, though, and discover that they really don't have the temperment or interest in being a SAHM once they experience what it is actually like. If possible, it's great to leave your options open, at this point, and make the decision after you see what it is really like to take of your child 24/7.
I've been a SAHM for the last 5 years and I really love staying home. We are tight on money but we make it work. Before kids we lived on DH's income and saved all of mine. Now we try to save some (on top of 401k contributions) but our savings is not nearly growing like it used to. We decided it was a priority for me to be home over building our net worth. If we needed my salary to live, that might be a different story. I was a teacher pre-kids so I'm not sure my salary would even cover the cost of daycare for two kids.
I love staying home but I know it's not for everyone. I like not having too much of schedule. Right now my kids in are preschool in the morning and they do a few organized activities but we have a lot of down time to just hang out, play in the backyard, go to friends houses, etc.
DD1 9.24.06
DS 7.1.08
twins due 9.7.11 lost twin A at
DD2 4.7.12
I earn more than twice what my husband does, so being a SAHM will not be an option. Even if we moved to a cheaper apartment, we simply could not live on his salary in our area. I also get much better benefits and insurance. Even if money weren't an issue, I am pretty positive I'd still want to work. I love my job and have spent 15 years building a career. Plus, my own mother was in a situation where she was a SAHM and stuck with a husband who cheated on her and did other things because she knew she couldn't support us on her own - she would kick my butt if I didn't go back to work. I do plan on taking at least a 4 month maternity leave though.
We toyed with having DH be a SAHD since he wasn't earning much but he just got a huge raise this week (yay!) so I think that is out the window. Most likely the baby will be in daycare. Yes, clearly I will be a terrible mother who's letting someone else raise my child (WTF kind of attitude is that??).