Ladies: Would you work if you didn't HAVE to?

[DawnM]

This is NOT a debate about SAHMs vs. WOTH moms, it is just to question if you work if you didn't HAVE to?

Many women love their jobs and would continue working even if their husbands made enough to stay at home.

I am just curious of those of you who work, how many of you do work or would work even if you didn't HAVE to?

Dawn

 

[LoriMomx5]

I have the best of both worlds as I have a SAHD! I love my profession and my job was more secure with better beneifts and it has worked great for our family. At times I wish my husband and I could switch place but not as often as when he first started staying home with our kids. This is an option that is becoming more common as fathers are much more involved with raising their children. Lori

 

[james'mommy]

heck no. i'm lucky enough to be able to just work part time but it's been a long road to get that far. i work early mornings at starbucks so that i can be able to pick my son up when school gets out and run him to all his lessons and practices. i have no idea how we would be able to juggle all this if i still worked full time. not only that but my full time job was causing panic attacks and overall anxiety issues. we took a big hit when i went part time but DH just got promoted so things are looking a little better.

 

[Aliceacc]

If all 3 of my kids were old enough to be in school full time, my answer would be an unevivocable YES! I'm a HS math teacher and love what I do!!! Each day is a brand new challenge, different from all the others that have come before it.

Finances forced me back to work last year when my youngest was 3 (after 6 years at home.) It would have been great to hold out for those last 2 years... lots more time to dance every time a Motown song came on the radio, go puddle stomping in the rain, and just savor each minute of her early years.

Edited to add: I'm the "other" in your poll

 

[Safari Queen]

I would do volunteer work with children if I could afford it.

 

[ajk912]

I would work part time in a career that I loved over working full time or being a SAHM anyday. BUT, I have three kids- so daycare is extremely costly for parttime work, and just barely worth it for full time work.

 

[patsal]

We could survive off of my husband's salary, but I honestly love what I do (English teacher). I did take time off of work to be at home with my children, but I could not imagine not working. I spent a lot of time and money as well as effort going to school and would never want that to go to waste. I really have the best of both worlds since my DH leaves for work after I do--I have a 7am start, my kids have an 8 am start and DH has a 9am start. DH takes care of the kids from the time I leave until they get on the bus then he leaves for work. I get out at 2:30 and usually beat my DD's bus home! DS stays after with activites he is involved with at the HS so I pick him up about 4:15pm before I head home and get dinner started. DH gets home at 6:15.
I did opt to stay home with the kids until the youngest was 3, but once DS was in school all day she wanted to go to school too--I took a long term subbing position and put her in a half day pre school followed by the rest of the day in daycare. She loved it, I loved it and my position became full time permanent so I decided to keep it. While in elementary school my children didn't start school until 9am and got out at 2:30 so we did use daycare for half an hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon. For us it worked and I feel better knowing that my skills are current and we don't struggle to meet our bills.

 

[runwad]

I worked fulltime till baby #3 then went part time. Best of both worlds wouldn't change a thing. I love my work days and I love my stay at home days but don't think I could ever go back to doing either 5 days in a row

 

[DawnM]

I was part time when I left my last district. I am hoping to turn this job into part time at some point....but this district doesn't really offer part time....you have to work full time and create it if your principal agrees. So, for now, I am full time. It is going ok for the most part, but I feel like I really have no time to do much other than work and take care of the cleaning and cooking.

Dawn

I worked fulltime till baby #3 then went part time. Best of both worlds wouldn't change a thing. I love my work days and I love my stay at home days but don't think I could ever go back to doing either 5 days in a row

 

[bigbabyblues]

I work part time. I enjoy my job, and it's nice to get out of the house. DH is a paramedic and works 2 days a week; I work the other days, unless DH takes an extra shift or something.

 

[SereneOne]

I am a housewife and I DO WORK. I guess the better question would be, If you could not have to work outside the home, would you? When my daughter starts school I will be going to work. I am looking forward to it.

 

[blana]

I voted no, but there is a slight BUT to it. I keep thinking in the back of my head that it would be so cool to start a "----" business if I were able. The type keeps changing. Right now it's more in the toy store / kids bookstore. Sometimes it's a used bookstore or even a consginement shop/ And yet, I know that would take me away from DS even more than I am now, and that brings me back to reality. So no, I wouldn't work, BUT, I think I'd still be dreaming along those lines....

 

[mom2aredhead]

I am a housewife and I DO WORK. I guess the better question would be, If you could not have to work outside the home, would you?

Lets not start.

I also voted other. I work (outside the home) part time, love my schedule, and it works really well for our family. Unfortunately my office is relocating and I will be laid off in about 2 months, so I will be faced with the full time vs. part time vs. stay home question very soon.

 

[SereneOne]

Lets not start.

I also voted other. I work (outside the home) part time, love my schedule, and it works really well for our family. Unfortunately my office is relocating and I will be laid off in about 2 months, so I will be faced with the full time vs. part time vs. stay home question very soon.

I am not starting anything. I was making a statement that I DO work. You choose to take it elsewise that is your preogative, but do not accuse me of starting anything. I actually consider working outside the home less work in my experience.

 

[tonilea]

I work part time. I don't have to work now, but it will make us debt free much faster. I do enjoy my job, but I would rather be home.

 

[kacaju]

I do not have to work, and I don't. I have 3 kids. My oldest is 14, and I have been out of the work place for that long. At this time still having 2 kids that I need to be home for once school is out, work just doesn't fit into my schedule.
I could never make the amount of money my dh does, and I have no desire to get a job only to tell a boss... oops the kids have a half day today.. I need to go home early. Or the schools closed today because of the big snow storm that is coming (and we only get flurries) so I can't work today. I don't need that kind of stress. I don't want to work to put my kids in camp or daycare over the summer because I will not be home with them.
These are my choices, this is what works for me and my family.
That said.. if it ever came to a time where I HAD to work.. I would, but right now that is not the case.

 

[Mommy2Lots]

--

 

[sara74]

Yes I would and yes I do!

We don't need me to work, but I love my career (I'm a dentist), and love that I can practice in a great office and do it part time. I also love coloring and blowing bubbles and making PB&J's for lunch. I love showing my kids that Mommy's can be doctors too. And I love that I help my patients and they actually enjoy seeing me (well some of them do!) Best of both worlds to me!

And OP, I appreciate that you were trying to start a thread without starting the same old debate...too bad that some posters have to read into everything. Yes, it is work on the days I am home. Yes, it is work on the days I work. No one claimed that either is easy. And the OP didn't seem to be trying to knock what anyone does with their time. Serenity now...to quote a little Seinfeld.

 

[emma'smom]

Working full time and raising a family means that I have two full-time jobs (and no sleep...but I can sleep when I retire)!

 

[workinmomof2]

I would work. I need to have my brain stimulated. I am an accountant/auditor and I love it. I work with some great people. I can flex my time. I am also fortunate enough that my kids stay with relatives when not in their preschool programs. I didn't work as hard as I did to finish college to sit at home. I enjoy the challenges of my job. I also think it is best for my kids for numerous reasons.