I like to work. There. I said it.
I like working on a project, seeing it to completion, getting big kudos and tackling the next one. I like putting this degree to use.
I love to write. If I didn’t write, I would die.
On the other hand, I do love my kids. Love ’em more than anything.
I know we could get by on just one income. We really could, even with this new mortgage. But I worry too much about the what ifs: What if something happens to my husband? He’s fired or disabled? How will I pay for retirement? What if some financial catastrophy occured? How would we dig ourselves out?
My mom was a stay-at-home mom for a number of years after she had my second sister. I don’t really remember that time, but from what my mom tells me, it was stressful. “Only be a stay-at-home mom if you can really afford it,” she said to me. “It’s no fun to be at home with the babies if you keep hearing bill collectors call all day.”
My parents experiences with money still stick with me. I need to make sure that my kids know that everything is okay, that Mommy and Daddy will take care of it, that nothing is going to happen on our watch. My parents did the best they could, but I know that is not the lifestyle for me.
I like having extra money around. No, I NEED to have extra money around. I like having money in savings, in checking, in stocks, in CDs, wherever I need to have money. Things happen all the time. The dishwasher breaks. The car breaks down. The kid has to go to the ER, with the accompanying $500 bill.
I know I can’t prepare for everything, and even with two incomes, something might creep up that we are unprepared for. But I like to think I’m doing the best I can for my kids. That’s all the counts.
Moms who work outside the home – why do you do it? The financial flexibility? The adult conversation? Stay at home moms – did you always know you would stay home with the kids? What’s your favorite part of the job?
as you know, i’m a sahm. it was totally UNPLANNED. when i was working, i had a 4 day work week, so the plan was that i’d return to work for 2 days a weeks then work from home the other 2. well, my daughter had a horrible reflux problem and i was not comfortable leaving her. but when she outgrew it, i realized that i loved being home with her. so we made the decision that i would stay home until she was of school age….well, along came twins. so after THEY are of school age, i’ll retun to work, but even then, i will be my own boss so that i will have complete autonomy over my schedule
oh, i forgot to answer your other question…lol. one of my fave parts of being home is being able to take our quiet time in the morning to have good breakfasts and chit-chat. also, we get to go a lot of places during the day and they’re not as crowded or stressful as on the weekends when everyone’s out.
@Mrs. W – Ah, man, how nice would THAT be? I’m working to get some type of schedule set up where I can do the work thing and the mommy thing all at once. We’ll see how that works out…
I’ll be able to answer these questions once academia is officially behind me and the work world in upon me. Being a mom who has an at-home routine already, I can say that I enjoy working outside the home for some of the reason you suggested, like, being around other adults, having my own money (I have a friend who couldn’t take summer classes because hubby said she couldn’t!), but I can definitely see the benefits of being a work-at-home mom.
Like you, we’ll see what happens.
I like the idea of working from home, but I love the idea of walking into an office as well. There are some things about the office setting that I do love. A combination of the two, to me, is good balance.
@Arlice – How do we get there, girl??? Please let me know! lol.