SAHM, is it worth it to work part time at low wage job?

[DisneyPhD]

I have been at home for a while, and enjoy it. My kids are 6 and 3. I worked full time before having kids and then part time until I was pregnant with my 2nd when I was laid off.

A friend of mine just got a job a local fitness club where we are members. It makes her membership a lot less and she gets a small wage (close to minimum) with no need for child care (can bring the kids.) I was considering doing the same and then started thinking about it. It would be in child care, I have experience in it. It would be just a few hours a week and would be an "easy" thing for me to do. I would be way over qualified for it, but many people work part time jobs they are over qualified for to bring in a little extra money. The money would not be enough to bump us up to a higher tax bracket.

If I did work in my field of my degree there would be some start up costs and other expenses (child care, work clothes, etc...) I would make about 3 times as much as this other job. It would be more stressful, hard to find part time work and more competitive. It is not a do your job, and go home type of field. I do have experience and am qualified for a higher level job, but it isn't easy and even though it is a professional field, the pay isn't great for the amount of education and skill needed.. It can be hard to find good jobs in this field. Also if I worked 20 hours a week or more, it would bump us into a higher tax bracket.

I could change to another field I have experience in, but would need to pay to take a refresher college course and pay for an examination. It wouldn't be that stressful, but does take a lot of skill. It also would pay 3 times as much as the low wage job, but I could find part time work much easier. This is my plan in a few years when the girls are older. It is going cost money before I start making it though so I am thinking next year or the year after when my youngest is in K.

Then I started thinking about it and it comes down to this. Is it worth it work spend my time (and families time) in a low wage job? DH can pick up extra work and make a lot more in a lot less time then I can. With the low wage job he would make more in a hour as I would in an 8 hour day. That just seems wrong to even work for.

Then again, an extra $100 or $200 a week to go for Christmas and vacations is an extra money no mater what way you look at it. It is nothing to look down on. It would also be my money so I could spend it on myself and not feel guilty.

Do any other SAHMs have this issue? It just seems like a waste to work for so little, when DH would make so much in comparison. He is great about our family money being family money, I don't feel the need to earn income to contribute. I know I do as a mother.

I am qualified to go back to work full time if for some reason we didn't have his income. I don't want to at this time because the kids are still young (but getting older.) I will when they are older and in school full time.

Before there is any bashing, we are doing ok on our current one income. Extra money would help us get ahead, save more for the girls education and things like vacations, clothes and entertainment. Everyone can use a little extra cash after all.

 

[ilovejack02]

I just started back to work just to get out of the house, I dont make much, but its nice to have a little spending money of my own without taking it out of the budget. I am working at a children's boutique, tons of fun and I get a discount on the clothes.

Ya never know when ya see a new Coach bag ya might need.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I just started back to work just to get out of the house, I dont make much, but its nice to have a little spending money of my own without taking it out of the budget. I am working at a children's boutique, tons of fun and I get a discount on the clothes.

Ya never know when ya see a new Coach bag ya might need.

That is true. Actually I really want to get my legs laser (hair removal) , but can not justify the expense on myself. This would be at least enough for that.

The thing is it would be in child care, not so much of a break from my life already. I do have a lot of experience in it, part of me doesn't want to go back if you know what I mean.Still it would be something I feel confident in. I have no experience in retail at all. I wouldn't even know how to work a cc machine. I do know how to work them form the buyers side though.

 

[tjmw2727]

I am a CPA by trade and stayed home after my dd's were born. When my oldest started K and my youngest started preschool I picked up some low key bookeeping jobs and did some of them from home. It worked out great and once both dd's were in school I started picking up more clients here and there. I now average 20-30 hours during the school year (more during tax season) and very little during the summer. Its not as challenging as my accounting days but I don't have to do continuing education or live at the office from January to April and I am home when the kids get home from school. I make ok $ for part time, set my own hours and I like it! It funds my dd's skating and music lessons and our Disney trips and other extras.

If you find something you think you will be interested in why not give it a try? Lots of Mom's start 2nd careers or even businesses they never thought they would/could!

TJ

 

[DisneyPhD]

I am a CPA by trade and stayed home after my dd's were born. When my oldest started K and my youngest started preschool I picked up some low key bookeeping jobs and did some of them from home. It worked out great and once both dd's were in school I started picking up more clients here and there. I now average 20-30 hours during the school year (more during tax season) and very little during the summer. Its not as challenging as my accounting days but I don't have to do continuing education or live at the office from January to April and I am home when the kids get home from school. I make ok $ for part time, set my own hours and I like it! It funds my dd's skating and music lessons and our Disney trips and other extras.

If you find something you think you will be interested in why not give it a try? Lots of Mom's start 2nd careers or even businesses they never thought they would/could!

TJ

I completely understand you not wanting to go back to your pre-baby CPA job. That is really why I don't want to go back to my social work/ clinical therapist job. Just dealing with the insurance issues alone were enough to not make me want to return while the kids are young.

The difference is you said the money is ok. This would be around minimum wage and that seems like such a step back in time. I was making minimum age over half of my life ago. It was you made more each time you got a new job, not back to the beginning. The thing is not having to have other experiences, no child care and even the gym membership makes it more worthwhile. Just not sure if it is enough.

 

[Stephres]

I went to work at my local YMCA when my youngest was a toddler. I liked it because I got a discount but also got to talk to other adults, and not necessarily moms. They have a lot of young adults working there and it made me feel like one of them, if only for a few hours a day. They also really made me feel valued because I had more education and experience than most people at that position. The money I made I probably spent in programs for the kids and tennis lessons (at a discount!) but I really enjoyed the overall experience. I say go for it!

 

[LisaZoe]

I think it's more important to look at why you're going back to work than the work itself and the pay. If you want something that gets you out of the house, makes a little extra money and you don't "take home" at the end of the day, a lower paying job might be ideal. In general, as pay goes up so does the work load, expectations, stress, etc. Don't think of the pay as a step down from what you used to earn but more as a simple way to add to your family's income. If you're going back to work to earn money and start working toward a long-term career, than you'll need to consider that in your decision.

I'm currently a "work at home" mom and love what I do. The pay is a LOT less than I made at my previous job but the benefits of being at home with my DD more than outweighs the difference... usually. Since I'm a single parent, it's a struggle at times so I've been thinking about getting a part time job while DD is in kindergarten. I wouldn't want to have to pay for daycare for more than a few hours a week because I'd end up working to pay for daycare. I'd definitely look for something I thought I'd enjoy for the short term and not worry if it's not something I'd want to do as a career. KWIM? As much as I'd love to make big bucks, at this point I don't want to deal with all the BS that usually goes with the jobs that pay those wages.

 

[ldo]

If you think it would be sort of fun, and you don't have any childcare expenses and you think the kids would enjoy it too---why not!
It will probably be good for all of you--the kids get to go to a "kids club" and you get some adult interaction and make a few bucks--if it doesn't work out after a few months, you can tell them it's not working for your kids--it sounds kind of fun to me.

 

[TAKitty]

I am sort of in this soon to be situation someday. I currently have a good job and plan to leave when we hopefully (soon) have children. I often think about when I would return to work etc. My Dh can get overtime, and he makes a heck of a lot for one extra shift. What does your DH say about going back to work? Mine would rather work the extra 6-8 hours and have me just stay home.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think it's more important to look at why you're going back to work than the work itself and the pay. If you want something that gets you out of the house, makes a little extra money and you don't "take home" at the end of the day, a lower paying job might be ideal. In general, as pay goes up so does the work load, expectations, stress, etc. Don't think of the pay as a step down from what you used to earn but more as a simple way to add to your family's income. If you're going back to work to earn money and start working toward a long-term career, than you'll need to consider that in your decision.

I'm currently a "work at home" mom and love what I do. The pay is a LOT less than I made at my previous job but the benefits of being at home with my DD more than outweighs the difference... usually. Since I'm a single parent, it's a struggle at times so I've been thinking about getting a part time job while DD is in kindergarten. I wouldn't want to have to pay for daycare for more than a few hours a week because I'd end up working to pay for daycare. I'd definitely look for something I thought I'd enjoy for the short term and not worry if it's not something I'd want to do as a career. KWIM? As much as I'd love to make big bucks, at this point I don't want to deal with all the BS that usually goes with the jobs that pay those wages.

Bolding is mine. Your post makes a lot of sense, thank you. That is just why I don't want to go back to my old career (although it was never the big bucks, just at little more decent ones.)

I used to work in child care while in college and I felt I helped raise so many other peoples kids I really wanted to be there for my own. This would be a drop in center where the kids go for up to 2 hours a day. Often the same kids, but not the same thing as all day care.

I just need to get over the "I worked 8 hours for this and DH earned the same in 50 minutes" aspect of it. Still the money would be mine to do what I wanted with. MINE ALL MINE! That would be good.

Your DD is lovely by the way.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I am sort of in this soon to be situation someday. I currently have a good job and plan to leave when we hopefully (soon) have children. I often think about when I would return to work etc. My Dh can get overtime, and he makes a heck of a lot for one extra shift. What does your DH say about going back to work? Mine would rather work the extra 6-8 hours and have me just stay home.

That is what DH says too. Still he is supportive and says what ever I want to do is good with him. Just like a man.

I can see this running into problems with me. Lets just say I earn an extra $150 a week. Chances are I will end up spending an extra $200 a week. That is just like me.

I have thought about approaching places like the local gymbree and seeing if they wanted me to teach sign language at the classes. I know I could do that. Heck I would be a great gymboree teacher. Still I don't know if I want to do that so much when my own kids are young. Too much like my everyday life already. I could teach ASL for kids and families, (I have done this volunteer) but I think I would have to do my own foot work in setting up the classes, advertising, and all that. I just kind of want to do a show up, do my job and go home thing a few hours a week.

 

[thepeach80]

I work in the Y-care now at one of our YMCAs and I like it (most of the time, lol). I get to take my kids which is a big bonus and they get to play w/ other kids while there so it's like a playdate. I also get a free membership for me and 1/2 price for classes and sports etc which my kids would play anyways, so it saves us $. I make more than min wage though. Before kids I worked in the banking business so overqualified, yes, but perfect for the job I have, yes too.

 

[ilovejack02]

Bolding is mine. Your post makes a lot of sense, thank you. That is just why I don't want to go back to my old career (although it was never the big bucks, just at little more decent ones.)

I used to work in child care while in college and I felt I helped raise so many other peoples kids I really wanted to be there for my own. This would be a drop in center where the kids go for up to 2 hours a day. Often the same kids, but not the same thing as all day care.

I just need to get over the "I worked 8 hours for this and DH earned the same in 50 minutes" aspect of it. Still the money would be mine to do what I wanted with. MINE ALL MINE! That would be good.

Your DD is lovely by the way.

LOL i have the same issue.. my dh's take home for one day is what i bring home for the month ..no joke ! I am only working about 5 days a month,but will work quite a bit more the next cpl of months since the girl I work for is pregnant and due next week. Our main problem is DH works shift work so if he gets called out to work overtime he really cant say no because im at work, he would be passing up a TON of money just so i can make 7.00 an hour lol. I dont know what we will do if and when that happens, guess ill cross that bridge later. I will say it maybe only a little money but I love talking to other adults.

 

[DisneyPhD]

LOL i have the same issue.. my dh's take home for one day is what i bring home for the month ..no joke ! I am only working about 5 days a month,but will work quite a bit more the next cpl of months since the girl I work for is pregnant and due next week. Our main problem is DH works shift work so if he gets called out to work overtime he really cant say no because im at work, he would be passing up a TON of money just so i can make 7.00 an hour lol. I dont know what we will do if and when that happens, guess ill cross that bridge later. I will say it maybe only a little money but I love talking to other adults.

Yep, that is what it would be for me. DH has a situation where he might have to teach an extra lab, 4 credits. I would take me about 4 months to earn this extra money at the job I was talking about. TEACH THE EXTRA LAB. He says "but I want to go to the gym and work out then instead."

I told him I would do the "working out for both of us."

Still I might have too look into something. Either that or have another baby. (just joking, at least mostly.)

 

[mjantz]

I've worked at Mothers Day Outs for several years. The pay isn't great but I have great flexibility & my kids were right down the hall until they started public school. Many times you get a tuition break as well.

 

[Whosemom]

HAH! When you said this...

even though it is a professional field, the pay isn't great for the amount of education and skill needed.. It can be hard to find good jobs in this field.

I just knew this...

my social work/ clinical therapist job.

Bless you! I taught emotionally disturbed teens, and the only professionals on the planet making less than me for a VERY HARD JOB were you guys!

If the money is the whole point and you don't need it, a job like that would get old fast. But if you would be with another couple adults, and the place has a nice culture, I'd say go for it.

 

[Alesia]

2 years ago, my husband got his hours cut from 40 to 36. Either I had to get a part time job, or we had to cancel or Y membership. A friend suggested that I combine the two and get a job at the Y Child Watch. It has worked out really well. I get a free family membership and a discount on programs.

I am now the pre-k assistant in our preschool, which I love. I never expected to work in a preschool (I have an engineering degree,) but it has worked out so well. I'm home in time to pick up my daughter from school and I don't have to worry about summer daycare. I also love the kids!

The only thing I would caution you about is that other people will need to correct your child on occassion, even in your presence. If you can't handle that, then it's probably not the job for you. The only problems we've had with other employees is when they can't accept that their child can't be given special privileges.

 

[BevS97]

I'm in a similiar position - I used to work in IT and make 3x what I make now - but I was stressed, if I left at 6pm that was 'early', I could get called out in the middle of the night etc etc.

I left for a work at home job which didn't work out, and rather than go back to IT, I've taken a part time admin job - the pay is poor but I go home at 5 with no hassles or responsibilities, and I work just 3 days a week so get to be there for the kids after school etc.

I have to work at least some, my DH has a good job but we have always had 2 wages and we couldn't manage if I earned nothing but this is a good compromise for me.

 

[LadyShea]

Once upon a time DH was a marketing executive for a high tech telco (I still work for the same company as they allow me to work from home). When he got laid off, he went to work as a bartender as there were no similar jobs to be had at the time, companies were laying off left and right. Once he was in a low stress job he vowed never to go back to corporate.

He is now mostly a stay at home dad, but he works part time (early morning) at a golf course. He gets free golf, and gets out of the house doing something easy and enjoyable for a few hours a day to prevent him getting cabin fever. The extra money is nice, but we can live without it. What's better is the free golf...it's an expensive hobby here in a resort area, and we could easily be spending 200.00+/month for him to play just once a week.

Another SAHM friend of mine works part time at a ballroom dancing studio, mostly just to save on her classes there...which were expensive.

Working at a fitness center might make more financial sense with regards to what you save on your membership versus what you make. Also, would you enjoy having a bit of time doing something you like a few hours a week? It makes some people better parents to have some enjoyable adult time.

 

[dcforbreakfast]

I say go for it! You are really going to love the change of pace (who cares what it pays since you dont' "need" the money). This will be great for your child too because they can hang with other kids and learn how to deal with another authority figure other than you. Will give her some independence as well. I say definitely. You'll probably have a lot of fun and make some new friends. If you don't like it, just quit. Nothing to lose here.