Wanting to be a SAHM or not?

[Anonymous]

Oh, I forgot to add that we are in a mommy group (that I started bc I couldn’t find one in our area and now we have over 25 moms plus the little ones). We meet once (sometimes twice) a week and have mommy’s night out once a month. And we were in Kindermusik (music class) once a week from August 06 through this May. We are taking a break from classes this summer bc we’ll be out of town a lot but starting in August, we are doing a Mommy and Me Gymnastics class. Making sure I get out of the house with her scheduled 2 times a week is a lifesaver! And we go on 3 mile walks everyday which she hated at first but now loves! And we go to the Chick-lil-A indoor playground when its raining. (It has a cute toddler section.) Getting out of the house is SUPER important! We have had really bad smoke here from the Georgia/Florida wild fires so we can’t play outside or go on walks so this week has been a bit cabin feverish.

[Anonymous]

Tiffany,

I agree that it is a personal decision, and really there isn’t a wrong answer, only the one that works for you and your family.

Personally, I love staying at home with Brianna. It has been a huge sacrafice for our family becuase my husband also just started his own company and so some months are great and some months are 0’s, so we are pretty strict budgeters. But I wouldn’t trade my time with Brianna for the world. They are only this age once, I just didn’t want to miss it.

As far as keeping Brianna active with other children. We are in a gymnastics class and have her in swim lessons. But there are tons of other things I do that don’t cost money. I am in two mom’s groups, nad have playgroups with my friends often. Also, I still make sure I have ME time. I am in a bible study at my church, as well as an aerobics class that meets 2X/week(OK that does cost money but it is peanuts). This way Brianna does have sometime that she spends away from me playing with other children, and I have sometime to do things I enjoy.

As for hte house…well I don’t know about everyone else, but mine is still a mess, even though I stay at home. I told my husband I didn’t stay at home to keep our house clean, I stayed at home so that I could be there everyday in raising our daughter. Not to say that I don’t clean, its just not my focus.

You will make the right decision for you!

[Anonymous]

Emily, you have that described perfectly! Our house isn’t as perfect as I thought it would be with me staying at home…its not disgusting but its not spic and span either!

[Anonymous]

Emiily -Tracy: Yep! I just say we LIVE in our house!

[Anonymous]

Thanks again ladies. It is a big decision and I am still pondering daily… I think it is a good point to realize that I will be staying home to be with Seth not to have the cleanest house on the block because I can totally see myself getting frustrated about being home but not getting anything done.

Another good point is that I can always find another job if it doesn’t work out and probably one closer to home!

Also, thanks for all of the suggestions on how to cut back. We do have some savings and we’ll have some checking reserve since I am working now but I don’t want to have to depend on it. I am thinking of trying to set aside my salary (aside from work expenses like tuition, gas, etc) and see if we can do it. I have to admit we do live high on the hog and it is going to be an adjustment.

Christine, to answer your question, I have been thinking about and wanting to do this for a long time. DH is currently working a new contract job but they are hiring him on permanent in July (laid off last yr. after 15 yrs. with same company) so he is not eligible for benefits until then. So, I am stuck now since I carry the insurance.

I’ll keep you all posted!

Mom2Seth2007-6-1 10:33:5

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