If you didn't HAVE to work would you?

[browneyes]

Good luck finding that job, Kim.

I was a SAHM for many years. I loved spending time with my kids, but I'm not the stay at home type. If I didn't have to work, I still would.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I also prefer to work- I think its the socialization outside my family I like the best- The job is okay but I like the people I work with-

Whatever money I get is my Disney fund and other impulse stuff I want/need

Ive been blessed that I can work because I want to -em

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I would go stir crazy if I didn't work. I'd try and find at least a part time job somewhere to help me maintain my sanity

 

[GoofItUp]

For me, it depends on where I am in my life. I am very blessed that my DH has a good job and I don't have to work, even though I do right now. (My job is paying our house off faster than we would otherwise as well as paying for some very nice trips!) When DH and I have children, I'll be a SAHM. Of course, I'll still have outings with playgroups, church groups, etc. to get me out of the house some. I think when I got my kids in school, I'd probably do volunteer work (I've always wanted to volunteer at the zoo, or I could volunteer at school). I would consider getting a job at that point, too, as long as I could only work while my kids were at school. There are many ways to be active and get out in the world whether you have a job or not.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have never had to work. I did stay at home while my children were young but once they started school I started substitute teaching. Now I am working towards fulltime work as a sign language interpreter as my daughters are grown and soon leaving us permanently. I still don't have to work but I want to work. If I stayed home I would only vegetate and get fat as a house. Do what you and your husband feel comfortable with.

 

[danacara]

I hate to sound superficial, but I honestly think I'll want the money more than I'll want to stay home. I'd rather work, double the family income, and give my kids the perks - lots of Disney, private college, beautiful home, the whole nine yards. If I was making $30K and barely breaking even against the cost of daycare, that would be one thing, but it is quite another to leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table to stay home.

 

[CRB#33]

I'm basically lazy and wouldn't work if I didn't have to.

 

[Cruise04]

I would probably work a part-time job at a place that I have wanted to work at if possible. Otherwise I wouldn't and I would pursue a couple of volunteer positions that I've been interested in for a few years.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I would def work regardless. Good thing is, if you dont have to work, you can be choosier with where you work and will probably love your job.

I have been ill for a couple of months now and have had to take a leave of absence from work and I'm going stircrazy most of the time. I can't imagine doing this when feeling well. I'd also spend too much money trying to occupy my time (outings, shopping, etc).

I would work from home if the opp came about...

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

I've been both. Now I work full time and wish I had time to spend w/my daughter and son. It's just so hectic when I get home, trying to cook, clean, help w/homework and run the kids where they need to be.

My DH is possibly going to be permanent w/his job in July, which means he would be able to get benefits. He wants me to quit work now and be a SAHM but I need health insurance so I'm just gonna wait it out until then. My job seems to get worse every day.

It's gonna be very tight w/the budget, but I believe I can do more good for my family by staying home than I can working full time. Plus I have the resources to work part time on my own w/my own hours.

Just praying and believing that it will happen for us in July!

Cindy

 

[huey duey & luey]

I am/was a pediatric occupational therapist. I love my job and when my kids are older I will probably work a couple of days a week. I am lucky that I can have an extrememly flexible career, before my kids I worked in a school and also worked for early intervention. I dont want to work now, I feel that working with children all day would leave me with very little energy and patience for my own. i truly have no desire to ever work full time again (hopefullly I wont have to)
Tara

 

[catsrule]

No. I have a terrible vacation habit, so I must.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Originally posted by catsrule
No. I have a terrible vacation habit, so I must.

I can't imagine getting a job where they would let me have the time off for my vacations!

 

[Planogirl]

I'm in a state of flux right now. (Not unusual for me.) I worked horrendous hours at my last job and just about broke my neck picking up my son from daycare in time. I also worked on Saturday. I quit the job due to the long hours among other reasons.

Now DH is working crazy hours that involve a lot of travel and is often gone part of the weekend. We don't have anyone to leave DS with plus he is getting a bit too old for daycare so it's a real problem. I've been trying to find a part-time job but so far they are all at night or just whenever. I'm not quite ready to leave DS at home alone particularly at night.

But I would work part-time given the choice. Working at night would be nice too since I'm a night owl.

 

[JESW]

I have been a SAHM for the last 9 years. At first it was VERY tough, as like you, I had been working since I was 16. (I was 35 when I had our first child) Even tho I loved being home with our son I went stir crazy for a while. I had a job - not really a career - but I was around people all the time and I loved the social life. I worked in documentation so I had to get information from a variety of people so I knew a lot of my co-workers. I wrote for the company newsletter sometime, volunteered at the blood drives, kids holiday party, and other things - when I was at home I missed all that. I also didn't like "play groups" - since I didn't like other Mom's just because they had kids. I missed having friends that I had other things in common with other than having children. (Everyone I knew went back to work after having kids)

We went through secondary infertility problems which was a nightmare in itself. When DD was born I was 39 and more settled in a routine. Now the kids are 5 & 9 and it's MUCH easier for us to have me at home. DD is in pre-school and DS in in 3rd grade. I am able to drive them to school and go in for different events. I have also volunteered in DS's class and will continue that in the fall when DD goes to kindergarten. I can also get the homework (nightmare sometimes) done before DH gets home.

While I loved the baby stage with my children, part of why I wanted to be a SAHM was to be able to participate in my children's education. I know their teachers, I know their friends, I know some of the other Mom's - to me that is a good thing.

I would NOT recommend being a SAHM to everyone. One of my good friends thinks I'm nuts to stay home! It's a choice only you can make. I don't make judgement on women who work outside the home - or those who don't. I am fortuante that financially right now I don't have to work. We had our kids later in life so I worked many years and we saved $$$. I'm not sure what will happen in the future. I also have my parents (78 & 83) living nearby and I am so thankful that I get to spend a lot of time with them. (Spent most of the day with them today with DD..)

But one thing I do notice is that I tend to answer threads with long posts since I don't always get a lot of adult interaction during the day and I use my DIS time for that.

I hope that things work out for you the way you want!!

Jill

 

[skuttle]

I would have to at least work part-time...I'd go crazy if not!!

The only way I wouldn't work was if we had enough money some how so that DH didn't have to work either and we could spend our time traveling...guess that would be if we won the lottery!

 

[disykat]

No - and I don't. I do some substitute teaching, but I'm mostly home. I've been a little bored lately, but it has been by choice. I was getting burnt out by some of my volunteer work, so I'm taking a break before seeking out other opportunities. You can be as busy as you want to be with volunteer work. It has definately been a bonus to my family - me being able to pick my own schedule.

 

[Kitty 34]

I like working and I like having time off so I love being a substitute teacher!!

 

[Brer_Papa]

I will be retiring in a couple - three years.....and while we definitely plan on snowbirding....the running discussion is <b>IF</b> <u>we</u> will pick up part time work @ WDW during those winter months....

I am opposed to it...once i hang it up....it is hung up....

if PrincessAriel wants to do some part-time work, I will have supper ready when she gets back to the RV...

so...no...I won't work once i don't have to....