going from a WM to a SAHM...thoughts...

Kougl Wife to Be!

Hey everyone, I need some advice help. We are looking at buying another ranch and I have the option to potentially stay at home with my children (or drive 20-40 miles to work).

I truthfully have always been fairly career oriented but half of my monthly income goes to daycare for my 2 yr old and 6 mo old. So between that, and gas money is it really worth it for a couple years... So...maybe do some work from home?

 Or do I try and find something part time, this is a rural reservation area so i'm not sure what is all available. Ideas, Opinions, suggestions ladies! D

MamaAllison

HilarityEnsued:

To me, daycare and the cost/ portion of my take home pay going there is a shortterm expense in the grand scheme of my career. My career would suffer irreparable harm if I were to just leave for 5 years. I like working too much to give it up. Eventually the kids will be in school 99 sure it will be public school so "free" and I will want to be in a place in my job/career that will require the next 5 years of work. So while daycare does take a large portion of my salary now, it won't always be ha way. In short, yes, I think working is really worth it. nbsp;

Agree! Andplusalso my daughter gets to see a great role model in that I work hard and am successful in my career. Plus, staying at home has never really been a goal of mine. I did it for the first 11 months and that was great, but I'm a happier mom at work!

honkytonk_kid

What do you do?

I'm in the opposite position of pp- I'm an RN, so gaps of even several years are not necessarily problematic.

Are you ok with not being able to find work after staying home for X number of years? Not only financially, but also on a personal satisfaction level?

It's highly unlikely you will be able to find something to do at home that will bring in any significant income, especially without childcare. You might find something part time in your field in your new location, or you could try something completely different (ie retail, waiting tables, etc) to bring in some cash.

Good luck deciding.

2chatter

Driving 20-30 miles, especially without traffic, would not be a big deal to me. I could absolutely take a few  years off and not have it be a giant deal, but unless me working was adding zero income, I would not be motivated to do it.  I like the quality of life working provides, in addition to the intellectual stimulation.

 If money is no object, my take would be to get a "job" that is unpaid.  On a committee locally, volunteering at a school, etc. and put your kids in an afforable MDO during that time.  Taste of "work" without a salary or formal boss.  I did that for a year or so and really enjoyed it.  But straight SAH?  No thanks.

NavyMom77

Definitely look at the big picture and what works right for you and your goals, not just the immediate time. If the drive is too much, I agree with the PP suggestion of volunteering or even finding a part-time job in your field close by. I'm thinking I'll drop back to part-time or concentrate on finishing my Masters when LO is born, but it's important to me mentally and just to keep myself current to somehow progress in my field during that time, even though if I'm working only part-time over half of the income will go to DC. I had to start from scratch during the recession after being home for 3 years and that was rough. Not every field is like that, though. Just think big picture and look for options to help you get there.

SummerOH

HilarityEnsued:

To me, daycare and the cost/ portion of my take home pay going there is a short-term expense in the grand scheme of my career. My career would suffer irreparable harm if I were to just leave for 5 years. I like working too much to give it up. Eventually the kids will be in school (99% sure it will be public school so "free") and I will want to be in a place in my job/career that will require the next 5 years of work. So while daycare does take a large portion of my salary now, it won't always be ha way.

In short, yes, I think working is really worth it.  

All of this.  I drive 30 miles each way in heavy traffic, so it takes about an hour.  I drive an SUV and the gas money is negligible in the grand scheme of things.  There's no way my career could take the hit of being out of the field for several years.  I've worked too hard to get where I am, so quitting isn't even on my radar.  However, if you're in a field where it won't matter and you really want to stay at home, go for it!  If you can work from home or part-time to keep your resume current, even better.

KL777

I think it has to be something that you WANT to do. I SAH for 3 years and weighing the expense of child care  was never a part of my equation as to whether or not I was going to stay at home or keep working.

I think you have to look at a lot of factors.... Can you volunteer in your field to keep your "foot" in your field? What support system do you have to SAH (ex mom groups)? How long is a feasible time to stay out and still be able to get back in when you want to?

skibunny59

I would totally be a SAHM in a hearbeat if I could.  I work because I have to, not because I love it.  But everybody is different and you have to decide what makes you happy.  I know plenty of women that don't bring much money home after paying for daycare and gas but they still enjoy working.