So what does everyone think about working Mums?

[indy and lara]

I am very proud to mother Isla 100% of the time. This is my job and I feel more empowered as a woman doing this than I have done at any point in my life so far. I have never considered leaving my daughter in the care of someone else and don't expect to do so for some considerable time yet. (She's 10 months now). I have had successful careers in business spanning 20 years prior to Isla's birth, and its only now that am I doing something that I feel is worthwhile. For me, mothering is a way of life. I certainly don't feel any need to work outside of the home to give myself an identity. If we have another baby, I will mother him/her 100% of the time as well.

I can relate to this. In many ways I feel that staying at home with Emma I have found the career I am best suited to.

 

[Marzipan_girl]

Is it just me who doesn't think being a SAHM is a "career?"

 

[louandivy]

Is it just me who doesn't think being a SAHM is a "career?"

I don't think it is either, particularly if you only have one kid! I'm sorry, my mum is a nurse and her job is WAY more demanding than me getting up to a giggling baby and just pottering around town babbling with her all day (and my baby is a TERRIBLE sleeper). I think its a bad way to think actually, when I'm stressed I just remind myself that being a mother of one isn't rocket science and I usually feel better.

 

[Sarahkka]

I've done both working mum and SAH mum and enjoyed both.
I have not made my mind up yet about returning to work full-time. Childcare for two kids means that I will basically be working for daycare dollars, so part of me is asking what's the point in that. I also love the work I do, and I will miss it if I don't return. Both my firstborn and I really flourished when I went back to my job and he went into dayhome. He loved it, I loved it - it was great!
So at the moment, I am looking for a way to have the best of both worlds:
I think that I could probably freelance in my field, working around my husband's shift schedule - that would bring in more money than me returning to work and would keep me fulfilled professionally and still able to enjoy my babies.

 

[indy and lara]

I have had a successful other career for many, many years. For me what I am doing now is more rewarding. I know I have made a huge difference to the lives of many people I have worked with but being able to make that difference with my daughter is the best thing I have ever done. I don't think it is a bad way to think and I never claimed it was rocket science. My career for now is looking after Emma and supporting my husband. That is more valuable than anything I have done before. It might not be your ideal but it is mine.

 

[bky]

Maybe it's not correct to call being a SAHM a career, but maybe a calling? I know what people mean when they say that, though it isn't for me. I know I wouldn't be happy being a SAHM. But if you are and you can be then good for you? Everyone ought to be happy.

 

[polo_princess]

Hmm i too dont think being a SAHM could be classed as a career, a career to me is making a living from something that you have extensivley trained and worked for, but then thats all down to personal interpretation of the word "career".

Its funny how peoples opinions are formed and just how much their childhood influences them, interesting stuff!! I wonder how many people are a SAHM and had a SAHM and how many Working Mums had Working Mums iykiwm?

 

[Laughing Girl]

Mothering our future generation of adults is surely one of the most important jobs that there can possibly be. I am astonished that there are women out there who are seemingly belittling Mothers who choose to invest all their energies in this most worthy of tasks.

 

[polo_princess]

Not sure how an opposing opinion equates to belittling ... Ive not seen it on this thread, but then that works both ways doesnt it

 

[louandivy]

Mothering our future generation of adults is surely one of the most important jobs that there can possibly be. I am astonished that there are women out there who are seemingly belittling Mothers who choose to invest all their energies in this most worthy of tasks.

I am not belittling stay at home mothers, I don't know why you have to get personally offended. I personally am glad that not all women think the same way as you though, as if every mother thought this way we would be living in the 1950's again! I intend to pursue my career when my LO is in nursery, as living my life as just a mother would be very unfulfilling for me.

 

[I_AM_LIVID]

You guys are lucky you get months and months of maternity leave. We are only entitled to three months, and that normally means one month before baby is here and two months after baby is born. I returned to work when babies were exactly two months. Of course I would have liked at least...AT LEAST... 6 months with them, but I had to work.

That said, however, as much as I love my babies to death, I could never be a SAHM. I could do it for a year as I believe it is the most pivotal period in a baby’s life, but after that I would be anxious to get back to my other passion. I love my career. It brings in a great income and allows us to provide only the best for our babies, as they are our top priority. We travel to new countries twice a year and our babies will get the opportunity to see the world. Learn things first hand. Although OH makes more money than I do, the truth is we wouldn't travel as much on his salary alone. Besides, I have very flexible hours too, so I feel like I'm working part time anyway and get to enjoy both worlds. I am blessed that I can work as I know so many other can't and not by choice.

And like others, I also don't think being a SAHM is a career. Far from it actually.

 

[Seity]

My mother was a SAHM and I'm a full time career woman
I personally felt it was important to have a family member involved in raising our child during the early years. That is why my OH is a SAHD and we waited until we could afford for him to stay home.
I don't think it matters if it's the mom, the dad, or a grandparent. I don't see any reason why it should specifically be the mom. Situations change, sometimes birth control fails, etc, so that's not always an option for everyone in which case we all do our best.
Now that Gabriel is one, I think it would be a good thing for my OH to look for part time work and I would feel the same if our roles were reversed.

 

[kirmal12]

I had a great time with my SAHM, home cooked meals every night. Someone to help with my homework. Holidays EVERY school holiday because she didn't work, loads of time at the park etc. Most of the friends i had who had Mums that worked was jealous of me and my family. I finished my career, i got to the top of my career a few years ago. I'm now starting on a new one, enjoying every second of my time with my baby.

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

I am very proud to mother Isla 100% of the time. This is my job and I feel more empowered as a woman doing this than I have done at any point in my life so far. I have never considered leaving my daughter in the care of someone else and don't expect to do so for some considerable time yet. (She's 10 months now). I have had successful careers in business spanning 20 years prior to Isla's birth, and its only now that am I doing something that I feel is worthwhile. For me, mothering is a way of life. I certainly don't feel any need to work outside of the home to give myself an identity. If we have another baby, I will mother him/her 100% of the time as well.

It's lovely that you feel that way but to be fair not all women can afford to stay at home and you're right mothering is a way of life, for a woman it should be one of the most natural things possible..But IMO saying you're a mother "100% of the time" seems a bit of a dig to those who aren't SAHM's

Correct me if I'm wrong though

 

[lozzy21]

Being a Sahm isent a career. A career is paid work that you need to train for and offers promotions. Apart from having another child how can you be premiers being a Sahm. Anyway I'd never heard the term Sahm till joining this forum, the official term is housewife.

 

[polo_princess]

My mum was a SAHM but she was also a single mum too, and 20 odd years ago it wasnt quite as easy as it is today. Infact growing up, none of my friends mothers worked!!

 

[Seity]

Being a Sahm isent a career. A career is paid work that you need to train for and offers promotions. Apart from having another child how can you be premiers being a Sahm. Anyway I'd never heard the term Sahm till joining this forum, the official term is housewife.

My mother used the term homemaker. I always liked that. My OH is a homemaker for us.

 

[kirmal12]

I am very proud to mother Isla 100% of the time. This is my job and I feel more empowered as a woman doing this than I have done at any point in my life so far. I have never considered leaving my daughter in the care of someone else and don't expect to do so for some considerable time yet. (She's 10 months now). I have had successful careers in business spanning 20 years prior to Isla's birth, and its only now that am I doing something that I feel is worthwhile. For me, mothering is a way of life. I certainly don't feel any need to work outside of the home to give myself an identity. If we have another baby, I will mother him/her 100% of the time as well.

It's lovely that you feel that way but to be fair not all women can afford to stay at home and you're right mothering is a way of life, for a woman it should be one of the most natural things possible..But IMO saying you're a mother "100% of the time" seems a bit of a dig to those who aren't SAHM's

Correct me if I'm wrong though

But if your LO is in nursery/childcare 40 odd hours a week you can't be a mum 100% of the time

 

[jogami]

You guys are lucky you get months and months of maternity leave. We are only entitled to three months, and that normally means one month before baby is here and two months after baby is born. I returned to work when babies were exactly two months. Of course I would have liked at least...AT LEAST... 6 months with them, but I had to work.

That said, however, as much as I love my babies to death, I could never be a SAHM. I could do it for a year as I believe it is the most pivotal period in a baby’s life, but after that I would be anxious to get back to my other passion. I love my career. It brings in a great income and allows us to provide only the best for our babies, as they are our top priority. We travel to new countries twice a year and our babies will get the opportunity to see the world. Learn things first hand. Although OH makes more money than I do, the truth is we wouldn't travel as much on his salary alone. Besides, I have very flexible hours too, so I feel like I'm working part time anyway and get to enjoy both worlds. I am blessed that I can work as I know so many other can't and not by choice.

And like others, I also don't think being a SAHM is a career. Far from it actually.

Yip I too read these threads and think "how do they do it?" In the UK and abroad it seems like you get ALOT of maternity leave! I'm in South Africa too, and I only got 3 months (by force!) Employees are not entitled to pay us for our leave and by law we're entitled to 4 months or 16 weeks. My boss paid me but I worked from home and went into the office at least twice a month (for month end). It broke my heart to return to work but we simply cannot afford to just live on OH's salary just yet. And although I'm paying a fortune for the day mom, she loves my child and he seems happy. I do feel pangs of guilt, but he will understand that mommy worked for his future and wellbeing. BUT>>>>>> if I could be SAHM I would! x

 

[Celesse]

I think we all do what we have to for our children, be that returning to work to provide a certain level of income, staying at home financially supported by a partner or staying at home and claiming benefits. What works for one family doesn't always work for another family.

I have returned to work after #1 as the slight income difference is worth it, especially when taking into account my plans to concieve again shortly. I won't be returning to work after #2 but I have a few plans of how I can generate soem additional income as a WAHM.