How long do you plan to be a SAHM?

bv27

Just curious, but how long are you planning to stay at home? Is anyone planning to go back to work eventually? If so, are you doing anything to stay relevant in your field?

I'm planning to stay at home for a few years, until my daughter goes to preschool or kindergarten, although of course plans can change depending on our finances and circumstances. I was curious what other moms were planning.

Thanks!

IshaM

Forever... lol No I am just playing. I plan to be a SAHM until we have had all the children we want and they are in at least elem school and I have obtained my PH.D. Then its totally my choice if I want to go back to work or not.

ali-1411

I have no idea.  Orginally the plan was I would start job hunting in September.  But I'm really liking this and we're doing fine financially.  I'd also like to get back to school but I don't know for what. 

Mrs.Bert

As of right now, I'm staying home for 1-2 years...of course, things will probably change!  I don't know how I'll be as a SAHM, but I'm really excited to give it a go! 

mandymack

Hi there!

I have SAH for 3 1 /2 years and have LOVED it!  I really have no plans to return to work as of right now, even after Emily goes to Kindergarten because we are looking to have more children right around that time. 

Chrisy-Wyobride

I have SAH for almost 5yrs now & will for a few more at least....BUT I will probably start up my own business (Architecture firm) here in the next year or so...depending on how that does, I may get some part-time childcare help if needed.  I'd really like to swing it that even when my kids are in school, I can be done w/ work by 3-ish so they don't have to go to afterschool programs everyday.  If my own thing doesn't work out, I'll probably go back to work F/T when the youngest starts preschool (which is the same school as elementary).  We can't really afford private schools for 3 (it'll be a struggle w/ 2 & me still SAH) w/out me working in some capacity....and I'd like to have DC#4 somewhere down the line too.

Nancy6306

I've been a SAHM for two years now and am now pregnant with our third child. We've decided that I will go back after our youngest is in kindergarten or first grade.?

Jewels806

The plan is until our kids are in elementary school. We hope to have another in about 1.5--2 years. It would be wonderful to find something part time so I can be home with them after school, but of course we will see when the time comes.

thereluctantdomestic

I'm in college now for a bachelor's degree but am considering going to culinary school.  I'd like to go back to work when the kiddos get into full day school, but that's a long way off.  I'm definitely going back to work at some point.  Financially, I'm not pushed for time as far as when that is.  I guess whenever I get to a point in which I'm by myself too much of the day

jenn7200

I have no plans to return to work, even when we are done having more kids and they are in school. I think I'll be able to find plenty of things to keep me busy! I'd love to do some charity work and just have the time to do some things that interest me like taking a photography or cooking class.

CanonMom

Technically Im a SAHM but work on weekends as a Photographer. When my kids are both in regular Elementary school, I will broaded my business and do some shoots during the week to. but for now I am a SAHM for good

DNK777

A lot of it depends on when/if I get pregnant again and whatnot.  I'd like to go back when my youngest starts 1st grade, but who knows if that might change.  I am planning on going part-time to grad school.  I am starting in the fall with just one class and going from there.

Rocknmama

When we are done with having babies and the youngest is in elementary. I do work pt now but it would be nice to go back to full time and have real benefits again one day...and a 401k where I actually contribute a decent amount of $ to. Till then we will see, who knows what will happen.

berry25

Depends on how many kids we decide to have.  I don't want to go to work until my youngest is in kindergarten - hopefully finances will allow that plan to work out.

HarrietNJMommy

Until our last is in school.

I plan on getting some type of p/t job, but not in my field (civil engineering). Not sure what I will do. 

newportbride715

Until our kids are in school

kaydee_2008

im planning on being home untill im finished having children and the last one is in school full time! but plans change this is what im wanting though

amygauntt@windstream.net

Indefinitely

As long as we are financially able, I don't ever want to go back to work. Even when our children are in school, I want to be able to  go on field trips, go to the school parties, etc.

I was a hairstylist before & still have a few clients come to my home, so I may broaden that once DD (or youngest if we have anymore) is in school, but it would be at my home, and VERY part-time, maybe just a couple days a week, for a few hours each day.

J+O

Right now I do photography just a few days a month (like three) I do weddings and other stuff and bring in some good money. ?When DS is in school I think I'm just going to expand my business but still remain part time so I can be home when he gets home from school and see him off in the morning, etc.??

Emily_Ann

It really depends on a lot of factors.
I'm a photographer (wow, there are a lot of us here!), and currently do sessions 4-8 days a month and the occasional wedding. With DH traveling so much (4-5 days/week), I need to be a bit more available for my family. If we stay where we are, I'll probably pick up more clients when my kids are in school. However, if we decide to build a house on my grandparents' farm, we'll be homeschooling (schools there are horrible and private schools are a long commute), so I'll be working less and SAH forever.

2.red.heads

once my youngest is in pre-school i'll probably work close to full time (32 hours a week...).  i hope to have 2 more kids so that could be a while.

i was an architect before DS.  currently i work about 15 hours a week as a floral designer.  i wanted to have some sort of 'trade' that i could learn and do as back-up to architecture (plus, it's using some of my design skills from Arch. school).  i get very worried about getting back into architecture after years of a break (worried i will have forgotten so much, behind in the technology, etc).  DH is also an architect so i feel like i can keep up a little w/what's going on in the industry...

but i'll enjoy the time w/my kids when they're little while i can!  shoot, i could work full time another 25 years + if i wanted!

brightning

Until DD or any future child is in school full-time. If DH gets a promotion, I'd consider never going back to work.

citygirl_

I don't plan to return to work full-time ever again.. if at all.

ncsubride

I am home for good and once they go to school I will do some volunteering and some "me" time.

MosersGirl

I plan to stay at home until our last child (we want two or three) is in Kindergarten.  I love staying home, and DH loves that I stay home, and we are pretty comfortable, so unless something drastic happens with finances, I won't be going back for a while.  (knock on wood)  I do miss teaching sixth grade, but I wouldn't give up staying home with my baby for anything. 

alisonada

Who knows...if I can find a great PT job that I enjoy and will pay for daycare + some, I'll go back next week. If not, it could be years...although honestly, I'm hoping it won't be.

mrsblt

I would ideally like to SAH until we are done having kids, and the kids are in school full time.

Rachel Bennett

Well our one daughter starts Kindergarten in August and baby # 2 is due September 6th. I plan on being home so I can be a part of both my daughters daily activities and schedules. In January 2010 I am going back to school about 2 years left so I will be busy just like going to work but not getting paid. I am having a hard time giving up the 2nd income, but I know we will be fine. My husband and I are still young and I want to have my degree quickly. I took to much time to not go back and to just work, but I am really wanting this and I know once I take out one loan it has got to get finished... Plus I can have a flexible schedule and still be there for my kids. My job currently pays amazingly and the bonuses are awesome, but there are no sick days and I mean none, so if I miss one day I could get written up and fired and with two kids more than likely one will get sick so giving it up and being SAHM.