I currently work full time. Due to my husband's recent promotion & new schedule, I may have the opportunity (& necessity) to not have to return to work after baby is born. I'm both excited & nervous. Was it difficult for any stay at home moms out there to make that transition?
Re: Transition to stay at home mom
I worked part time (by my choice) until my daughter's 2nd birthday, I personally really loved the balance of working part time. Now I've been a SAHM for almost a year, and I take part time college classes to keep myself busy. My DH works very long hours, so I keep DD in daycare 2 days a week so I can still have some "me time" and get a break from being a Mommmy 24/7. If you find that you need/want that, then I would make sure there is some wiggle room in your budget.
Good luck to you!
I quit working once my son was born. It is amazing and very fulfilling to be home with him. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Salary wise, it doesn't make too much sense for me to work right now. With daycare costs and the costs of gas/commuting it is pretty much a wash financially.
The only things I can complain about and that were hard for my transition to be a SAHM were: less me time. Actually, virtually NO me time. Unless you count running errands or a rare haircut. And, not eating out very much or being able to impulse buy like I use to for new clothes, i tunes, going out, etc.
I finally feel, at 9 months that it doesn't bother me too much any more. I am planning some dinners out with friends, and me and DH have dates nights sometimes, so that helps.
After my first I went back FT (with OT) and I was miserable. DH was miserable as well, just because he couldn't bare to see me so unhappy. When DS was 9 months old I started working PT (20-25 hrs a week). For me this was the ideal balance and DS went to daycare 3 days a week and did very well.
I still work 3 days a week but from home now and I struggle with being in the house all of the time. We recently moved so I think that's adding to the struggle plus preparing for a new baby.
Otherwise, I think we have a great balance and I wouldn't do things any differently. Once our DD arrives we'll re-evaluate and decide whether or not I'll become a FT SAHM or not.