Why wouldn’t this person just SAHM for a year or two?

[Anonymous]

If you had a kid under 3/4 (so not preschool age) and your spouse made a lot of money, why would you choose to work a low paid admin job that barely (or didn’t quite) cover the cost of your nanny instead of just staying home a couple years until your kid started PK?

I’m normally unphased by whatever work/childcare situation someone sets up (I work, ftr) but I don’t get this one. She doesn’t have a career to protect and her job is the sort you can find anytime. Is it just that some people don’t want or can’t handle that much time with a baby or toddler? It just seems odd.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there’s any job you can just automatically find any time and I respect that my admins have careers (I’m a lawyer so I mean my paralegals and legal assistants).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you had a kid under 3/4 (so not preschool age) and your spouse made a lot of money, why would you choose to work a low paid admin job that barely (or didn’t quite) cover the cost of your nanny instead of just staying home a couple years until your kid started PK?

I’m normally unphased by whatever work/childcare situation someone sets up (I work, ftr) but I don’t get this one. She doesn’t have a career to protect and her job is the sort you can find anytime. Is it just that some people don’t want or can’t handle that much time with a baby or toddler? It just seems odd.

Could be lots of reasons. Yes, some people don't want to spend all day with babies. Maybe she has PPD and being out in a workplace is better for her mental health. Maybe she just really likes her work environment. Maybe she sees a path to growth there that she'd lose if she left. Or maybe she doesn't feel secure in her marriage and knows she needs to stay in a job for her financial security.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there’s any job you can just automatically find any time and I respect that my admins have careers (I’m a lawyer so I mean my paralegals and legal assistants).

+1 admins have careers too, even if it's not up to your standards.

FWIW, my cousin was a lowly admin when she had her babies. She kept working even though it probably didn't bring in much more than childcare. Now she's the head of HR for a large company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there’s any job you can just automatically find any time and I respect that my admins have careers (I’m a lawyer so I mean my paralegals and legal assistants).

Yes, there are some low level clerical jobs you can find anytime, assuming you have the correct credentials and experience. Even after 2-3 years out if the workforce (I know people who have gotten these jobs after 10+ years out). It’s a very standard job for former SAHMs for this reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there’s any job you can just automatically find any time and I respect that my admins have careers (I’m a lawyer so I mean my paralegals and legal assistants).

Yes, there are some low level clerical jobs you can find anytime, assuming you have the correct credentials and experience. Even after 2-3 years out if the workforce (I know people who have gotten these jobs after 10+ years out). It’s a very standard job for former SAHMs for this reason.

Jobs that low tier don’t cover the nanny or even come close, post tax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there’s any job you can just automatically find any time and I respect that my admins have careers (I’m a lawyer so I mean my paralegals and legal assistants).

+1 admins have careers too, even if it's not up to your standards.

FWIW, my cousin was a lowly admin when she had her babies. She kept working even though it probably didn't bring in much more than childcare. Now she's the head of HR for a large company.

It’s not that kind of admin job. Think “front desk at a fitness studio” not an office admin or similar. It is a deadens job with little to know resume value, even for an administrative career.

[Anonymous]

My wife took about 3-1/2 years off for kids and it really wacked her career progress. She's working again but nowhere back to where she was.

Hats off to the many DCUMers who can jump back into the job market without missing a beat or easily downshift to a lower stress job making more than I'll ever see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there’s any job you can just automatically find any time and I respect that my admins have careers (I’m a lawyer so I mean my paralegals and legal assistants).

Yes, there are some low level clerical jobs you can find anytime, assuming you have the correct credentials and experience. Even after 2-3 years out if the workforce (I know people who have gotten these jobs after 10+ years out). It’s a very standard job for former SAHMs for this reason.

Jobs that low tier don’t cover the nanny or even come close, post tax.

OP here and exactly. And this is the kind of job we’re talking about. I don’t think this would be a great option for someone looking for a backup if their marriage didn’t work out either— it’s so low level that I think it could actually hurt her if she divorced and needed to support herself.

She has a graduate degree. I don’t understand.

[Anonymous]

I think it's problematic that you think admin people "don't have careers." It might not be up to your standards, but it's a career. How ridiculous.

Some people just have no interest in being a stay-at-home-mom. And that's ok. I do have a higher paying career, but even if I didn't...I'm almost certain that I'd still work. I enjoy having somewhere to be every day, interacting with my colleagues and being part of a team, having something that is for "me" outside of the home, feeling like I'm contributing financially to the partnership with my husband, knowing I have a cushion in terms of financial security...the list goes on and on.

[Anonymous]

I know someone like this who worked a low level job and spent her entire salary on daycare. And yes, it was because she couldn't stand being at home all day with her kids. Mental health issues were involved. I know her husband thought it was strange but accepted it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's problematic that you think admin people "don't have careers." It might not be up to your standards, but it's a career. How ridiculous.

Some people just have no interest in being a stay-at-home-mom. And that's ok. I do have a higher paying career, but even if I didn't...I'm almost certain that I'd still work. I enjoy having somewhere to be every day, interacting with my colleagues and being part of a team, having something that is for "me" outside of the home, feeling like I'm contributing financially to the partnership with my husband, knowing I have a cushion in terms of financial security...the list goes on and on.

OP here and I’m sorry if I gave this impression— I know many admins have careers. My own job/career could be considered admin as it’s back office, not client facing.

It’s just this particular person does not have a career oriented job. She had a career in another field, had a baby, and then took a very low paying clerical job at a retail-level organization and I’m confused as to why someone would do this.

[Anonymous]

I'd rather speak with other adults than be with children all the time.

And marriages end all the time. I love my husband and trust him but I don't trust anyone enough to give up my ability to keep a roof over my head.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she likes working? Maybe she enjoys being around her colleagues and clients? Maybe it's not all about the money? It's disgusting that you think the only reasons might be that she is stupid or can't handle being alone with her child.

[Anonymous]

The economy works when people work. She is working and her nanny is working, too.