Any SAH(non-parents)?

[DVCJEN]

DH was promoted this year to a great position. We have been going over finances and have come to the conclusion that I really don't need to work outside the home if I don't want to. We do not have children. The idea of staying home intrigues me but I don't know if I would be bored. I love to cook and do "domestic" things but my job has not afforded me the luxury of spending much time to do those things. Anyone else a stay at home spouse with out children? What are your thoughts/challenges? Thanks!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Right now I'm a SAHS. I ended my contract in Aug and wanted to spend whatever time left with my dh before he left. I'm also leading several different committees on post during this deployment. I will admit that I miss working because I love a routine. I love knowing what to expect everyday (though I rarely get something like that). Some people think I'm a big moocher but most people understand how hard it is to do everything for everyone during the deployment. If you want to leave your job, then go ahead. Is there anything you wanted to study or learn more about? Are you wanting to be more active in your community or any specific organzations? This would be a great time. Good luck

 

[ElizK]

Would being part-time at your job be an option? For me, I think I would be bored. And I'd probably end up watching way to much idiot box, and probably on the Dis even more than I already am.... if THAT's possible.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I think that would be wonderful. I'm not in that situation, but I know someone who is. She spends her time doing domestic things and also being able to volunteer and do things at church, etc.

I say GO FOR IT!

 

[DVCJEN]

DH is on the board of two charities in our area that I would like to get involved with and I have entertained taking some classes--possibly language courses- because it has always been something I wanted to do. I guess it is scary to think about not working after having done so for the past 15 years.

lovemygoofy-- I think you are the opposite of "moocher". My Brother is career military and I see all of the resposibilities that my sister in law has when he is gone. Hats off to you!

 

[SC Minnie]

I wish I had your problem!

I have a childhood friend that only works when they buy a big ticket item like a motorcycle or car. She will work long enough to pay it off then quit. They have no children and her husband does OK but not great in the $ dept. SHe just doesn't want to work.

If I had the option I would stay home for a while and do things around the house that keep getting put aside. At some point I would volunteer somewhere to get out of the house and around people.

 

[malibuconlee]

I'm a stay at home wife. Dh and I moved back to Iowa last year when he was offered a position closer to family. Since we worked together, that meant I left my job as well.

I took some classes at the local CC. I got my real estate license, but decided that since I don't know that many people here it wasn't worth the $$ to buy into the board. I worked part time over the summer, but quit to go back to school just to really not like my classes, so I dropped.

Then DH was offered out of the blue a big raise over what he was making to go back to our old company. I wont' be going back, but I think will take classes when we move.

There have been people to make comments. I'm sure some of his family think I'm just a big bum. You do whatever you think is best for you.

Just remember that if you work, even part time, and can live off of what he makes, you can take more vacations and afford some luxuries you may want!!

Oh, and I spend WAY too much time on the internet.

 

[Rex Rules]

You are very fortunate. There are tons and tons of things for you to do - take a class - and it doesn't have to be a hard educational class - many local community colleges offer just for fun classes - such as various crafts like floral arranging, home decor, etc, as well as cooking classes, various kinds of dance and other languages.
Also there are so many organizations that need volunteers - hospitals, animal shelters, etc. Find something that you enjoy and you will be blessed by any volunteer work, I am sure.
I am a SAHM of an older child - she will be 11 in the winter. So she doesn't need me as much as when she was younger, so I find lots of things to do during the days. I don't really get bored, there is always plenty to do - I do enjoy cleaning the house and doing the laundry (not every day, don't laugh). It just makes me happy to take care of my family. But there are other things I do, like sometimes I will go to a movie during the middle of the day - especially if it is a "sappy chick flick" that I know DH won't be interested in.
I am looking into a travel agent certification class - not for the benefit of finding a travel job, but for the enjoyment of it.
I am sure you will find many things to do with yourself. Enjoy the time!! And don't let anyone tell you that you are of less value because you don't have a job. Do watch out, because there will be plenty of people (mostly jealous types) who will say ugly things to you. Don't pay any attention to them. As long as you are happy and DH is happy, that is all that really counts!

 

[Pooh67_68]

DH was promoted this year to a great position. We have been going over finances and have come to the conclusion that I really don't need to work outside the home if I don't want to. We do not have children. The idea of staying home intrigues me but I don't know if I would be bored. I love to cook and do "domestic" things but my job has not afforded me the luxury of spending much time to do those things. Anyone else a stay at home spouse with out children? What are your thoughts/challenges? Thanks!

I am a stay at home wife no children, and I love it.

People ask me all the time if I get bored and no I don't. I like being able to clean the house every other day (or every day if I choose) and when I worked that didn't happen. I don't go to school or volunteer I just like to putter around the house.

 

[Skatermom23]

Well I am a SAHM of two teens. I know it isn't the same but everyone constantly asks me when I will go back to work. My DH works a very high stress job and he loves to be able to do nothing on the weekends except watch movies and spend time with us. He can do that because I take care of everything else during the week. It works for us and eventually I look forward to the days when I can go on his business trips with him.

 

[DawnCt1]

I am technically a SAHM but my youngest is 17 so I don't need to be home to be here for small children. I worked full time for a long time. I wasn't sure how I would like being home continuously. Now that I am home, I don't know how I found the time to work. Weekends were taken up with household chores, laundry, the lawn, etc. Now I have time to actually relax at my DS's football games and not think what I "should" get done at home. This summer we got hit by cinch bugs and drought and I had a lot of brown areas on the lawn. I had time to dethatch, aerate and over seed my lawn with equipment I rented at Taylor Rental. I had time to plant tomatoes, flowers, enjoy the pool, drop off lunch for one of my DS's just because I wanted to. Yesterday the repair man came to fix my garage door opener. He is a Native American deeply involved in his culture. He goes to pow wows, has "visions", and he loves to talk about his life. I think he is lonesome. He is incredibly honest and I have had him fix the opener for years. Yes, he always fixes it, never replaces it. In the past I always felt rushed while he was here. Yesterday I had time to invite him in and let him talk for an hour. I think what staying home gives you is time to do the things that you wish you had time for. If I don't get something done today, there is always tomorrow. When I was working, I always worried about getting things done before tomorrow.

 

[katerkat]

I did it on and off, and I got bored. My husband used to move a lot in the military and I would be unemployed for 1-4 months during the moving process. I ended up taking a couple part-time jobs, even when we were only living somewhere for 4-6 months. That was nicer for me - I got out of the house and felt like I was contributing, even if it wasn't very much.

 

[SDFgirl]

I'm not, nor do I think I ever will be, sadly! I'm not sure we could afford it. Or, we could afford it, but we wouldn't be able to have much fun on one salary.

But, I think I'd love to stay at home. I'm very domestic and would really enjoy taking care of our home, volunteering, and taking classes. I struggled with this for a long time - all of my friends are very career driven and mostly, I just want to be a good wife and mom. I sort of felt guilty for feeling this way - because actually, I'm quite liberal, politically. But now I'm over it - I don't feel guilty, I just realize where my passions are.

So, I say if this is what you want to do, go for it! A lot of people (me included) would be thrilled to be in your position. Don't let others tell you how you should live your life or make you feel like less valuable a person. Life is too short to try to please everyone.

 

[helenabear]

I'm a SAHW no kids. We made that decision this spring for me to quit in the summer since my job was awful and basically wearing me down. I seriously worked in a hell hole.

Honestly I still have issues (been off since mid June) of feeling like I am not contributing too much. We are working on me getting over that though. I cook a heck of a lot more than I used to and the house is not perfect yet, but I have had so much time to fix things and get things really organized. The house does NOT look like a tornado hit it anymore. I am also able to get things done for us that just took time. I have the freedom to shop when no one is really out and I have taken over pretty much all the house work... including yard work.

There are classes we are looking at me doing and I truly admit to loving being able to be there at a drop of the hat for anyone. Also getting doc appointments is so much easier now. My husband says I am much better to live with and I really feel better about myself as a whole.

I say do it if you can... if you feel like doing volunteering or part time work then go ahead and do it. Trust me, after 4.5 months, I am not bored yet! And I doubt I ever could be!

 

[SeeDisney]

I'm a SAHmom with four and I'm looking forward to going back to work -- part time in about five years.

If I were you, I'd be probably bored -- how about considering a part -time job just to keep your mental health stimulated.

Good for you and happy for you.

 

[Mandabella]

I am a stay home spouse with no children. I decided that I wanted to go back to school for another degree, so now I'm a full time student. I would like to get a part time job soon though.