Question for all the SAHM's

[Beca]

I am a SAHM, and have been since my dd was 3.5 (she just turned 5). I have thought about this question (of what I will do) many times.

I KNOW I am not one to "sit quietly" and do nothing...I am way too political and environmental for that. Before I had my dd, I worked as a flight attendant, a Costume Designer, and actress (MANY years ago), a teacher, and I ran a children's theatre. I've thought about going back to one of those careers (NOT being a flight attendant). I've also thought about going back to school (getting a master's in Costume design), going to design school (home decorating), or even getting a degree in construction (they really need women in that field). Basically, just continuing my hobbies.

However, I feel I have a LONG time to decide. I know I definitely want to be around when dd is in middle school and high school (as long as her activities don't bankrupt us ). It's funny that I think so much about that now...I guess part of me is REALLY ready to get back out there. She'll go full-time next year, so we'll see how I do by myself all day.

Good luck with your decision....I hope you find something that makes you really happy!!!

 

[m&m's mom]

I've been a SAHM since DS5 was born. I'm not sure if/when I'll go back to work. DH makes enough money that every dollar I make would be taxed over 43% (28% federal tax + 7% state tax + 6.2% SSI tax + 1.45% medicare tax).

Add in the fact that I would have to find a job that allowed me to get the kids on the bus in the morning, get the kids off the bus in afternoon, and stay home with them when they're sick. Oh, and DH works lots of OT and does some business trips, so my job would probably need to have no business trips (which was part of my previous jobs).

And I'm not so sure that DH would be willing to pick up half of my current responsibilities if I went back to work full-time.

I'm not sure if my working full-time would be best for me and my family. I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude. In the meantime, I'm using what free time I have to volunteer at the grade school.

My Job! My Job!
I work from home part-time (for all except January). I can get the girls off to school, pick them up from school, be here if they got sick etc.
I get 5 weeks vacation, tons of benefits (employer match 401k, stock options
etc). I make over $75,000 a year and love it!
Now I have been working here for almost 16 years (since right after college) Aand have built up to this level.
Keep in mind that the Soc Sec will be paid back to you later (theroretically anyway) so it is not a total "out the door". And you have to also take into account benefits of the company to really compare.
Also, I have a wonderful DH that does at least his share and he also works out of the house so we are with the girls all day except for school.
It can be done!

 

[Beca]

My Job! My Job!
I work from home part-time (for all except January). I can get the girls off to school, pick them up from school, be here if they got sick etc.
I get 5 weeks vacation, tons of benefits (employer match 401k, stock options
etc). I make over $75,000 a year and love it!
Now I have been working here for almost 16 years (since right after college) Aand have built up to this level.
Keep in mind that the Soc Sec will be paid back to you later (theroretically anyway) so it is not a total "out the door". And you have to also take into account benefits of the company to really compare.
Also, I have a wonderful DH that does at least his share and he also works out of the house so we are with the girls all day except for school.
It can be done!

We're neighbors!!! I live in Highland Village

What is your job?

 

[m&m's mom]

We're neighbors!!! I live in Highland Village

What is your job?

OK, Silly I knew that. We met at the DIS meet at the La Hacienda Ranch, maybe a year or more ago. Have not seen you at one since. I don't think there is one scheduled now but probably will be one that surfaces before too long.

I am a mainframe programmer. Not the PC's but the huge ones that take up most of room that huge companies and universities use. I can link right in w/ my laptop at home and do all my programming. Love it - especially days like today when the weather is less than favorable.

 

[Beca]

OK, Silly I knew that. We met at the DIS meet at the La Hacienda Ranch, maybe a year or more ago. Have not seen you at one since. I don't think there is one scheduled now but probably will be one that surfaces before too long.

I am a mainframe programmer. Not the PC's but the huge ones that take up most of room that huge companies and universities use. I can link right in w/ my laptop at home and do all my programming. Love it - especially days like today when the weather is less than favorable.

Okay...I am a complete DORK!!!! I remember now....it just seems like that was so long ago!!!

That is really cool that a part time job pays so well....but, I definitely don't have your skill set....so much for that idea for me.

I would LOVE to go to another meet, but my dd ALWAYS seem to have something going on when the meet is scheduled. Maybe ONE day we will make it to another one....we thought you all were so sweet!!!

 

[hydster]

I went from being a full time SAHM to a full time wife/mother. I don't work. It would be stupid financially for us if I did as it would send us into the next tax bracket and well I don't want to give the government any more money than they already get from us.

I clean my house, volunteer in the younger grades at the school, Dis, chat with my friends, go to lunch with friends, think of new projects to have dh do when he's home and just hang out around here.

Do I get bored? Sometimes but usually I have something I can do. I've recently started coming up with color schemes for all the rooms in my house to re-paint them. I love being able to get my kids from school, help them with homework, get dinner going, get ready for dh to get home so we can go to the gym and just being here.

I always said I'd go back to work but financially for us it doesn't really make sense. We've socked tons of money into retirement accounts so that when we can do so we will be financially secure.

 

[JESW]

I have been a sahm since ds was born 12 years ago. (I also have a dd who will be 8 next week) I don't mind being home at all! My parents are now 81 & 86 so I have gone from having my kids home all day to spending more time with my parents - taking them shopping and to dr appts, etc. I also volunteer at dd's school and with her Brownie troop. The days go by VERY quickly. I also like to scrapbook and have been trying to get caught up with that. And we just had some work done in the house so I am getting things back together. I have also been doing a MAJOR purge of just about everything in this house and that has been a huge undertaking. Yard work/gardening also take up a chunk of time. There are other things I want to do and going back to a "real" job has never been on my list. I would like to be able to do something from home and maybe some day that will come to be.

I have been very fortunate that I have had the choice to stay home and it works for our family.

Jill

 

[lulu71]

I quit working when my DD was born in 2005. I really don't think I would enjoy going back to a 9-5 job and don't plan to unless I have to. I am just starting to do some freelance writing from home for my old employer which works out great for me. I also spend a fair amount of time volunteering, which I love. I keep fairly busy and I like it that way.