Housewifes (or husbands... or house co-habs or civil partners ?...) & the economy

neverdespairgirl

Looking after children and a house / flat is much harder than working for a living, I reckon.

At work, you get to go to the loo on your own!

silvercar

The difference between being a business consultant and being unemployed can be marginal.

lostinrates

I'm (still atm) a housewife who has no children. That really excites people who feel being a housewife can't be work.

wageslave

There are very few mothers who wouldn't like to be a SAHM if they could afford it.

It's a dreadful feeling watching the clock at work and knowing someone else is taking your brat home from school, holding her hand and listening to her chatter about her day.

You miss chunks of your childs life that you can never get back.

michaels

We missed you - hope all is ok. xxHugsxx

lostinrates wrote: »

I'm (still atm) a housewife who has no children. That really excites people who feel being a housewife can't be work.

michaels

I have a colleague who works 3 days a week and says she prefers those days rather than the ones at home with her kids which send her stir crazy.

wageslave wrote: »

There are very few mothers who wouldn't like to be a SAHM if they could afford it.

It's a dreadful feeling watching the clock at work and knowing someone else is taking your brat home from school, holding her hand and listening to her chatter about her day.

You miss chunks of your childs life that you can never get back.

michaels

I'd somehow always seen you as young free and single - hope you are not offended...

sjaypink wrote: »

When I was a SAHM I felt quite down a lot of the time 'cos I thought people looked down on me for not having a 'job' and perceiving I was lazy... I got out of that by telling myself it was all in my head!

ash28

sjaypink wrote: »

Well, not quite '& the economy' ....

....but, I was just wondering about the perceptions of the economically inactive

A colleague at work today suggested its amazing how many people [STRIKE]lie[/STRIKE] write on forms 'housewife' rather than 'unemployed'

When I asked what he classed himself as whilst at uni he said 'student (why? what you trying to say?)'

He wasn't too happy about me insinuating his 73 year old Nan was a work shy layabout either

So, whats the difference? :cool:

I'm economically inactive or unemployed which ever way you want to look at it.

I'm mid 50s have a private pension and don't have to go to work - something I planned most of life for - I don't really care who thinks I'm a work shy layabout. I cost the state nothing, I still pay income tax etc.

I could get a job if I wanted I suppose, but I could be keeping someone who needs a job out of one (that's my excuse anyway).

olly300

sjaypink wrote: »

When I was a SAHM I felt quite down a lot of the time 'cos I thought people looked down on me for not having a 'job' and perceiving I was lazy... I got out of that by telling myself it was all in my head!

Well I wasn't mad, & I wasn't lazy! People really do think it!

I've always been aware that some SAHMs do a lot.

My own working mother would have had no childcare if it wasn't for other SAHMs. Plus a lot of the SAHM I know now do things like volunteering (not all of it related to children), unpaid work and studying.

Although I have met a few who do nothing mainly because their husbands forbid them to do things or they simply don't want to.

treliac

Mozette wrote: »

it's down to individual choice.

If only that were true. Mostly it's down to economic need.