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OceanBreeze1

Robeano

I'm on maternity leave for a year. Then when I go back to work it'll be part time. I so badly want to stay at home but we really can't afford it.

OceanBreeze1

Ducky719:

I'm a WM, with lots of flexibility.nbsp; I am off every other Friday and I work from home on Monday's.nbsp; It can be hard balancing Sophie with work on Monday's, but I just can't stand the thought of being away from her one more day every week.nbsp; I'd rather login a 12 hour day.
MH is a nurse and only works 3 days a week, so most of the time he is a "SAHD".nbsp; Sophie is in DC only twice a week tops.

That's awesome you have that flexibility!

OceanBreeze1

Bump burp.

OceanBreeze1

Robeano:

I'm on maternity leave for a year. Then when I go back to work it'll be part time. I so badly want to stay at home but we really can't afford it.

Nice that you get a year at home though!

Ruthie04

I'm a SAHM, but with an odd arrangement. My old agency keeps me on the books so they can use me for contract work. I've turned down anything they've sent my way (they wanted me to do some on-call abuse/neglect crisis intervention work...no thanks!), so I don't know how long they'll keep me around! 

I am in a low paying profession and the cost of daycare for two infants would be more than my take home salary. So, the choice was made for us. I wasn't sure if I'd like being a SAHM, but I really do. Not only is it so fun, it is so much less stressful than my job as a social worker. I'm still on-call at all hours, but the babies don't scream profanities at me and I don't have to write assessments in addition to dealing with behavioral crises! We are so fortunate for DH's job and I try not to take this opportunity for granted.   

I think working moms are extraordinary and so under appreciated. I tend to see a lot of articles and FB statuses about the challenges of being a SAHM, but I really think WMs need more recognition for all they do. Somehow they manage to balance a professional life with being great mothers. That's truly amazing. 

OceanBreeze1

LeahB12:

I SAH. I went back to work after DS1. We moved when he was 9 months for DH's job and I started staying home. Both working and staying home have challenges. I definitely don't like to compare them because parenting is hard no matter what you do!

So very true!!!

OceanBreeze1

Ruthie04:

I'm a SAHM, but with an odd arrangement. My old agency keeps me on the books so they can use me for contract work. I've turned down anything they've sent my way they wanted me to do some oncall abuse/neglect crisis intervention work...no thanks!, so I don't know how long they'll keep me around!nbsp;I am in a low paying profession and the cost of daycare for two infants would be more than my take home salary. So, the choice was made for us. I wasn't sure if I'd like being a SAHM, but I really do. Not only is it so fun, it is so much less stressful than my job as a social worker. I'm still oncall at all hours, but the babies don't scream profanities at me and I don't have to write assessments in addition to dealing with behavioral crises! We are so fortunate for DH's job and I try not to take this opportunity for granted. nbsp;nbsp;I think working moms are extraordinary and so under appreciated. I tend to see a lot of articles and FB statuses about the challenges of being a SAHM, but I really think WMs need more recognition for all they do. Somehow they manage to balance a professional life with being great mothers. That's truly amazing.nbsp;

Wow, yes, I imagine SAH is a lot less stressful than your work, oy! A very under appreciated field.

And I agree, the WM balance is something that definitely needs to be applauded. Many times, I imagine.

Dragonfly1226

SAHM

ccam

I'm a WM.  It bothers DH that I can't stay home but I'm the breadwinner and carry the benefits.  I was able to be on leave for 6 months and know that staying home is not easy, but I would love to be home with DS.  Luckily, I was able to change my hours and work 7 to 3:30, so I miss the traffic and have more time with DS in the afternoon.

jesselayne8

I am SAHM thinking about returning to work in January part time. I was about to go back to work when I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd so I decided to wait. Ideally I would work one weekend a month. I was an oncology Nurse and I miss working but I don't wanna miss out on time with my babies.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick

I am a WM who also has a lot of flexibility. I get off early on Fridays, and I work from home one day a week. I however do not keep DS with me on days I work from home.

OceanBreeze1

Dragonfly1226:

SAHM

Fun! Even though I know you have your hands full, lol.

OceanBreeze1

Ducky719:

Boy do I know it! I am staying in my current position because it is flexible, easy work with good pay. Career advancement got put on hold as soon as it became hard to conceive on our own. Now, it's on hold because of my daughter. I would do anything for her...and if that means staying in a role that isn't challenging for me, so be it! I'd rather have the flexibility.

I hear ya. A few months ago I turned down an awesome job that would have been awesome for my career because it was just too much time away, plus a long commute.

OceanBreeze1

Ccam: sorry, I can't quote you, lol.

But we were lucky as I had the lower paying job with sucky benefits...a reporter. First time I was ever thankful for that.

OceanBreeze1

jesselayne8:

I am SAHM thinking about returning to work in January part time. I was about to go back to work when I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd so I decided to wait. Ideally I would work one weekend a month. I was an oncology Nurse and I miss working but I don't wanna miss out on time with my babies.

That's awesome that you can have that kind of schedule potentially!

OceanBreeze1

Mr. Mrs. Woodtick:

I am a WM who also has a lot of flexibility. I get off early on Fridays, and I work from home one day a week. I however do not keep DS with me on days I work from home.

Lol, yeah, it's hard to get any work done with a lo at hone!

BabyKsMommy

I work part time in the evenings. I work as a server so I have a very flexible schedule. Dh is home from work in the evenings so he watches ds. It works very well for us. I do wish I had weekends off though. I used to work full time but after ds I can't bear to be away from him that much.

TJ1979

WM. I'm off every other Friday, but work longer hours during the week for tht. Luckily MH gets the same day off so we use that as our special date days and give E a half day at school.

mnj05

Kind of both right now. I'm a teacher and am off for the summer. My maternity leave ended at the very end and I only went back for two weeks. I love staying home with H and would love to keep that up but if we want to keep knocking bills out and get a new truck for me, I need a job in the fall. I resigned from my position at the end of the year so I'm on the hunt and only time will tell. If I don't find anything, we can handle me staying home so I'm not super stressed over it.

mdiblasi10

Working Mom. I do have half day Fridays so that is nice, and my company is very flexible. We like to travel and go out and do nice things as a family, we just bought a house and we're building a pool (we LOVE the water!), so for us to live in Southern California with that lifestyle, we both have to work full-time. I was off with G for 5 months and loved it. I miss him every day, but I am happy to work to provide for him. He also loves going to "school" and gets so much out of that time spent with his teachers and the other kids.

Saraevh

SAHM.  And I can honestly say I really, really enjoy it.   

I was a teacher and took a one year child rearing leave after my daughter was born instead of totally resigning just in case I didn't like the whole SAHM gig and wanted to return.  After being home with her that full year I couldn't even imagine going back to work.  We are sooooo soo soooo lucky that my husband has an awesome job and that we can live very comfortably on one income.  I really see being able to stay home as a blessing, though I understand it isn't for everyone and that people have to do what is best for them and their families.  

I figure even if I go back to work once my kids are in middle school I will have at least 25 years left before I could retire at 65 ... that's PLENTY of time for me  For now, I'll enjoy the time off with my babies.       

candyreesecup

I am a WM and went back to work after 6 weeks of H's birth, so it's been hard!!  I work in IT, so I can work from home sometimes, so it's nice.  I currently work from home Friday and I have H with me.  I love it but it's hectic!  Other day, she goes to a day care and I miss her a lot   There isn't much time to spend with her from the time I pick her up and she goes to bed....so sad.

I respect both SAHM and WM!  SAHM is full time work and it kinda scares me to stay home with H every day, but I haven't done it except for the first 6 weeks.  All she did was cry for the first month or so, but now she smiles a lot and is more interactive, so I wish I could spend more time with her. 

WM is so busy!  My hair is usually tied up and my makeup time is so short.  I only wash my hair once in 3 days!!!  I make marinate dishes for 3 days on Sunday, so I can just hop the dish into an oven for dinner.  We eat pizza on Thu and take out on Friday night.  I used to go to bed at midnight and watched all kinds of TV shows, but I can hardly keep my eyes open pass 10pm! 

My DH supports if I want to be SAHM, but we both think 2 incomes really help.  Plus, I don't think I can ever go back to the current career level if I left the industry now. I really would like to go part time to balance family and work, but I am not sure yet   I will for sure when we have a second kid!      

firewife9278

Working mom, set schedule, I hate it. I leave the house at 6am, we're home by 5pm and then it's go go go making dinner, washing daycare dishes, packing lunches, and trying to fit at least a little bit of outside time in for DD, all before she goes to bed at 7:30pm. And if it's bath night, or DH has to cut the grass...it makes me crazy.

Mrs.AmyDylan

I would classify myself as both. I teach a couple of fitness classes each week at the local gym. I don't ever see myself giving that up as I get free dues and reduced price services (it is a fancy gym!). 

I run my business, which I consolidate to two afternoons a week April, May and September. In June, July, and August it is full speed ahead craziness.

That leaves October, November, December, January, February and March for me to be a total SAHM (with the exception of the fitness classes, but they are times when DH is home to watch J).  I'm very fortunate to have such an amazing schedule, a supportive DH with good benefits and family that watches J. 

jmorta04

I am a teacher and L was born in early May, so I got to use my 8 weeks to get me through until the summer.  I am off for the rest of the summer and will then go back in September.  In an ideal world, I would stay home, but I make more money than H and we could never survive on just his income.  So, back to work I go and my mom will watch L starting in September.

PennyLane26

New SAHM here! I left my job as a teacher and, while I miss it, I wouldn't pass this up for anything. I'm lucky that we can afford for me to stay home. I do work VERY part time (10 hours/week) editing for an online community. Once the fall comes I'll probably pick up some more hours... we'll see!

imoverit

Im both. WM part time and have summers off. I work in education. My mom watches DS. I wish I could be a SAHM, but Im very blessed for what I have now.

fabulouspinkmady

I'm a WM. I would love to SAH but we couldn't afford it. DH and I make about the same amount of money, and if I quit DH would have to put us all on his insurance and there goes his paycheck! However DH is a teacher and has talked about going back for his Masters. I told him he could only do it if he went into administration and started making the big bucks so I could SAH LOL, so we'll see.

oooCarrieB

I'm a WM, but I'm really lucky because DH and I were able to coordinate our jobs, so he can stay home during the day with LO and work in the evenings. I love having LO stay home, even though it does limit my time with DH. 

My job is really family friendly, so if I need to flex my hours or work from home, I can do it. I leave every morning at 6:45am and I'm home by 5pm. I am the primary breadwinner and carry the benefits, so staying home was never an option.  

IBackBevo

I'm both, I guess. I work 3 days a week but I work about 10-12 hours on those three days.  Sometimes I have to work 4 days a week.  Then I have LO all by myself for 3 days a week 12+ hours a day.  Sunday is the only day both DH and I have off.

DrRx

I was a WM (based at 30 hours a week) and DH and I worked opposite days with 1 "family day" off together a week.  We did that for a year and it was a really hard schedule.  Our "family days" turned into "get stuff done" days, where DH and I would go on our own to take care of MD appts, haircuts, etc. I also felt like a single mom since I was either at work or alone with the baby all day.  These visions of family days at the park or going to the zoo were just not happening.

I just went down to part-time this past week and LOVE IT!  I will be staying part-time until Adalyn starts pre-school when she turns 3 or 4.  I plan on working about one day a week.  My job is really flexible since the minimum is 1 shift in a 120 day period, but I need to work more than that for our budget!