Now see...... I'm finding the SAHM's on this are very interesting and I haven't read about any losing their identity yet.
I agree w/ what so much of you have said. If you are not happy staying at home w/ the kids, then don't. The kids will be much better off in a good daycare than w/ a whining, unhappy Mom who thinks she gave up everything for them. I want to do this and I am so very happy and my kids are better off w/ me at home. A couple of my DF's (one of which is an attorney who is an ExSAHM until her kids were both in school full-time) want to keep working and that is great for them, too. I offer to help out w/ the carpooling or whatever else I can do because that is tough being a WM and I am glad I don't have to work outside the home.
Hannah's Mom: I always heard the saying that when you die, your tray will still be full. And I must tell my DH to try to enjoy life a little, hence our new ownership of a DVC. He works so very hard. I thought about when I am 80 (hopefully I'll make it there), and looking back on my life, will I be more proud and happy about my wonderful career or my wonderful children? Obviously, you all know my decision.
Huey duey & luey: My God Honey! My heart goes out to you! Raising children means lots of sacrifices. I was speaking w/ my DH last night after I left the boards and told him I've lost not my identity, but most of my private time. I mean, I love being a SAHM, but now that there are 2 (3 is a whole new dynamic), and I get a shower, one goes in the bath beside me, the other in the ultrasaucer beside me, and me in my glass shower so I can watch them. In the bathroom, I always have one of them coming to visit to see how I'm doing. But kids can get into amazing trouble at this age, so I'm glad for the visit to reassure me of their well being. But my showers are a family affair these days and once in a while I miss my primping and probing and quiet days. That's when my DH takes them and I get a bubble bath. The only other way to avoid that is to get up before 5 or 5:30, get a shower and hope that the little guy doesn't awaken before I get out. But that is so difficult for me, too, seeing as I am up usually past 11 or 12 doing all the acctg work I didn't do during the day because I was spending my time w/ them. Sending lots of Pixie Dust your way for strength and humor and hoping you have a wonderful 2nd trip to WDW.
Julia and Nicks Mom: Same goes for me. I have kept up w/ a good hair cut and highlighting every 7 wks and my DH comes home that day for his time w/ the kids while I go out for personal care.
I may have black circles under my eyes..... BUT my hair looks good! He has also watched the kids for me while I go out for coffee w/ friends and the like. My parents are living outside the country having the time of their lives (way to go ExSAHM) and his parents are here, but much older, and they can't handle the children. So we help each other out and we stay happy that way. And he helps me around the house whenever he can. And I am sure you do use your education every single day as I do mine. You make all us SAHM's proud.
Momof2inPA: I totally agree. Would talking about shoes and men be more interesting? In fact, wasn't Miranda in one show exasperated w/ the other girls for only talking about men? She was so frustrated because every conversation they had surrounded around past relationships w/ the opposite sex. She said something like, "We are educated, beautiful, interesting women and all we can talk about is men." And she got up and walked away. I never talk about men or shoes. And Roliepoliefan: I too make a special point not to talk about my kids for your reasons, esp. to my DF's who have no children and to those who have children who are older. I do chat w/ my DF who has children the same age as my kids because we like to brainstorm w/ each other about raising the kiddies. But I agree w/ you about not inundating others w/ stories of our little darlings.
Everyone else who said such thought provoking things... I agree with you and support your decisions wholeheartedly. Isn't it great that we can make these kind of choices these days? And a lot of families in our generation are choosing to stay home, whether it be the Mom or Dad. Like Slightly Goofy said, I hope everyone is living their dreams, whatever they may be.
