SAHMs- just curious...

[disneylizzy]

I left my paying job in 1985 when my premie DS was born. I went back to work in August 2000, as my youngest DS was starting 2nd grade. So, home for 15 years and I consider myself damn lucky to have been able to do it. It wasn't easy and that's the reason we were never able to go to WDW until 2002, but soooo worth it. When I started back to work I worked four years part time 30 hours a week during school hours only. I'm full time now.

I graduated from Boston University with a degree in Business/Marketing. Yes, I used my degree after I graduated and I use it now in my current job, however, education is never, ever wasted.

DD is at College of the Holy Cross as a sophomore. I definitely encouraged her to go to college, but when she gets married and has babies, I hope that she is able to stay home with them, too. If she never "earns back her tuition", I wouldn't consider the money wasted.

As a matter of fact, I take offense at that question.

 

[zalansky]

I am not a long time SAHM - BUT I will be giving my two weeks notice in 2 days after working full time since I was 22 years old (I am now 37 ) and I will officially be a SAHM too! Reading over all your posts has given me lots of encouragement!

 

[njcarita]

A few questions (No flames meant at SAHMs)

1) Once your youngest is in college, will you continue to be a SAHWife or join the work force?

2) For the SAHMs who had a job before, were they jobs that needed a college education or just a job to get a paycheck?

3) If you have a college degree and became a SAHM did you think it was a waste to get the college degree? Did you earn enough to get back the money you paid in tuition?

4) Will you encourage your daughters to go to college?

5) Did you ever consider working and making you DH be a SAHD?

1) Once your youngest is in college, will you continue to be a SAHWife or join the work force?

I hope not-- i'll be 55

2) For the SAHMs who had a job before, were they jobs that needed a college education or just a job to get a paycheck?

I was a research biologist
3) If you have a college degree and became a SAHM did you think it was a waste to get the college degree?

nope-- it made me the mom i am today

Did you earn enough to get back the money you paid in tuition?

yep i was made twice as much as my husband did unitl i quit my job 10 years ago--- my college back then only cost about 2000/year


4) Will you encourage your daughters to go to college?

yep -- my sons and daughter

5) Did you ever consider working and making you DH be a SAHD?

husband stayed home when my son was 5 months till almost 1---
he is a great hands on dad--- but he felt the need to work---
I on the other hand cried eveyday I was a working mother

 

[DisneyPhD]

SAHM for 2 years now this Thanksgiving. I worked part time (20 hours a week) when my 1st was born (the same job I had before, just split the postion with a coworker.) I loved my job, (I was a social worker/ clinicial therapist at an out patient mental health clinic.) but I alway wanted to be at home. I just had too good a job (at least for me) to quit.

Well when my department whent under I decieded it was time to stay home. The next week I found out I was pregnant. The good news is I got severnce pay and unemployment.

I really enjoy being home.

I plan to go back (part time) in some messaure. Not sure when. I think I want to brush up on my ASL (American Sign Lanuage) and interpet for a few community college classes a week. Short hours, no paper work and decent pay.

I have a friend trying to get me to job share with her this next fall. Not sure if I am ready for that. My youngest will be 2 years old.

I really enjoy this time with my children. I worked in preschools and child cares in college and after. I "raised" many other peoples children and am happy to be with mine now.

For me my job was very stressful and demanding. As much as I loved it I don't have enough of me to go around right now. I also enjoy not having to juggle work and home. That can be a hard one to manage, even part time.

 

[debloco]

OK, I'm bored and passing the time before I get ready to go out later, and I got to wondering if there are many SAHMs out there who've been doing it as long as I have?

I quit my last paid job a month before my oldest son was born- that was July 1989, almost 16.5 years ago! I haven't earned a paycheck since (I did pick up some minor freelance work but nothing regular at all.) I've got three boys now, the youngest is 7.

Any other long-term SAHMs out there?


(and save the flames, I've heard it all and really don't care...)

Close to as long as you! Since October 1989.

Although I did go back to college to finish my degree a few years ago.

1. When DD goes to college in a year and a half, I'd love to go to grad school. But with her looking at some pretty expensive schools that may not work out for me. Otherwise, I'll work.

2. Jobs for a paycheck.

3. I finished my degree while I was a SAHM, and no...I never feel that a college education is a waste, even if I never make a dime back in the tuition I paid.

4. You bet. She's looking at colleges now.

5. I gladly would have had DH be a SAHD if that was feasible.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok, I will take a stab at the questions. SOme were answered in my 1st post.

Once your youngest is in college, will you continue to be a SAHWife or join the work force?

Most likely before then, but more then likely part time.

2) For the SAHMs who had a job before, were they jobs that needed a college education or just a job to get a paycheck?
I have a masters degree in social work and 2 undergrad degrees, social work and Sign Lanuage Studies. (ASL)

3) If you have a college degree and became a SAHM did you think it was a waste to get the college degree?

It is part of who I am. I am proud of it, even if I do not earn a paycheck from it. I will always be a social worker and therapist in my heart.

Did you earn enough to get back the money you paid in tuition?

My father paid for my undergrad degrees. I didn't make much $ with those. My grad degree was half paid for because my DH worked as a TA for the college while he got his PhD. It only cost me around $5,000. I was able to earn over double after reciving it from my baclors degree.

4) Will you encourage your daughters to go to college?

Yes, we are saving for it. Ultimatly it is their choice, but it is go to school or pay your keep around here. Once you are done all your college money left over is yours. If you don't go, the money might be mine (depending on what she decieded to do with her life.) As much as I value education college is not the only road for every person. Some kind of post HS training is good though.

5) Did you ever consider working and making you DH be a SAHD?

DH teaches college and he is home on Fridays. He used to wacth DD when I worked on Fridays and during the summer. He is very good with her, but he can't "get it all done" (wacth the children and do more then that.) It also gets to him after a while. He makes a lot more then a social worker can too.

 

[disykat]

I've been home for 13 years, though I have been doing a bit of substitute teaching for the last 4 1/2 - since my youngest hit school full time. I'd like to get a 1/2 time job and then maybe go full time when college bills are looming. I worked as a teacher before, but always knew I would stay home for 10 - 15 years. I could still easily get 25 years in even if I work 1/2 time a few years. I started teaching at 21, quit at 31. Even if I wait until I'm 50 to go back and work until 65, I'll have plenty of years in.

If I had daughters, I would of course encourage them to go to college. No degree is a "waste". I think SAHD is also an admirable choice and would do that if it worked best in our situation. I think the main thing is making time for family - whether that means someone needs to put their career on hold or not depends on the family. In my case, dh works a lot and me staying home made sense. I will encourage my boys to get degrees too - the fact that they may choose to put their careers on hold while raising their families has nothing to do with it.

I have "used my degree" more than either of my siblings who have worked full time their whole career.