With twins and a 3 year-old, being a SAHM will be what works best for our family. I loved working (I worked in HR prior to becoming a SAHM and enjoyed it), but felt a strong pull toward becoming a SAHM after my first was born. Being a working mom when my daughter was a baby was so difficult. Being a SAHM for sure has its challenges as well. It is such a hard, personal decision.
I have been SAH since just before we got pregnant. DH has a small company that fortunately has been growing and staying very busy. I was doing my part (financial/ordering supplies/ect) after my normal work hours,but we decided that it was to the point that my being available to helping him full time would make more sense. I'm able to go and get material or product during the day and he is able to continue working in the shop and billing. I'm glad that we were able to do this prior to baby, because I've been able to "streamline" several things so that I can continue helping at the same level after she is born.
One of the hardest parts for me is finding my daily routine. I know this will change after baby, but I'm interested in other SAHM daily routines. If I don't have to leave the house, it could be pajamas all day before I know it. Any tips for feeling more productive?
Married since 9/2014 TTC since 7/2015 BFP 12/24/2015 Miscarriage 3/4/2015 at 14 weeks Baby Girl BFP 9/10/2016 EDD 5/23/17
@CClark2014 nothing wrong with pajamas all day, that means less laundry
Exactly. I seriously live in "house clothes" when I'm home. Basically comfy pants and one of many loose t-shirts I've amassed over the years from college, fundraisers, etc. I never wear jeans or normal "going further than the end of my driveway" clothes inside the house, unless we have guests over.
First thing both H and I do when we get home is put on our "comfy clothes". He doesn't want to ruin/ wrinkle his nice clothes and we both prefer to be comfier than "street clothes"
@CClark2014On the days where we stay home and in our PJ's/ comfy clothes I find that doing my makeup helps me feel more productive and like I'm not just slubbing around (nothing wrong with that!). Completing a chore helps too.
I have been SAH since just before we got pregnant. DH has a small company that fortunately has been growing and staying very busy. I was doing my part (financial/ordering supplies/ect) after my normal work hours,but we decided that it was to the point that my being available to helping him full time would make more sense. I'm able to go and get material or product during the day and he is able to continue working in the shop and billing. I'm glad that we were able to do this prior to baby, because I've been able to "streamline" several things so that I can continue helping at the same level after she is born.
One of the hardest parts for me is finding my daily routine. I know this will change after baby, but I'm interested in other SAHM daily routines. If I don't have to leave the house, it could be pajamas all day before I know it. Any tips for feeling more productive?
Technically, I would say your title is "Co-owner" and your position allows you to spend time with your kids. It sounds like you have the best of both worlds. My mom did the same for my dad's business after she quit her regular job. She mostly SAH but handled his bookkeeping. She demanded people refer to her as "co-owner" instead of bookkeeper, secretary, etc.
@CClark2014 I stayed home so much the first six months. It was flu season and I was already such a homebody so I didn't care, plus I felt like I didn't have enough time with the frequent naps. After awhile I had enough. It really help to have something most morning even if it's just a grocery shopping trip with kiddo in tow. We do storytime at least two mornings a week, little gym (they start at age 9 months? gymboree starts at an earlier age i think), etc. You can see if theres a good meetup group in your area on meetup.com. Most afternoons we just hang out at home and do free play, and I have the time to clean etc.
I work 40 hours a week but also have an hour commute each day, which leads to a lot of time away from home. I love my job, and actually don't mind the commute - it's my time to think and process or call my family to catch up, and it's a beautiful drive through wine country. I wish I could stay home more, and really wish I could work 4 10 hour days rather than 5 8 hour days (not possible per my boss). My DW takes care of our DD and that works well as she works from home. Luckily I'll have 4 weeks before EDD and 12 weeks paid, plus FMLA and sick/vacation. Super grateful for the time off but wish we were in Canada and I could have a whole year off!
I'm a work from home mom. I own & run a cattle ranch and other real estate for a couple hours each afternoon while a mother's helper minds my 5 year old, 3 year old, and 7 month old. I like having my own income, saving for retirement, and getting some quiet time while still spending most of my day with the kids. 3 kids 24/7 can be overwhelming for me.
I didn't return back to my profession after having my DD as the hours do not work around having children. I've been a SAHM for 7 months now and although I love it I sometimes wish I could go back to work, but because I'm having another baby so close there is no point for me to return to work yet. I hope when my daughter is 6 months old I can return to work part time at least for some sanity.
@BabyMC517 I work full time at a college as well and we're planning the same approach as your family. I'll be going back FT after 12 weeks - we're looking into daycare options now. As a FTM I'm shocked by how expensive it is - the place affiliated with our school is nearly $20k a year. Definitely won't work for us. We're hoping one of the home daycares out in the sticks near us will work out at a more reasonable price point. I've found figuring out daycare to be one of the most stressful parts of this whole pregnancy...
@heathh I agree! Daycare is going to be the most stressful! There is one on my campus and they have recently started taking infants, but they have to be full time (5 days/wk) and its $200/wk! I've heard from some other colleagues that it is the cheapest rate around, but still!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
@BabyMC517 sadly that rate does seem reasonable - $175/wk has been the best we've found at a reputable in-home place and everything in the college town I work in is $15-20k/yr. Ughhh
Re: GTKY: Working or SAHM
One of the hardest parts for me is finding my daily routine. I know this will change after baby, but I'm interested in other SAHM daily routines. If I don't have to leave the house, it could be pajamas all day before I know it. Any tips for feeling more productive?
TTC since 7/2015
BFP 12/24/2015 Miscarriage 3/4/2015 at 14 weeks
Baby Girl BFP 9/10/2016 EDD 5/23/17
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin