Quitting work to be a sahm?

Person_one wrote: »

Some kids get a lot, some kids never miss a day of school.

You can't seriously be suggesting that the possibility of needing to take time off or make arrangements for a kid with chicken pox is a reason for a mother who wants to work not to?

I'm sure the poster wasn't, but it is an issue that needs some thought. A really sick child should not be at their parents' work: bad for everyone.
I do think that parents who work need to plan their back up for when their kids are sick.

Another problem is that children with special needs or medical conditions often have a lot of appointments which require a parent to be with them. The government offers extra childcare help for such parents, but time off for appointments often means that one parent has to take occasional / casual work.

Person_one wrote: »

Some kids get a lot, some kids never miss a day of school.

You can't seriously be suggesting that the possibility of needing to take time off or make arrangements for a kid with chicken pox is a reason for a mother who wants to work not to?

You'd be amazed at the restrictions schools and nurseries put on illness. A friends children 7 and 5 were both 'banned' from school because they suspected slapped cheek in the 5 year old. Her brother displayed no symptoms, its not a dangerous condition (and its pretty much gone by the time the red cheeks appear) but their mum had to go and pick them up and keep them both at home for 3 or 4 days.

Another friend had to pick her son up from nursery urgently due to a suspect rash (which they thought might be measles). She took him straight to the GP, who confirmed it wasn't measles and rang the nursery for her. They refused to take the child for a week "just in case".

And another currently has 2 kids off with chicken pox (7 year old caught it from toddler).

I've only read the first few posts, but I see you have qualifications in animal care etc. Can I assume from this you like pets? Have you thought of taking in dogs while the owners are on holiday? Or maybe small animals, like hamsters etc?

The reason it sprang to mind is, my Mum normally has my dog while I go on hols, but next years we are all going. I won't leave her in kennels as it would be to distressing (or maybe I'm just a wet lettuce lol) so I have found a lady who minds them in her own home.
Just thought, it gives you a bit of "pin" money, get's you out for a walk with the kids. Plus you get the benefit of having a pet without the commitment.

I know it could be a long shot (lol) and you may not fancy it or have circumstances that allow you to do it etc but it just sprang to mind!

For what is worth, here is my contribution... I don't have children of my own (have a stepdaughter though), but I am now at home as I was made redundant in February. While is not the same, I find that after almost a decade working on whatever was there for me, going to University and the last five years working extremely hard to develop my skills and do well in my job, this break is being an extremely interesting time for me. For once, I have the chance to stop and think about what I really want to do next professionally (which involved a career change that wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't been made redundant) and how I want to live my life. The way I see it, if you can financially afford it and want to be more present for your children, go for it. I think women have to do what makes them happy and yes, we should support each other and respect our choices. All day at home with small children is not for every one and that doesn't make them bad mothers. Likewise, taking a break in your career to look after your children is very wise: I have a friend who is doing it now and loving it, again, after working extremely hard in a very unforgiving industry. Like others have said, children grow very fast and before you know it they will be semi-independent. I think you have a golden opportunity in front of you for a change- take it! I am sure you will find ways to get back in to your field once you have had the time to explore what's out there and your children are a bit older or you simply feel like going back to work. The choice is yours!!

mysk_girl wrote: »

Slapped cheek can cause miscarriage in pregnant women, so I can quite understand why a school wouldn't want children who may be infectious on the premises.

I didn't know that. It makes sense then.