Babies: 3 - 6 Months

Uh, I have alot of guilt.

Because I don't like being a SAHM nearly as much as I thought I would.  I feel so guilty about this too because DD is such a sweet and easy baby!  But the thought of juggling work, baby, DH, and house makes me go crazy. 

 

I can't be the only one who feels this way, right?   Right?  Bueller?

 

::vent over::

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Re: Uh, I have alot of guilt.

  • I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.
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  • I'm sorry, sweets. What about it don't you like?
  • Gosh it is soooooooo incredibly normal to feel this way. I am on maternity leave for a year and though I love being a SAHM I am looking forward to doing something for our household (bringing in some moola). It's very normal to miss adult interaction. I find myself on the computer way too much but I am just adding on projects for myself. 

    I live in Canada and am deep in the middle of winter so walks aren't an option but come the spring it's the plan to go out more and enrol LO in swimming lessons. I need some hobbies. I love being at home with him but we need more activites amidst our routine.  

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  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.
    This! Could you get a part time job maybe?

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  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

    Same here.

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  • I could have wrote this post myself.  The grass is always greener I suppose...

    I am going back to work (hopefully part time) in August (i'm a teacher) and I am looking forward to it.  Even though I love spending lots of time with DD I need some other kind of interaction in my day!

  • LOL MSC.

    Yes, I would feel this way also ... hence, I'm a working mom. It's just in my blood to work outside the home and I think I'm a better mommy for it.

    Not everyone has that luxury, but I also think it's funny that some would consider it a luxury ... others consider staying at home a luxury. We're all different. Doesn't mean you love your LO any less.

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  • I work FT, and on the days I've had to stay home with DS due to illness or weather, I've realized I'm very thankful for day care. It was really hard to get back to work for the first few weeks, and I wish I worked only 25-30hrs/wk to take away some of the pressure for housework and errands. But I get to dress up a bit, my day has structure, and I enjoy my coffee and lunch without worrying about naptime ending or if DS's entertained. When it gets really overwhelming, I've taken a vacation day to catch up on housework and shopping while DS is taken care of at school. And DS's teachers really have gotten to know him and have all sorts of tricks for helping with his development. While I might dream about never ending days in pj's after a really rough night, I know being a SAH is no walk in the park.
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  • I can understand. I am a SAHM because of lay offs while I was pregnant.Now I am staying home for a while. I miss making money,but I wouldn't want to be at work again all day.Can you find some stuff to do?Activities,hobbies?Try taking up photography,a craft of some sort,any type of project.
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  • imagekmeek19:
    I'm sorry, sweets. What about it don't you like?

     

    Having my only interaction really be with my babe (though she is awesome Big Smile )   I'm having trouble finding Mom's groups in my 'hood and all my friends work.  I think a LOT of it is cabin fever, so I can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can get out more for walks.  (But I'm a total spaz about flat head and don't want her in her car seat too long, though I could easily walk the afternoon away).

     

    Wah Wah Wah.  Sorry I'm just feeling sad for myself.

  • Oh and totally...grass is ALWAYS greener.  When I worked I just wanted to be home.  Now I want to work. WTF.
  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.
    This. I'm currently fulltime and would kill to SAH. I'm looking for part time work and ways to budget to make up for the loss of income. I'm miserable. But to each their own!
  • I will fully admit that I could never be a stay at home mom. I just don't have it in me. I need to have routine adult interaction, I need to challenge my mind daily. My solution is working a very early shift. I work 5 am - noon. This way dd only has to spend 4 1/2 hrs in daycare & I still get to pick ds up from Kindergarten.
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  • Being a SAHM gets hard for me when the weather sucks and I'm stuck in the house a lot.

    Maybe with Spring coming you'll change your mind? 

    I have days I miss working, but on nice days like today when I get to go outside with my boys and enjoy the weather (we went to the zoo) I feel very lucky.

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  • I hear ya on being conflicted.  I don't think I could be a SAHM.  I really wanted to go back to work after maternity leave.  Work gave me the want to come home to see DS.  I think working part time would be great.  You do have to weigh the cost of daycare vs. having a job though.  If I made too little $ I would have to stay home.
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  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

     This.  If you want, you can have my job and deal with taxpayers all day.  And I'll stay home with both our behbehs.Stick out tongue

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  • Working part time could be your answer like PP's said. It has worked great for me, I still get to be home alot with DD, but I also get to make money and I love what I do for work so its a win-win. I guess I should add- My mom watches DD the two days I work so I am not paying for daycare. 

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  • When I was on leave (just 11 short weeks) I definitely got a little stir crazy.  Now that I'm back to work full time, I wish I had more time at home.

    I think if I was able to work part time, that would be perfect for me. In fact I am looking in to that right now. Part time out of the home and maybe some contact work on side that I can do from home to make up the income I'd be missing.

    Look into some MDO programs and get a part time job to give you something different to do.  

     

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  • imageCaraM01:
    Oh and totally...grass is ALWAYS greener.  When I worked I just wanted to be home.  Now I want to work. WTF.

    Yeah I know what you mean.  It kills me to leave DS every morning, but deep down I know I wouldn't really enjoy being at home full time.

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  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

    This.
    I'm not bitter, I just wanted to use this pic :)

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  • imagejesseandjen:

    imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

    This.
    I'm not bitter, I just wanted to use this pic :)

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    lol that is totally me today.

  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

    This is what I am thinking as well... Sad

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  • imageklio79:
    I work FT, and on the days I've had to stay home with DS due to illness or weather, I've realized I'm very thankful for day care. It was really hard to get back to work for the first few weeks, and I wish I worked only 25-30hrs/wk to take away some of the pressure for housework and errands. But I get to dress up a bit, my day has structure, and I enjoy my coffee and lunch without worrying about naptime ending or if DS's entertained. When it gets really overwhelming, I've taken a vacation day to catch up on housework and shopping while DS is taken care of at school. And DS's teachers really have gotten to know him and have all sorts of tricks for helping with his development. While I might dream about never ending days in pj's after a really rough night, I know being a SAH is no walk in the park.

    This is totally me, too!  I thought I would have loved to be a SAHM, but I love going to work and not having to worry about when I can squeeze in lunch or an email.  We are very lucky to be in a position where we can have a full-time nanny (while I'm at work, not a live-in nanny).  I know DS is getting everything he needs and more from her.  She was a 1st grade teacher for a while and plays a major part in his physical and mental development.  We are very grateful.

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  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

    This for me too.

    I'm counting down the days until DH is done with grad school and makes enough for me to stop working.

    Sadie is not impressed.
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  • I'm in Canada (on mat leave for a year) and I can't imagine not going back to work next fall.  SAH is emotionally and socially hard - but intellectually I feel like I"m losing brain cells by the day.  Honestly, it's not the 1950's, you don't have to stay home, why not look into part or full-time work?  It may be a juggle, but it can be good for both you and LO - especially as time goes on, eventually they need experiences other than staying home with mom. 

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  • since your friends work have you thought about trying to meet up with them for lunch during their lunch hour? I go to lunch or see friends at least once a week, sometimes just going to the grocery store is nice just getting out of the house.  :)
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  • I work part time so I'm a SAHM some days and a WAHM some days and one day I'm outside of the house working.  I have to say this:  It is SOOOO much easier and less exhausting to go to work, come home, play with DD, then it is to take care of her all day.  On the days she doesn't nap, I get really frustrated.  BUT I am happy that I have the options I have.  Maybe you just need something for yourself.
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  • I understand. I'm gonna be honest, I just had a mini-meltdown after being puked on for the umpteenth time today. In my defense, DH is out of town and I have a filthy house full of half-packed boxes, so my fuse is running short. I also poured myself the iced coffee I'd been looking forward to since breakfast and then forgot it on the counter for an hour trying to get B down to sleep (and she still isn't, two hours later). Some days are like that.

    Then I remind myself that the alternative is not to go back to the way things were pre-baby, where I put in a full day at a job I loved and had the time to clean, exercise, and do any leisure activity I wanted. The alternative is to be responsible for all the same things I am now after putting in a full day's work. It's not about the money--we are doing fine on one income--but it does suck that the work I do here all day pays nothing. I expected to have my household in order as a SAHM. It's not.

    I don't know. Sorry to hijack. Point is, yes, I think it is normal and okay to feel that way. 

     

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  • imageMrsSummitCounty:
    I'm afraid I can't hear you because my jealousy is so loud.

    No kidding. 

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  • I love my DS, but I also really, really love my job. The guilt I feel comes from the fact that by the time I get home from my 35 minute commute, squeeze in a quickie workout (if I'm not interrupted), and make dinner, I've only got an hour or two before DS goes to bed. I already wake up at before-dawn-thirty, so waking up even earlier to work out is out of the question. Fitness was a huge part of my life before the baby, so it feels wrong to give it up. My SIL had a baby 2 weeks before I did and she doesn't let her DS out of her sight/arms from the moment she comes home from work, and thinks any time she has off should be spent with her son or else she's a terrible mom (and she thinks I'm crazy/selfish for leaving the baby with grandparents to get out of the house). Can I find a happy medium?
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  • Oh, I know...

    We can't afford for me to stay home... but would I want to?

     If you ask me on a Sunday night, then No. After a Saturday and Sunday in the house I already feel the itch to get out.

    If you ask me on a Monday morning while getting him ready for Daycare/Babysitter, and almost in tears then Yes, I wanna stay home with him. I start to wonder what he's doing all day in DC...is he happy?

    I feel your pain.... and if you figure out how to feel better about this let me know. I just hope I am making the right decision for me and my child. :tears:

    Good Luck

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  • imagegiantsgirl55:

    Oh, I know...

    We can't afford for me to stay home... but would I want to?

     If you ask me on a Sunday night, then No. After a Saturday and Sunday in the house I already feel the itch to get out.

    If you ask me on a Monday morning while getting him ready for Daycare/Babysitter, and almost in tears then Yes, I wanna stay home with him. I start to wonder what he's doing all day in DC...is he happy?

    I feel your pain.... and if you figure out how to feel better about this let me know. I just hope I am making the right decision for me and my child. :tears:

    Good Luck

    I can totally relate to all of this! I'm always so torn.

  • imageChicagoLaura:

    I could have wrote this post myself.  The grass is always greener I suppose...

    I am going back to work (hopefully part time) in August (i'm a teacher) and I am looking forward to it.  Even though I love spending lots of time with DD I need some other kind of interaction in my day!

  • imageChicagoLaura:

    I could have wrote this post myself.  The grass is always greener I suppose...

    I am going back to work (hopefully part time) in August (i'm a teacher) and I am looking forward to it.  Even though I love spending lots of time with DD I need some other kind of interaction in my day!

  • imageChrissieW3:

    LOL MSC.

    Yes, I would feel this way also ... hence, I'm a working mom. It's just in my blood to work outside the home and I think I'm a better mommy for it.

    Not everyone has that luxury, but I also think it's funny that some would consider it a luxury ... others consider staying at home a luxury. We're all different. Doesn't mean you love your LO any less.

    I couldn't agree more! I miss my son while I'm working, but I think I'm a better mom because of it.

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  • I don't like it when I have nothing to do. I try to stretch everything out so I have something to do every day. But then I just get "yelled" at because the laundry baskets are piling up or there is dust in the table. Ugh its a win-lose situation.
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  • imagekspies:

    I understand. I'm gonna be honest, I just had a mini-meltdown after being puked on for the umpteenth time today. In my defense, DH is out of town and I have a filthy house full of half-packed boxes, so my fuse is running short. I also poured myself the iced coffee I'd been looking forward to since breakfast and then forgot it on the counter for an hour trying to get B down to sleep (and she still isn't, two hours later). Some days are like that.

    Then I remind myself that the alternative is not to go back to the way things were pre-baby, where I put in a full day at a job I loved and had the time to clean, exercise, and do any leisure activity I wanted. The alternative is to be responsible for all the same things I am now after putting in a full day's work. It's not about the money--we are doing fine on one income--but it does suck that the work I do here all day pays nothing. I expected to have my household in order as a SAHM. It's not.

    I don't know. Sorry to hijack. Point is, yes, I think it is normal and okay to feel that way. 

     

    If I were a SAHM I would definitely not put the brunt of the housework on my shoulders. I think I got less done being home all day on maternity leave than I do now going to work.

    The time being away (w/o having to think about LO) helps keep me from getting too drained.

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  • I understand how you feel, only I don't have any easy baby. Being a SAHM is hard. I'm already making plans to go back to work part time in the fall. I'm just not cut out to be at home all the time. Try to keep things in perspective and enjoy the time that you get to spend with your LO.
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  • I totally understand.  I think it will be easier when Maddie outgrows her colic, but right now it is REALLY hard.  It was certaintly much easier to go put in my 8 or 9 hours at work, take 30 minutes for lunch, and come home.  Sometimes I miss that, but then I look at my little baby and wouldn't want to give up any of the minutes I have with her--even when those minutes mean she is screaming in my ear.

    It does help to get out of the house.  I tried joining a mom's group, but really they aren't for me.  Meet friends for lunch, meet DH for lunch.  Anything for adult interaction!

    That said, I know I won't be able to do this forever.  I have no intention of ever going back to my old profession (retail management), but I do want to go back to school and maybe get my masters degree while I am home. 

     

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  • Thank you all for your insights.  Wow I totally expected my post to get lost in the shuffle  :)   I feel a teensy less guilty now.  Sort of.
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