I'm Loving it!

Little_Vics

to be slightly controversial, I don't mind if it isn't a joke. I'm intelligent, have a post-grad degree, 10 years as a senior manager but I'm very open about the fact that I want to be a stay-at-home mum. Just got to produce the sprogs!!

sazzy6

Little_Vics wrote: »

to be slightly controversial, I don't mind if it isn't a joke. I'm intelligent, have a post-grad degree, 10 years as a senior manager but I'm very open about the fact that I want to be a stay-at-home mum. Just got to produce the sprogs!!

I have no problems with people wanting to stay at home-think it's great. However it is NOT 'someone's place' to be at home!

Fozz

I absolutely know where you are coming from Julie67, I changed jobs in November last year because I was getting stressed in my old job. I am earning less but feel so much more relaxed! I have time now to be more OS, I can meal plan more and keep up with my housework. Yesterday I made a huge gluten free lasagne for my oldest DD which I portioned up and froze.
If I had been working more hours I would have gone to the supermarket and bought a load of ready made gluten free stuff costing twice as much!
I think I have now found the right balance of work and home. If I was at home all the time I would get a bit "down", I need the impetus of a job to keep me going, but part time is the way to go for me.:)

bunny_too

Julie67, i have had to give up work due to ill health, and am now having to live on a lot less. The first thing i noticed when giving up work 4 years ago, was that i spent less on new clothes, shoes, hairdressing, beauty salon,nights out with colleagues, and petrol. Also grocery bill became less and no carry outs as i now have time for home cooking. Go for it if you can, and i hope you have good health to enjoy it. All the very best BTx

affordmylife

that totally could be me writing that post except i am still at work.

i work in school so get long holidays and its always a real struggle to go back.

i know i want to stay at home but we need the wage.

well done for you im pleased for you xx

Julie67

Thanks for the replies everyone. I thought I would find a lot of like minded folk on here. I have noticed a change in my spending already. I don't feel the need to buy new clothes all the time, at all, really. I am having a ball updating and altering things from the back of my wardrobe.
Our food bill has plummeted and as for takeaways, I am sure our locals have seen a huge dip in profits LOL it got to the point were we were having them every other night!
My DH keeps commenting on the new chilled me. We had a family get together on Saturday as my brother is home from Australia and I made the desserts (apple pie). Everyone was amazed and a couple of people commented that I had never looked better. I certainly haven't lost any weight so it must be my more relaxed state of mind.
I can't tell you what a fantastic feeling it is on a Sunday night not worrying about chairing huge meetings the following day and whether I will get away before 6pm having arrived at 8.00am
The benefits to my health far outweigh the financial gain of staying in a job that I hated. For me this is definitely the right choice.

NualaBuala

candygirl wrote: »

Ta hun, it's in tribute to god loving Stephen Baldwin on celeb Big Bro:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I like your quote too! For me he had religion but lacked spirituality.

Julie, wonderful that you've had this realisation! :T Somewhere along the way, luxuries became "necessities" and we all had to work longer and harder to afford them. I wouldn't dream of criticising anyone who chooses to work (and of course many have no choice in the matter), but I think it would be good if everyone at least took the time for a deep breath and to stand back and think about what is most important to them. And perhaps they would choose to work or to make some material sacrifices and stay at home with their children. Growing up, we didn't have foreign holidays or fancy clothes, mainly hand-me-downs because Mum and Dad felt buying new ones was a waste. But we had Mum at home and I think that was really important and more valuable by far than material things. And we certainly didn't miss out by not having foreign holidays -we had the best fun on our rainy Irish mobile home type hols! It was a simple childhood with few extravagances and I truly think we are better off for it.

MrsChaos

Quackers wrote: »

I really wish I didn't have to work. I wish I could stay at home

I often feel the same, but this is a really complex issue (without any highly controversial comments thrown in for the sake of it).

I always thought I'd be bored at home after a while, but I'm not in a position to try it out as we really couldn't manage on DH's wages - even with OS. After DS1 was born I didn't allow myself to think about it, because it just wasn't possible.

My Mum stayed at home until I started school, but my grandmother was always there for me when I came home. She lived with us, so childcare was never a problem. However, Mum worked her socks off for my education and she was proud when I went to uni and started working as a teacher. She wanted me to have the career she'd not been able to afford for herself, due to circumstances.

I joined the profession quite late (I was almost 26) and didn't have DS1 until I was 29. DS2 came 10 years later. A lot of my stress is caused by juggling the different aspects of my life with little support from DH. At the moment I feel that I'd really enjoy being a SAHM, but that would probably change if we were struggling financially. It would still be stressful, just different.

I've even thought about a different job, but I feel that the benefits of teaching outweigh the drawbacks. At least I have the holidays off and my day in school is not too long, even if I end up working at home once DS2 is in bed. The weekends are worst. My two colleagues in the department don't have children and their DHs are very supportive, so they can afford to spend quite a few hours planning and doing admin. My DH works Saturdays, so I try to find a balance between housework, schoolwork, errands, and spending time with the kids.

I don't think that this is a 'one size fits all' issue. I see many kids at school whose parents are at home full time and who are clearly not at all better off for it. I certainly have regrets and sometimes wonder if I could have found another solution, but it doesn't get me anywhere.

Sorry that this ended up such a long post, but it's something that's been on my mind for a while.

dehaani

sazzy6 wrote: »

Here's hoping this is a joke!?!

Did I say something funny? :huh:

[Deleted User]

Wow Julie - thats fab - just wanted to say good on you - good luck with everything x