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Any SAHM's that went back to work? Working moms please read too!
Last week I got a phone call from my old boss from a couple of years ago. We keep in touch but this time he made me a job offer on the spot. It's great money and pretty great job and things were really tough this month out of nowhere. Some of you know that I don't have health insurance, I tried to get it privately but they won't touch me becuase of the birth I had and it's insanely expensive ($1000+/mth) through DH work. They said I could do part time which I though would be great but it has ZERO benefits so my only option is full time. I told them I need time to really think about this. It sucks because it's at 35th and Jefferson and I'm in Leander and once the new building is built it will be right by Central Market. The thought of going back to work is making me sick but also exciting me at the same time. Now that I know what it's like to SAH with him I don't want it to change but I need to start bringing home something. Please tell me your experience. I don't want to do this out of greed, I want to do what is absolutely best for our family.
One other concern, I told them that DS is in physical therapy for a gross motor delay so that is one of my top priorities. But I'm worried that day care won't do the exercises as needed and DS will end up staying in PT longer than needed.
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Re: Any SAHM's that went back to work? Working moms please read too!
It's hard to give you advice because it's such a personal decision. I feel strongly about working, both for my own benefit AND for Ali's benefit. Not only does our family have the money we need to make her life safe and secure, but the benefits she receives from being in day care are unmistakable.
I can say this: you NEED health insurance. Going without is a huge gamble, both in terms of your own health and your family's overall financial picture. (Keep in mind that this is coming from someone who knows first hand what a financial crisis as a result of medical bills can do.)
Perhaps it would help you to make a list of pros and cons? Are there any flexible hours options (working longer hours some days so that you have short Fridays, for example)? What about family benefits like child care reimbursement? What will their policy be for you needing to take off for your son's doctor's appointments or if he gets sick? Have you looked into care options and factored in how the cost of those will impact your take home pay?
(I also want to add that ALL mothers feel like no one will do as good a job taking care of their child as they do. And this is likely true. But I've had nothing but wonderful experiences with day care teachers--if you find a reputable center or DCP that you are comfortable with, the teachers will absolutely do your son's exercises with him.)
Good luck!
I will say that I love being a working mom. I love how it benefits me, I love how it benefits my family, I love the benefits of daycare. I am a better mom because I work. Of course, that's not the case for everyone and you have to figure out what's best for you and your family.
Even with all of the positives, it was still hard to go back to work at first, but we quickly settled into a nice routine.
If you do decide to go back and end up not liking it after a few months, you can always quit and go back to staying at home. GL with your decision!
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I would find out the minimum needed for benefits. For a lot of companies, FT is 32 hours. So you could work 4 days a week, or shorter days, and still get benefits.
If you enjoy being home, I would try to make PT work. I don't know what issues you have that you couldn't get private insurance, but maybe work with an insurance broker and see if they can help you? We pay $600/month for the 4 of us privately. It's not great coverage, but it does covers what we need.
PT seems like a great solution for someone that wants to work, but also wants time at home. Depending on day care costs, you may find you are saving enough to help cover the increased cost of you insurance.
I have no desire to go back to work and am actually trying to find some sort of part time work that will allow me to work in the evenings and stay home with Kate another year. It doesn't look like that's going to happen though, so I am preparing myself to go back to work teaching in August right after Kate turns 2. I'm actually filling out the application to hold a spot at a preschool for her tonight.
I am excited about the preschool we are sending her too. I know that she is going to love it and I think that school will be really good for her. I just wish we could wait until she was 3, but it wouldn't be financially responsible for me to keep staying home. If we didn't all have health insurance, I would have gone back to work right away. Not having insurance scares me.
Have you thought about a nanny instead of a daycare center? A nanny might be able to work more one on one with your son as far as his PT goes. I don't know how often his appointments are, but I would think that a nanny could also take him to his appointments instead of you having to take off work once a week or something.
IMHO the best thing for your family is to get health insurance for all of you, ASAP.
I love being a working mom. Yes, it's hard sometimes. But I absolutely love the day care my kids attend. You can find a GREAT one! Get referrals and have a lot of patience.
I too am a working mom and echo many sentiments shared here. I enjoy working. I enjoy the freedom it gives me. Yes, there are days I don't want to work and want to snuggle and play with the girls all day. But they get a lot out of daycare and we have a good balance. And honestly - the things they do at daycare are things I would never even think to do at home so they learn a lot too and it's a good balance.
I would check about the 32 hour option. Also see if they have flexibility with the hours you work. You might be able to make the best of both worlds.
I just went back to work after being home with DS for almost 20 months. I had to go to work for my sanity as well as for financial reasons.
I will admit that there are some hard days. My mommy guilt kicks in and I feel like I am not doing my job as a mother, but then I come home to him and hear and see all the new things he has learned and I am amazed! It has been 3 weeks and he has already started saying 5 new words and learned 3 new signs.
I do feel like I have a lot more energy in the evening to play with him now. When I was a SAHM by the time my DH got home I was so tired I didnt have it in me to play with DS anymore!
You really should get health insurance. It is so important. And like PP said... if you find a good daycare provider they will do your sons PT with him or you can make it a point to do it in the morning and the evening.