Ladies, how do you feel about being a stay at home mom/wife?

I am a stay at home wife and mum of three. I wanted to be there to raise my children not somebody else. I have enjoyed being there for them 100 percent and the two eldest friends wish their mums were their for them too, also ive seen numerous blogs online stating this they hate going home to empty homes sometimes for long periods of time, having to make food which is usually the wrong kind. A nice warm hearty dinner I think is a nicer option. I get the pleasure of seeing my babies grow in every way, school concerts and always great to see them after school when they greet you with their days news. What other job could have such great rewards and love. I know a few people that prefer to work and think the option is easier and less stressful and would say its a lot harder to stay at home and say they cannot manage without the money. Children are far more important than money to me and that I would sacrafice a million times ova. Some would argue they need money but lifestyle is a choice and materalistic things well come nowhere near the joy children will give you. I had my children not for someone else to bring them up. I also know a few people that have regreted not being there for their children choosing money first cos you can never get the yrs back and they go by so quick. It is very rewarding and I think the best job in the world.

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My contribution to society!:happy:

I have been a SAHM for 16 years and you defiantly have the good with the bad. We have 7 children the oldest being 16 and the youngest is 2 (and oh is he 2!) Anyway, I do have a floral business on the side where I do flowers for weddings and other events. Even though I only have 2-6 events a year but it is a great way to have that sense of professionalism here and there. I also do volunteer with my kids organizations they are involved in. Financially it is really tough. I have learned to scale back on things especially Christmas and birthdays. I do have to say that it is nice to have a husband who works from home twice a week and 2 teenage daughters that are pretty helpful when they need to be. I consider my situation ideal for our family. Like anything, what is best for your family can be totally different than everybody else’s.

I've been a stay-at-home mom for 5.5 years (I have a 5.5 year old and 3 year old). I was an elementary school teacher before I had kids...also, worked in daycare for years.

For me, I WANTED to be a sahm before I had kids. It is a finite time in your life and your kids' lives. I wanted to spend this window of time with my kids. I felt like I was the best "first teacher" for my kids.

It can be very difficult. Exhausting, emotionally draining...it can also be very isolating, b/c you aren't likely to know people who have kids the same age as yours when you first stop working. It is also very rewarding. I have been told by woman (with teenage kids) who were sahms, then returned to work, that being a sahm was the best time of their lives (now that they look back at it).

If you can afford to do so, you should try it and see if it is for you. It isn't for everyone. Just like working and trying to balance work and kids isn't for everyone either.

I'm not a mother, but I'd like to be a stay at home wife one day if it's financially able with my husband. And if I ever have children I would want to be there to raise them. What do you think?

Exactly my thoughts.

Personally I'd rather not. I also can't imagine being a mom right now either. My mom was a stay at home mom for most of the time I was a kid, and it was great having her around. When I'm a mom, I'd like to do that for them...but I really don't think that will be enough for me. I want a career too and make my own money and not rely on my husband, if I ever have one.

If you can afford it and want to do it, do it! sahm's are productive members of society. its a very hard job, but so worth it! being able to volunteer at my kids school, be home when they were sick, home after school and summers and holidays, so worth any financial sacrifices we may have made while they were growing up. my kids still talk about the things we did and made and I think I am very close to my boys because of it. my kids are not embarassed at all and still love it when their dad and i have lunch with them, youngest is in 8th grade.

I am a SAHM... I wouldn't make enough money to cover daycare expenses for two, now they're in school but between all the sick days, breaks, snow days, random school closed days... it's still not worth it! Even though I spend a lot of days not doing anything... But to be fair I had no luck getting a good job before I got the kids either.

I enjoy it way more now that they are in school, lol! But it's very lonely and boring. I had no luck meeting other moms, but I guess I'm not the very sociable type anyway. But it's hard not to feel pretty useless at times... it can be pretty depressing (plus I'm not really the perfect SAHM and I really lack patience sometimes). I make a bit of money on the side with websites that reward you for surveys, searches etc.

I really dread what I will do with my life later though... I can't find a job easily now, I can't imagine what it will be like in 12 years. I'm not dumb, it's actually pretty frustrating that it's impossible to find a job I could do at home on my own time

I never had the desire to stay home before we had children, but I think the appeal is in the wife being able to do household chores and whatever else they may do while the husband is working. Then when the husband is home, they have all the time in the world to just be together. I don't know. Now that I typed that out, it does sound slightly appealing to me.


This was in response to the question posed a couple of posts up.