I'm "retireing"

[Dizisfun]

Congratulations! I retired on February 1 bc I worked for the fed govt for 32 years and I turned 55. I wish I could have done this when my kids were home and needed me. Now I'm bored and looking for a part time job. Lol. I can only vacuum and dust so many times a week and I'm starting to know the walmArt and Lowes employees by their first names.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Best wishes, Crisi! I have been a SAHM since my oldest was born, and the early years were much harder than they are now in terms of adult conversation and intellectual stimulation. My oldest is 13 and is all over the place playing two sports, and my younger DD is just as active. I feel that they need me at home now more than they did as toddlers.

I will say that I am never bored. I volunteer at the elementary and the middle school and will volunteer at the high school in the fall. I routinely help DD's friends with their algebra. I manage DD's soccer team. I'm learning a new language. There is never a shortage of things to do, and it is not all about grocery shopping and cleaning house. I have no doubt that you will find things to keep busy that are meaningful to you.

 

[EmJay2001]

Best wishes, Crisi! I have been a SAHM since my oldest was born, and the early years were much harder than they are now in terms of adult conversation and intellectual stimulation. My oldest is 13 and is all over the place playing two sports, and my younger DD is just as active. I feel that they need me at home now more than they did as toddlers.

I will say that I am never bored. I volunteer at the elementary and the middle school and will volunteer at the high school in the fall. I routinely help DD's friends with their algebra. I manage DD's soccer team. I'm learning a new language. There is never a shortage of things to do, and it is not all about grocery shopping and cleaning house. I have no doubt that you will find things to keep busy that are meaningful to you.

Yes! I was a SAHM for 10 years, went back to work for 2 in a very stressful IT job and quit last December. I am just as busy now as I was before but with things I want to do and not with work. I did like my job a lot, it was a hard decision. It was very interesting and rewarding but just too intense and demanding with a young family. I do not regret it one bit! and it is definitely not about shopping and cleaning (I still have a housekeeper after almost 5 months!!! Insane ).

Enjoy!

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Congratulations! This is my second year back home with the kids. I stayed home when they were little then went back for seven years and two years ago left a bad situation. I initially planned on taking off one year, but now I'm pretty sure I'm not going back anytime soon! It has made a difference in everyone's life and I love taking care of the kids and the home full time. DW never wants me to go back...she loves the flexibility we have now with only one work schedule.

I find plenty to keep me busy and am very content. I hope you enjoy your new SAHM status!

 

[skriegerjr]

Admins, I'd like to know why my post about my wife staying home with our daughter and completing her master's degree was deleted from this thread?

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

 

[keri125]

I think this is absolutely wonderful, and am so happy that you can do it! I am a single mother of an 8 year old boy, and as the sole supporter I could not even think of being able to stay at home with him - at least until my work shared lottery ticket pays off! However, my mom is very close to my son and she is retiring next year. She has moved up her retirement specifically to take care of my son on a more full-time basis. He has been in daycare/school since he was 8 weeks old... we just feel that as he gets older it is even MORE important that he has a loving family member available to him outside of school on a full-time basis. Since I can't be the one to stay home with him, I feel VERY fortunate that I have my mom around to help us out. She is an AWESOME Nana and a WONDERFUL mother - I love that we have her in our lives. She is second only to me in who I would want taking care of my son. Congratulations, OP, on being able to do this. I understand the hesitation but I think you'll find the benefits far outweigh any worries that you may have.

 

[crisi]

My mother has really been there for me and my kids as well, but as they've gotten older - and she's gotten older, they've gotten beyond her abilities as patience to keep up with. But I couldn't have gotten this far without Mom.

 

[nunzia]

Best of Luck Crisi! I kind of did the reverse..stayed with the kids when little and then went back to school etc when they were older. I don't know if I wished I did it differently, but all three of my kids went a bit off the rails in teen years and don't know if my being home with them would have changed that or not. Thankfully they all came back to normalish and have families and good jobs and happy lives. Still, I think it's a good thing to try and there is so much you can do to prevent boredom as well as be there for your kids.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Congratulations! Good luck.

I'm hoping to do something similiar next year when the kids are 13 and 15.

I work for my family business and wouldn't be able to stay at home until we sell the business but it's looking good. Crossing fingers and toes that it is heading there.

Until then, I wouldn't be able to even quit. It's tough right now because I feel my own family needs me more at home but I work insanely late hours, getting home after 8pm and some times 9pm. I hardly see my kids except on the weekends.


And even afterward, when i "retire," I will still have work (family interests) but will be able to work at home PT.

I'll be interested in following on how you are doing.

 

[eyor44]

Congrtulations on the decision! I am very happy for you. I am facing the same decision.
My job has changed so much that I hate it. Love the cowokers, hate the new building we moved into (I think I am allergic to it) and all the changes that have happened in the past couple of years. I have been offered a work from home position that won't be near the $$ but I think I would be way happier. Plus DH and DD would be happier and possibly I wouldn't be sick so much. Change is very hard though.

Congratulations again.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Sounds fantastic! I wish you all the best!

I too am single ~ I work 40 hours a week and am home a bit after 4pm *DS is awake before I leave for work* easy 10 minute commute. I could come in even earlier and be home shortly after 3pm, maybe someday *I'm not a morning person*

 

[FLCyndi]

Congrats, so jealous.

 

[MrsPete]

Good for you! I know you're a planner and a saver, so you've got the money concerns covered.

One warning concerning money: Even if you've taught your kids to expect and accept the word NO, teens are more expensive than you expect. Between activities, braces, car insurance and preparing-for-college expenses, it does add up to more than you expect.

I personally like having teens more than I liked having small children, and I do agree that it's good for them to have someone around when they come home from school -- especially if they're the type of kids who need someone to lean on them for homework.

One thing of which I'm sure: Whether you're at home or at work, the happiest people are those who CHOOSE to be whereever they are.

 

[FreeTime]

I am glad to hear that you are set to do this. I recently lost my job and we have decided that I will take on a part time no demanding job so that I can be there with our teenagers. When I looked at our budget, I originally thought no way! But in the first 6 weeks of being home I was surprised that we were to meet all of our obligations and then some, on my DH's salary. Which basically means that we were throwing away my salary in the past!

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

Just wanted to say, I think it's wonderful you are financially able to take a "Leave" or "Retire" for the time being...seems like it would be a good fit for your family. IMO if you don't need the $$ then it would be wise since teens do need that guidance. My step daughter is going to be 15 next month and she has always been a well behaved, straight A student and NEVER a problem.. an angel child really! Now at this age, she got caught with a boy in her bed (Making out but it could have led to more, and who knows if it hasn't in the past). Her mom works FT and SD is home alone for at least an hour every day. In the past SD has babysat her younger brother (Her mom had another child but not with the dad anymore) and basically like a 2nd mom to her brother. Anyhow sorry to go into so much detail, but I think it would have been ideal if her mom could be home after school, but realistically for them it doesn't work. You are lucky you can be there for your kids, especially during the teen years.

I have the best of both worlds (At least for me) in that I work part time. I think I would be very bored at home all day....I go stir crazy and now that the weather is nice I take walks w/ the kids frequently. But even if I had to go back to work FT I would find something where I got out at 3pm.... just could not trust the kids to be home alone and an after school program costs a lot of money around here.

Best of luck to you! Enjoy your time at home!

 

[bopper]

Another option is to have a part time job where you work when the kids are in school.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

God bless all of you. Enjoy.

 

[crisi]

Another option is to have a part time job where you work when the kids are in school.

For right now the part time job is getting the house in order. We have far too much stuff and someone needs to go through it all.

I think in a few years I will consult part time. I may not be home every day when the kids come home, but I won't have the commitment I'd have with being an employee. I used to consult and loved it.

 

[viaggiamo]

Congratulations! How exciting for you.

There is a great blog and forum that has very interesting ideas about early retirement which could be a good read for you. I am active on the forun there too.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Congratulations! How exciting for you.

There is a great blog and forum that has very interesting ideas about early retirement which could be a good read for you. I am active on the forun there too.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/

Thanks for posting the link! Love it! And I am now a follower.