Leaving the workplace to 'work' at home

DianaMattos

Hello All,

I was planning to stop work in April to concentrate on my home and other wifely pursuits as I am fortunate to have a husband who a) believes that this kind of thing is important, and b) earns enough that we don't need my salary coming in to meet our expenses.

I grew up in a family where money was always tight, and thus have always lived frugally and doing most things 'old style', but that kind of thing takes time.

Anyway, I guess my main query is to ask if any of you have 'come home' from the workplace because you could (we don't have any children yet...), and how you explained that to people who asked what it was you did for a living and how you dealt with their reaction as it is so unusual especially when you don't have children?

(I said at the beginning of the post 'I was' due to stop in April, but due to a happy event:j that is in its very early stages, I am planning on staying on a little longer at work in order to keep money coming in until next March. Not that money is everything, but with the house renovations being far more extensive that we thought and a new way of life to embrace, every little helps, especially when you don't have to 'work' for it...)

If you've followed all that, well done!

Love Di x

seraphina

I would say "I am a housewife". Or a domestic manager if you want to!

Anyone who doesn't realise the value of a housewife role will immediately identify themselves so you can stop wasting time with them and concentrate on people who know better:rotfl:

Good for you - I love my job and have no kids yet but I was fortunate enough to have a SAHM and it was invaluable.

People in the City pay $$$$s for someone to do all their house duties for them!

Shelley84

I think I can guess your happy event (Congratulations!). I hope I'm not wrong as I'll look silly!! :rolleyes:

Anyway it's no-ones business. When I was on maternity leave people would look at me pushing my baby in his pram through town like I was a chavvy teen mum (i was 21). But I've worked since I was 13 and have worked damn hard all my life, I work part time now and am going full time in a few months. When people commented I just ignored them. You shouldn't have to explain yourself to anyone.

If you are able to do it then why not, I wouldn't as I would get bored at home all day, I love work, its my escape!!!

Go for it and don't listen to any negative comments. Being a housewife is a fulltime job!

lilmisskitkat

I'm a SAHM and housewife and i'm proud of what i do BUT you do tend to get negative reactions when someone asks you what you do :rolleyes: . Like its not something that is considered to be important and is dismissed as 'just' a housewife/mum and my favourite - people who think i sit on my a*** all day and watch tv :rotfl: They're welcome to come and be me for a day, believe me!

Between DD (6) starting school and getting pregnant with this one i was constantly asked when i was going to get a 'proper' job now that i had DD off my hands :mad:

Personally i think my job is very important and i'm lucky that we can live on what OH earns (with careful budgetting) and that i dont NEED to go out and do a 'proper' job. Plus OH agrees with me that my place is in the home and we all benefit from it.

Good for you hun if it feels right for you and your OH then take no notice of what anyone else says, its your life.

Kate xxx

champys

Diana - I agree with Shelley84 that it is nobody's business and you should not feel compelled to 'justify' yourself, this is your own personal choice (and most of them are simply jealous!). I remember the standard response of my aunt when she was asked "what do you do?" She would say: "I do absolutely nothing all day, and it is wonderful!"
Lots of good luck to you!

Skint_Catt

I would give anything to be a housewife, but until I have a 'happy event' I think my OH is happy for me to continue working FT and do all the housework! We could live without my salary although it would take some juggling (all on my part of course because he can't live without a fourth drumkit....!)

Do it, enjoy it and be happy

HariboJunkie

Did anyone see Liz Jone's article in the Mail on Sunday about the "Nigella Generation"? Link

This is a direct quote from the article...

"Women were suckered by feminism into wanting careers above all else. Now they all want to do an about-turn because, surprise surprise, they have discovered something men have known for years: that the workplace is monotonous and boring and hard.

And so along comes all this domestic nonsense, which women are grasping with both hands as a way to get off the treadmill. We will forever moan about not being happy and we will endlessly rearrange the boardroom and the kitchen, trying to find something that doesn't really exist." :eek:

If you are a SAHM I'd advise sitting down before reading the whole thing and bear in mind that this is written by a woman with no kids and a massive passion for "me time" :rolleyes:

It will make your blood boil. :mad:

OP, you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. If you throw your heart and soul into keeping your home and family well, then you are doing a full time job.

Skint_Catt

Normally I like Liz Jones' writing but thats just insane!

HariboJunkie

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Normally I like Liz Jones' writing but thats just insane!

I read her Sunday column cos I find it funny how one woman can be so self obsessed but you're right. This one did just smack of insanity. :rolleyes:

Olliebeak

However you choose to run your 'home life/work life' is only the business of yourself and OH! Nobody else has a right to say anything critical at all.

I was a SAHM for a few years while mine were quite young and only looked for part-time work as and when the hours would fit in around school-time. I also started a 'Mum and Toddler Group' because when I asked at the local Community Centre about one - I was told 'If you want one - you start it!' - we had 16 mums with their 'under 4's' (around 20 babies/toddlers!) coming along for 2 sessions per week. That gave me opportunities to get to know other mums in the area and my children got to know others that they would be going to nursery/school with when the time came.

There is nothing in this world more rewarding than doing a responsible/loving job of bringing up the next generation - you revel in it, girl and to anybody who dares to criticise you!

thriftlady_2

I love my job as a housewife and if you want validation that it is a worthwhile occupation you can do no better than to read this and stuff Liz Jones whoever she is:p

I gave up my very short teaching career when pregnant with my first child. It was only going to be for a year as we didn't think we could afford for me not to work. But, it turned out we could and have continued to manage fine on one salary with 3 kids. I now wish I'd never worked even before kids but somehow that was never an option and I wonder what family and friends would have thought if I'd done that. I think it is wonderful that you are making homemaking a full-time occupation before having children :T even if it might not stay that way for long