Clicky Poll - SAHM or Working Mom: Is it right for you?

GraceInCA

All you special snowflakes can explain yourselves in the comments, if you feel you need to do so.

TheTamedShrew

I SAH, and some days I think it's right, and other days I don't. C'est la vie. 

Cricket81

I love being a SAHM, but we can't really afford it any more so I am in the process of revamping my résumé and applying for jobs. I hate the idea of it, but I am super grateful for the year I had off with him.

musicalsilver

I said I'm a working mom and it's not right for me.  

I'm so burnt out at my current "job".  I'm getting a new job hopefully by the end of the year, so I'm fervently hoping to land something I'm more passionate about.  

I love the experiences that LO gets at Montessori, and in some ways I wouldn't want to stay at home and deprive him of those (how's that for a bit of an UO?), but I just hate what I do now, and the amount of time I spend stressing about it, and staying home with LO and actually having *some* time to keep up the house like I want to ... yeah.

I have a friend in my field who managed to find a part-time gig - they're super rare, and I'm definitely jealous!  I'd loooove to do that.  Have LO in Montessori until early afternoon, and then have the rest of the afternoon with him.  That would be the best of both worlds for now I think.  I'm just not sure how the finances would work out.

GraceInCA

I tried the SAH thing with my first child, and it's just not for me. I did get the best of both worlds in some ways because I had a very extended maternity leave and spent tons of time with my daughter in the first year of her life (and I take about a month and a half off a week or two at a time every year), but working is the right decision for me. 

tiffletons518

I've done both. I was a working mom for a little over 4 years, and now I've been a sahm for a little over 4 years. I hated every second of being a working mom. My worst day at home is infinitely better than my best day ever was at work.

mamainVA2013

I said I'm a hybrid and it is right for me. I am a teacher, so I feel like I get to be a SAHM for a couple months out of the year. I am enjoying my extended time off with DD, but I'm excited about the start of the school year because I do love teaching. It would be really hard for me to leave DD if I didn't love my job.

MorganWP

I stay at home and Im not sure its right for me personally but it is financially.

momofcatan

GraceInCA said:

I tried the SAH thing with my first child, and it's just not for me. I did get the best of both worlds in some ways because I had a very extended maternity leave and spent tons of time with my daughter in the first year of her life (and I take about a month and a half off a week or two at a time every year), but working is the right decision for me. 

So much of this describes me. I had the year maternity leave and it taught me I am not meant to be a SAHM. I don't love working, but (I hate saying this, it makes me so sad, but it is the truth) I honestly think that spending some time apart makes me a better mom. I think DD is getting a great experience at daycare and I hope that once she starts elementary school I'll be able to have a job where I can be home when she gets home from school.

WasNotWas

every word that @araziza said, except I do love my job

GraceInCA

 

WasNotWas said:

every word that @araziza said, except I do love my job

Ditto this.

HeartLikeMine3

Right now I SAH but work 1 day a week. Next month I will go to two days a week. The days I work I feel so stressed trying to get myself and LO fed and dressed. There is no way I could cook dinner on those days. I am working for financial reasons but would perfect not to work at all. I don't know how working moms get everything done props to you all.

numbersgirl08

I'm working and I definitely think it is right for our family.  It's hard sometimes but I think overall is best for us.

LaBellaVida

I'm a sahm, but I'd prefer to work.
With the cost of daycare though *$90+ a day! * there is no way I'd bring enough in to even cover that!
My last job I worked nights, with an amazing boss who worked with my schedule, so I didn't have to worry about daycare since my husband was home by 430 pm to watch the kids.
My husband's job now is very demanding with unpredictable hours. He goes to work as we are getting up in the morning, and often doesn't get home until the kids have gone to bed.

GalLaura

I'm at a SAH mom and I love it. I can't imagine it any other way. I surprised myself because before living in Sydney I was working in NYC, traveling and had a very fulfilling single life. It's such an amazing journey. My only woe is money. I'll probably go back when lo is 5 and work until I die. Lol.

BC&LM

I said I am a working mom, and I just don't know. I would so much rather be home with LO, but it would be hard to maintain our lifestyle and provide LO with the opportunities/benefits we do (swim lessons, memberships to places like museums, organic food, great health insurance, vacations, etc.) with just one of us working. Plus, I'm scared to death if one of us quit that the other might get laid off at some point in the future and then we would be S.O.L.!

I am a teacher, so at least I have lots of days off in the summer with LO. (We send him to daycare two-three days a week since we have to pay to hold his spot anyway and to keep him in a routine, and sometimes I work part time those days.)

whitney2302

I selected working mom and it's right for me.  I found out on maternity leave I was not cut out to be a SAHM.  I would love to work part time...3 days a week.  But that's not possible with my current job and I like it enough to stick with it for now.  

PinkPuffyHeart2

SAHM & don't know-- loved being there the 1st year and for us it was/is the right decision but I say I don't know because part of me wants her in PT daycare for the social interaction with kids and part of me really wants to work bc I'm bored and want money. But I feel so torn because I love being with her!

Diana909

I was a SAHM up until last month. It's been awesome for both of us. Vinny is a happier baby being at daycare. He's definitely a people person and they just love him where he goes. I'm loving getting back into the workforce. I struggled being at home the last few months and I knew it was time for me to depart from the SAHM world. For me, it's been easier for to work than to stay home. I was a super paranoid ftm.

dmlk413

I picked working mom and right for me. As much as I miss DD and would love to have more time with her, daycare has been so good for her and has provided her with more than I can. I don't particularly love my job but I like knowing that I contribute financially to our family. With both of us working, we can give DD way more than DH and I had growing up (we both grew up pretty poor). Also, the thought of leaving the workforce freaks me out; by working, I know that if DH and I split up or he lost his job or whatever, I would be able I support DD and myself.

megaroo64

I am off this month, so I have been a SAHM for the last two weeks (I work in education- go summer break!!). The original plan was to be off all next year- with baby two on the way it seemed like a good idea. However, after two weeks, I KNOW I would have trouble being a SAHM all the time. Thank God my job offered me part time for next year- I think it will be the best for everyone. I will get lots of time with my kiddos- and they will get some time with the babysitter too- who helps them socialize with other kids and has tons of fun activities for them. Oh, and I will get time at work, at a job I love. I haven't completely lived it yet, but I strongly believe that part time will be best for me-- and them.

ConnieRob

I clicked that I'm a SAHM and it's right for me but.... I was a WM when Jack was 5months to 4 years old and I enjoyed working then too. When we moved cross country it made more financial sense for me to SAHM. I plan on going to nursing school next fall when Will is 2, so he will be going to daycare then.

BunnyLove416

I think being a working mom is probably the right choice for me. Lord knows I'm too paranoid a person to live in a single income household with a husband who is a freelancer with an unpredictable schedule/income, but at the moment I'm so burned out by my commute on daycare days (2 hours each way that involve a long walk train ride and driving) that I'm daydreaming about staying home. That aside though I know I wouldn't be a great SAHM, the patience that requires is just beyond my abilities. 

flerlgirl

I had to become a SAHM with Josh and I am not sure if it is right for me or not. Right now it's the best option for our family so I am glad I'm able to do it. I can see myself going back to work at least PT when they are in school but I have no idea what I would do. If professional Thin Mint eater was a job I'd leave my kids in a heartbeat.

jmcgra06

I work 3.5 days a week, and DH is home with DD 1.5 of those days. It works out well for us, though I do wish I didn't have to work one of those days.

weddinginthecove

I have been back to work for the past month and it is definitely not right for me. I really hate my job, so it could also be partly that. I loved my year off with L and I wish financially we did not need me to work.