Hi fellow mums,
I was just wondering if there are any mums out there who are planning to NOT go back to work when your youngest starts school? I am a mum of 4, my husband works full time as a teacher, and although we don't have a lot of money, we are more than doing ok... we manage all bills, mortgage, savings and a small amount of "fun" money.. But I still struggle with the idea that I won't be working.. I feel like I may not be setting a good example to my kids.. but it works so much better for our family if I stay home to take care of the house,Kids/after school sports..
Is anyone else in this same position? Anymore ideas to remain financially stable?
Thank you all so much
NOT returning to work
NOT returning to work
Posted in:
Relationships & Marriage, Kids, Money
12 Replies
Personally this day in age I would never completely quit work and rely on a man to do right by me. You never know what can happen in the future. Divorce, death, lack of employment from your partner. I think maintaining SOME form of income is important and a great example to your kids especially if you have girls. There are options out there to find work that enable you to still be able to pick up your kids and take them to their activities or you could even just work 1 day a week? Even a short weekend shift at safeway? That's just my opinion. Xx
I did this, and now with my only child in high school I cannot get back into the workforce after 13 years out. I don't have a degree but have retrained in a number of different areas but it hasn't helped me. After 4 years of job searching I have given up. At 48 I now feel that I may not work again. High unemployment does not favour SAHM's at all. If I had my time again I would of gone back to work when he started school (2009).
I agree with everyone else. You should just go back one day a week even. If that's possible. To stay in the workforce. Because if you HAVE to work one day and you haven't worked in 20 years you're going to be in BIG trouble.
I've done both sides. Working as a mum with kids school ages and still at home. My only advice is to do what is right for you! Don't listen to what other think or feel you should be doing. Would your husband like the extra income coming in. Would you like the extra income coming in?? Do you feel you could cope with the extra demands on you. Ie do you and your husband share the work load at home ie cleaning, yard, kids etc if not you will need to look for a job where you only work in the school hours so you can do the extra curricular activities. If not you need to talk about it with him and figure out if you can come to an agreement or a roster that will work for the two of you. If you don't want the extra pressure find an interest in things, study and keep yourself up to date with computers etc get yourself a trade masseuse, nail technician something you can have a home studio for or be mobile and go to them. You and your husband need to talk about this and figure out if it's going to work for the two of you and your family.
Honestly for me going back to work is about protecting your future. Divorce is a reality, horrible things happen to husbands which means they no longer can support the family. There is no widows pension, and parenting payment single cuts out when your youngest turns 8.
Getting back into the work force after years out of it is really, really hard. I'd either be taking the opportunity to study part or full time or working part time.
I wouldnt not work but theres no way id work at a supermarket if i didnt have to.
Study, do a course, do a hobby that you can sell from home or collect experience and equipment. Use the time for personal development and get to a place where you work doing what you want.
My husband and i have discussed this in length, and luckily i have qualifications that allow me to work from home. But I'm also willing to study more to increase my chances of being able to reenter the work force.
Having kids had actually made me have to take a whole New career path! (Worked on cattle stations etc and breaking in horses)
I think maybe just find some courses to do that will help in the long run
I work for myself at home. I've been trying to gain employment as I'm sick of being home (can't imagine how bored you'd be not even working from home. I get bored and I'm busy). Anyway, I can't get a job either as I've spent a decade running my own very successful business. I have soo much experience but because I've never worked for anyone and don't have references for the last decade, apparently I'm unemployable.
I'd work one or two days. For your own frame of mind if nothing else. You will go mental trapped in a house all day with Noone there.
I don't plan on going back to work either. My youngest is only 1yr and my oldest 7 (4 kids total) We're in a pretty good position financially (we are hoping to have our house paid off in a few years).
I like the idea of being able to help at school in the classroom, swimming lessons, weekend sports ect. I see so many working parents at school and the kids get really sad when their parents can't help. I understand tho that many ppl don't really have a choice. My working background is admin and we hav our own business so I could always go and work there if I wanted.
My mum was a sahm, still doesn't work. Some of my sisters work after kids some don't, so I don't think she set a bad example as you have to do what you've gotta do. If u need money u have to work.
Hubby has mentioned me going back to work when the kids are older and my response is "But I won't have any time for my coffee dates" hahahaha. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
My sil got a job at the school after doing a teacher aid course, she had been out of the work force for 12yrs and only had food service background. So it is possible.
I've heard so many mums breaking down because they can't get back into the workforce after having several year + off work to raise their families. I on the other hand had to go back to work full time very early on (I had no choice, due to no fault of my own), my son misses out on everything, the extra curricular activities, he can't play sports as the training sessions are during the week and I can't take him, and you can't play the weekend games if you don't go to training, and everyone I know works and can't help me out. My suggestion would be to get a part time job, something that will keep your foot in the door, while still allowing you time for your family, you obviously don't need the money, so take you time and find something that will work for you.
I've heard so many mums breaking down because they can't get back into the workforce after having several year + off work to raise their families. I on the other hand had to go back to work full time very early on (I had no choice, due to no fault of my own), my son misses out on everything, the extra curricular activities, he can't play sports as the training sessions are during the week and I can't take him, and you can't play the weekend games if you don't go to training, and everyone I know works and can't help me out. My suggestion would be to get a part time job, something that will keep your foot in the door, while still allowing you time for your family, you obviously don't need the money, so take you time and find something that will work for you.
No I think if you can afford to go for it. Your children aren't going to see a lazy Mum who slobs around not contributing they will see a great Mother who works hard to have meals and lunches ready a Mum who can take them to sports and cleans all there uniforms. But most importantly they will probably see a happy Mum ! Because you have time to do all this stuff for them. Not a rushed Mum that gets home from work and is shitty that dinners and cleaning need doing ! Do what is going make your house hold run the smoothest! You may find in a few years you want to go back pt but until then stay home Mumma !