For those of you who will not be SAHMs

cantalopes24 · November 2010

Tell me why you love your job/ why you want to work (other than needing a dual income obviously)

I have an interview for a job/internship tomorrow. I have known the whole time I was in school this was coming, and up until now I have been so excited! I am now terrified and also bummed out about going back to work, but I can't graduate without doing this. Plus the extra money would be nice, and if I want I can do it part time, but it's still freaking me out. Tell me why you love working so I can be excited again!

reinstone · November 2010

Adult interaction, feeling productive for a greater cause, development, and the pay. (Keep in mind I have not been a SAHW/M so I have no frame of reference.)

psubride1012 · November 2010

Well, it took me a while to find where I am really happy in my job, but I finally found it where I work now. I am good at what I do and management recognizes my work and the value that I bring. I feel like I am helping people and love my coworkers. We are like a family. I get a great sense of accomplishment in what I do and in the relationships that I build! And I am paid VERY well, so it is great!

doersam2010 · November 2010

I love working because I have spent a boat load of money earning a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (which I will officially have in 2 weeks). I have invested way too much time and money (not to mention sweat, blood, and tears) in higher education to not work. Also, I get bored way to easily when I'm not at work. And when I am bored, I shop. DH would have to get a second job just to support that Smile

natkay02 · November 2010

Good luck on your interview!!

Okay, so besides the dual-income, I want to work because it gives me a sense of purpose. I know that whatever is mine/his is "ours", but it makes me feel good to contribute to the "ours." I won't ever feel guilty if I spend money on myself, because I worked hard for it. Also, doing housework/laundry/cooking isn't exactly my cup of tea and I'd rather split it 50/50 with both of us working then me take it all on if I stayed at home.

Being a SAHM just isn't an option for us financially, so it is difficult for me to speak objectively, I guess.

natkay02 · November 2010

doersam2010:
I love working because I have spent a boat load of money earning a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (which I will officially have in 2 weeks). I have invested way too much time and money (not to mention sweat, blood, and tears) in higher education to not work. Also, I get bored way to easily when I'm not at work. And when I am bored, I shop. DH would have to get a second job just to support that

CONGRATS!!

doersam2010 · November 2010

natkay02:

doersam2010:
I love working because I have spent a boat load of money earning a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (which I will officially have in 2 weeks). I have invested way too much time and money (not to mention sweat, blood, and tears) in higher education to not work. Also, I get bored way to easily when I'm not at work. And when I am bored, I shop. DH would have to get a second job just to support that

CONGRATS!!

Thank you! I feel like it has taken forever to finish but it's finally here Smile . It is a wonderful feeling!

AggieKim · November 2010

Like a pp said, I get bored being at home. I get antsy, feel useless, and lazy. I almost feel sick because I have nothing to motivate me to do a single thing.

I love my job because of the people there. I only have to work 3 nights a week to be full time, so it leaves me with plenty of home time as well. And I do not like the feeling that I may be dependent on someone, even if I do depend on them. Working makes me feel like I am singularly successful and that I accomplishing things (not to say stay at home wives/mom's aren't, but I don't personally feel successful without working.)

MySweetBaboo · November 2010

I just want to wish you luck!!!

Honestly Lopes, the grass is always greener. I think you will be just fine!

I always thought I would WANT to work, to get away, but I want nothing more than to be home. I feel like I miss out on everything. I have a long commute though, so that makes me miserable. DD is up weekday mornings long enough for me to dress and kiss her goodbye and when I get home I have just enough time to give her a bath and put her to bed. If I could get a high paying job closer to home, the balance would work out.

ccam · November 2010

I like to know that I'm contributing to our family and the things we have. I've obviously never been a SAHM, but I'd imagine it's also nice to be able to get out of the house and have adult conversations and interaction.

Good luck on your interview!!

Phoebe623 · November 2010

I will work until my student loans are paid off...

I like to work for human interaction, mind stimulation, conversations with people from other backgrounds (I am assuming that staying at home would mean I would mostly speak to my family.), and my own retirement accounts for later in life.

psubride1012 · November 2010

doersam2010:
I love working because I have spent a boat load of money earning a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (which I will officially have in 2 weeks). I have invested way too much time and money (not to mention sweat, blood, and tears) in higher education to not work. Also, I get bored way to easily when I'm not at work. And when I am bored, I shop. DH would have to get a second job just to support that

I graduate with my masters in two weeks as well! Yay for you, me and lopes!! We need to have a chat party celebration!

GPhiBGirl · November 2010

reinstone:
Adult interaction, feeling productive for a greater cause, development, and the pay. (Keep in mind I have not been a SAHW/M so I have no frame of reference.)

Yes This exactly...

StephK · November 2010

I already told you my thoughts, but I'll post here, too. I enjoy working, but I'm not going to lie and say that I love it. I like my job, it is a good fit for me, it is a challenge and it is frustrating at times. But, I have worked very hard, for a very long time to get the education (PhD) that put me in this job. Since I've been here, I've worked hard for promotions. I'm finally at a place where I feel pretty stable, so I can't imagine letting it go to be a SAHM. Also, we're lucky enough that we could live on just my salary if we absolutely had to.

I know there are drawbacks. One of my best friends became a SAHM. I see how much fun she has with her kids while they're home, she always keeps them busy. I know I will miss out on play dates and some time with my child, but I am lucky enough to have a flexible work schedule so I plan on working my schedule around spending time with them.

Besides, like I said before, I know I'd jump out of a window if I had to watch Handy Manny all day! Embarrassed

It is OK to be excited! I remember when I first started working, after being unemployed for a few months, everything about working was exciting - "I'm commuting! I'm out and about! I'm working. Yay!" and everything like that. I hope you have the same feeling when you go back to work.

Ms.Jade · November 2010

I'm an environmentalist and manage programs for an env. non profit. I have been working on env causes since I was 12 including being in the eco club when I was in H.S. I have a degree in Environmental Sustainability. My job is just as much who I am as what I do. I feel compelled to do the work that I do and can't imagine not working. It would be like losing part of my life.

I plan to return to work after I have a baby but I'm lucky in that I work from home two days a week so I only have to leave him or her with a nanny 3 days a week. I like that idea.

LauraElizabeth85 · November 2010

Currently I am a Special Events Coordinator. I actually just accepted a new job (which starts on Thursday). I will be a Communications Coordinator, doing branding/PR/marketing for a helicopter company.

asyph107 · November 2010

You feel more useful and have more purpose. I tried to be a SAHM for a few weeks but I felt nuts. I love to go to work and come home, its nice to miss your husband and child.

doersam2010 · November 2010

psubride1012:
doersam2010:
I love working because I have spent a boat load of money earning a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (which I will officially have in 2 weeks). I have invested way too much time and money (not to mention sweat, blood, and tears) in higher education to not work. Also, I get bored way to easily when I'm not at work. And when I am bored, I shop. DH would have to get a second job just to support that
I graduate with my masters in two weeks as well! Yay for you, me and lopes!! We need to have a chat party celebration!

Yay! A chat party is definitely in order!

tosh24 · November 2010

I was a semi-SAHM after DD was born and I decided to return to school to do a post-grad program. I love DD like nothing else in the world, but I was happy to get back to work.

I am the kind of person who is very unmotivated if I don't have a million things to do. I was bored, lazy, and didn't even get dressed most days. I like working because I feel that I am more productive in every aspect of my life. When I was at home, nothing ever had a deadline - there was always tomorrow. I also love what I do and I know that my job is very important. The things I do at work have a long-lasting effect and have the ability to change things for the better (I work in the environmental industry). I love the adult interaction and the requirement to use my brain in a very analytical fashion.

I'm not going to lie, it hurts like H3ll when DD "wants to stay home with mamma today", but I know that she is getting a lot of things she wouldn't get if we were at home together. Like socializing with kids her own age, learning how to interact with other adults, following rules other than the ones in our home, etc. And we still have plenty of time in the evenings (playing, making dinner, and I lay with her while she falls asleep every night) and on weekends to spend time together and as a family. That girl knows that she is loved and important.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be just fine

buttercup1221 · November 2010

I love my job for the human interaction (other than my husband), the lovely ladies I work with, a feeling of purpose and advancement in my own career, the money

, and because I love to work - it is probably one of my "hobbies" haha. Also because I would go stir crazy at home without a job and because I worked my butt off for my degree, so I wouldn't want it to go to waste.

LadyBugLove7 · November 2010

My job is mostly awesome...all with the exception of the pesky paperwork that is associated with engineering projects. I will be pulling the sole income when we have a baby, as I make more than DH does. DH says that there is no way he can make more than I do (his masters is in finance, mine in EE) unless he starts working as a relationship manager at the bank and he said he will never do that and would much rather stay home with the kiddos. Besides, It'll allow him to become a chess coach at local schools again if he wants to. I think he's really looking forward to that.

maybebride · November 2010

First, I fully believe that either choice is completely valid and worthwhile. I do not believe that, given the right circumstances, a family "suffers" under either scenario.

I would love to be a SAHM, but that is not a viable option for us at this point.

But, I do actually happen to like my job. There was a time when I loved my job and some days that is still true, but most days it is just like. I do enjoy the interaction with people--and some of my closest friends are at work. I also do enjoy my profession and I have put a lot of time in where I currently am. And, right now, a big pull for me to stay is my tenure here and the fact that I was recently promoted.

To me, if working helps keep you fulfilled as a person, you are going to be a better wife and mommy no matter how much time it "takes you away" from your family.

Jules08 · November 2010

I love my job and I would hate for my hard work in college to be put aside. I would also hate paying for the student loans each month while not using my degree!

I would also need the adult interaction and the opportunity to get out of the house - I would drive myself nuts being home all the time.

I have never been a SAHM and I don't have any children yet, so maybe my feelings would change?

psychgirl33 · November 2010

First of all, congrats to those of you who are finishing your Master's degrees this winter! I am in my final year of my graduate program working on my Specialist degree in School Psychology. I finished my Master's last year. I'm working this year doing a full-time, full-year internship (which is paid and is actually just my first year as an employee Smile ) It will feel SOOO good to be done with school this May!

I also make more than my fiance (not by a lot), but my career gives me the freedom to work exactly as much or little as I want. I will see when the time comes, but I'm guessing I'll only want to work 3 days a week once I have a little one at home. I really like what I do. I love the kids that I work with. When I looked at going back to school, I knew I wanted to be on the school calendar and this career struck me as something I would love that fits that bill. I feel like my career gives me a sense of purpose. But I also know that when I actually have a baby that I have to leave at a sitter's, I am going to want to just stay home. So I think that I am lucky having that middle-ground option.

TheMrsRN · November 2010

As a nurse, I only work 3 days/week. They are 12 hour shifts though. I like what I do, I like my job, I like most of the people, and the pay is great. I will work full time after our first is born (whenever that may be) and once we have more than one, I will only work part time. I would be way too bored not to work at least part time and I didn't work my tail off in school just to quit after a few years of work.

leiainoz · November 2010

Like others said, I feel like I've invested so much time and money into my education, I want to be able to use it. I'm in grad school now working on my MAT. I honestly love school, and enjoy the mental stimulation it gives me.

My mom was a SAHM while we were young, and then returned to teaching. She loved that it gave her the work she environment loved, but was also very mom-friendly...I certainly never felt like I missed out on time with my mom, especially once I got to high school and she was working at my school! I'll be teaching as well, and besides being a career choice I'm very excited and passionate about, I also love that it will give me a similar overall schedule to my kids someday.

....I also love to shop, so I need to make money to support my designer fetish.

carrie3303 · November 2010

I LOVE my work. I worked very hard to get where I am, and there's even more I can accomplish and want to accomplish in law enforcement. I am planning on taking the detective exam soon, and that would be a huge promotion for me.

After DD was born, I planned on going back to work. (different job at the time) But, I couldn't do it. I just could not leave her. So I was a SAHM for about 5 months, and then went back to school. I went back to work when she was about a year old.

I am terrified that I am not going to want to go back to work after having another baby. I know how much I love my job, and I know how hard it is leaving a newborn baby. I'm scared that I'm going to commit career suicide and then regret it later in life...

shediva1 · November 2010

Working gives me a little getaway from home life. I like the relationships I have made with some of my co-workers who will bend over backwards to help me in anything I ask, and of course I will do the same for them as well. I like that I am getting paid to do sometimes no-brainer tasks. If I was at home I think I would be shopping all the time or thinking of shopping. (Not sure if that makes sense)

When I do call in sick, for anymore than 2 days, I get so bored at home and actually want to go back to work. : /

Being at work, I can control more of my diet, if I were at home I'd easily make a full course meal, or run to the grocery store/fast food anytime I want.

Good luck with your interview, I'm sure once you start working you will like it. (eventually)

Ya Never Know · November 2010

I work because I like to be challenged. I like that feeling of satisfaction I get when I complete a project and know that I've done a great job.

brookelynpaisley · November 2010

I don't necessarily love my job. I'd love to do something else someday. But I'm the one with the highest and most steady income. I don't think I'd want to be a SAHM even if it was an option because I think I'd go stir crazy. I don't know that I would get enough out of being home with kids all day.

missycrissy3 · November 2010

Im a busy body. If Im couped up in the house for too long I go crazy. I work 12 hour shifts at work and I would only need someone to help me with the kids 3 times a week.

I agree with other posters about adult interaction. I knew someone that ended up getting post partum depression because she did not leave her house for 6 weeks. Not even to go to the store.

So get out interact and work work work!!!!

ghdst1 · November 2010

I have worked since I was 15 years old. The only time I didn't hold down a part or full time job was when I was in grad school for 2 years. WHile doing my internship (40 hrs a week) I worked 20 hours a week to support myself.

When I had my son in 2009 I was off work for 3 months. While I loved it I wasn't sad when I went back to work. I only cried once about 2 weeks before I went back and not because I was sad to not be home 24/7 with him but because I was scared about the change of managing him and working at the same time. I overreacted because the adjustment wasn't bad!

I am a mental health therapist and this is what I want to do with my life. I want to be a mother and a therapist...so that is what I do.

If there is something that you really want to do don't let other goals get in your way!

nursemama2be · November 2010

I have no babies yet but I love my job because of my amazing friends there. I hear moms at my work talk about the need for adult interaction. I also went to school for a really long time to be a nurse and it has been a realization of a dream. I would however like to cut down my hours when we have kids.

StephRuns · November 2010

I love my job because it's fun, challenging, I get to meet a ton of people, and it keeps me busy. I'm a nurse.

I want to work because I think I'd go stir crazy if I were a SAHM. I have never wanted to stay home with kids. I have always wanted to work. I will go to part-time (only work 2 days a week) after we have a baby, but I couldn't imagine not working at all.

Mrs.Slick · November 2010

I like the kids (my students) and I work with one of my best friends. I also like to learn and being a teacher you're constantly learning.

But if dh's income suddenly doubled, I'd stay home until kids were in kindergarten.

We don't need the additional income but things would be tough without it for sure. I'm jealous of dh b/c he will get more time with phantom children because of his work schedule (he only works 3/4 nights per week)

kscarlett5683 · November 2010

I always thought I'd want to be a SAHM, but right now we can't financially do it. When I'm with DD all day, I love being with her, but boy, is it tiring! And you never get a break...you are ALWAYS with the LO, until they take a nap. So working is sort of a break to me.

Also, with the dual income, we can give her more than if we were only surviving on one...and those opportunities to travel, participate in sports, other activities...are priceless, really.

Next, it is DH's experience, as others, that early social interaction in a day care/nursery school setting is very beneficial to a child. If I stayed home, we definitely couldn't afford that. And, in fact, we are seriously thinking of putting DD in daycare part time and keeping the babysitter part time. We'll see.

Congrats to all graduates!

Want a personalized experience?

For those of you who will not be SAHMs

Re: For those of you who will not be SAHMs

Choose Another Board

Search Boards