The SAH Survival Guide: Chapter 4 Discussion

mandymack

Hi everyone!

For those interested in joining us for our weekly, chapter discussion, get yourself a copy of The Stay at Home Survival Guide by Melissa Stanton, read up to Chapter 4 and join us this week, in this discussion, or read up through Chapter 5 and join us in next week's discussion!  EVERYONE is welcome, we'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, and relateable personal experiences.

Please use the "quote" function when replying so everyone can see who and what you are replying to for less confusion and easier discussion. 

 

Chapter 4 Discussion Questions

What "jobs" do you do as a SAHM and what "jobs" does your husband/partner help with?

If you had to put hours to your jobs, what would the breakdown look like?

Least favorite job(s)?

Do you have "survival gear" that you never leave home without?

What defines a Stay-at-home Mom to you?

mandymack

What "jobs" do you do as a SAHM and what "jobs" does your husband/partner help with?

I am Emily's care-provider, the family Chef, the family Chief Financial Officer (as I handle 100% of all our finances), a part-time Housekeeper, and a part-time Gardner.  I also do 100% of my family's shopping, vacation planning, appointment-making and errand-running.

My DH is a full-time employee, a part-time Housekeeper, a part-time Gardner, the Launderer, the Handyman and the IT specialist for our family.

 

If you had to put hours to your jobs, what would the breakdown look like?

**I work 7 days a week as a SAHM, from 8AM-8PM, approximately 85 hours per week**

Care provider 56hrs/week

Housekeeper 5hrs/week

Gardner 2hrs/week

CFO/Accountant 3hrs/week

Chef 14hrs/week

Shopping/Errands/Organization/Appointments 5hrs/week

 

Least favorite job(s)?

Cleaning the cat's litter box and picking up Emily's toys day after day!

 

Do you have "survival gear" that you never leave home without?

Absolutely: an extra pair of clothes and a package of wipes for Emily, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a lollipop when a bribe is necesary and drawing/coloring supplies to keep Emily entertained

 

What defines a Stay-at-home Mom to you?

Someone who is no longer employed and earning a paycheck outside of her home as her main "job" is raising her child/children.  I don't believe a side job done when the kids are asleep makes someone a working mother and I don't believe a SAHM who has hired help is LESS than SAHMs who do it all themselves.

KL777

I haven't read the book but I like to chime in when appropriate :-)

Jobs that I do:
-Care for DS (DH cares for him after he gets off work for an hour or two and more on weekends)
-Plan, prepare, and cook meals the majority of the time
-Maintain household things such as laundry, dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, bedmaking, etc. the majority of the time
-Pay bills
-Run errands (bank, drycleaners, dr.'s appointments, etc.)
-We grocery shop together

Jobs that DH does:
-Work outside the house as a Full-time employee
-Cuts the grass
-Takes the garbage to the curb
-Fixes things around the house
-Fixes mechanical things with our cars
-Helps with the dishes
-Ocassionally cooks dinner (very rarely but when he does, it is delicious!)
-Cares for DS after work for an hour or two and more on weekends
-We grocery shop together

Hours for my "job":
7 am-8pm M-F

7 am-12 noon, 4:30-8 pm Sat

11 am-5 pm Sun

Least favorite job:
Don't really have one.  I do hate that 3:30-6pm time period during the day because by then I am exhausted and waiting for DH to get home to give me a break.

Survival gear:
-Snacks for DS, diapers, wipes, cell phone

Define SAHM:
A mom who has chosen to not work full-time outside of the house to devote more time to her family

Princess_Ariel

My "jobs"

• Childcare, education, & entertainment [at least 18hrs/day]
• Housekeeping/laundry/dishes (most) [5hrs/wk avg]
• Pay bills, or at least determine who will pay which bills [1hr/wk]
• Corresponder [varies, but it's bad when multiple events fall close together]
• Holiday decorator [as needed]
• Chef (if you can call what I do cooking) [1hr/day]
• Pet care [5min/day]

His "jobs"

• P-T childcare [about 5hrs or so per day]
• Bathroom cleaning/putting away own laundry/rinsing dishes [2hrs/wk]
• Chef [up to 1hr/day]
• Trash (although I usually end up collecting the trash in the house for him to put out) [5-20min/wk]

We grocery shop together, and he's pretty good about helping me with specific household tasks if I ask.  We have a guy do our lawn and clean our pool, so at least we don't have to worry about that.

Least fav. job is kitty litter, esp. since Cheshire likes to leave his mess outside the box

I keep extra diapers and wipes in the car, along with my Maya Wrap.  Whether or not I have a stroller, I usually have my wrap with me so I can keep DD close.

To me a SAHM is a mother who remains with her children during most to all of their waking hours on a regular basis (exceptions for appointments, date nights, etc.) If she has a nanny or someone to help, great, but the mom should be the primary caretaker while the nanny merely lends a helping hand or watches the child(ren) while mom is working p-t or at an appointment, etc.

Read2Me

Chapter 4 Discussion QuestionsWhat "jobs" do you do as a SAHM and what "jobs" does your husband/partner help with?I am very lucky to have a DH who helps out a ton around the house. ?He cooks dinner most nights and does the dishes. ?He cleans the toilets and mops the floors. ?He does his own laundry and all the yard work. ?I do everything else and take care of Eva. ??If you had to put hours to your jobs, what would the breakdown look like?10 hours/day spent with Eva- playing, crafts. walks, outings, meals, reading, etc.2-3 hours/day- household chores1-2 hours/day- errands and/or outings (grocery shopping, banking, zoo, mall, etc)One day a week I work at my sister's day care center for 5 hours and Eva comes with me.?Least favorite job(s)? ?I hate dishes and cleaning toilets so DH does those. ?Of the jobs I do I would have to say cleaning the tub is my least favorite.Do you have "survival gear" that you never leave home without?Just diapers and wipes and a sippy cup.?What defines a Stay-at-home Mom to you? ?anyone (mom or dad) who spends the majority of their day taking care of their children