SAH with Older Kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I WAH. I often have to get them to activities by 4:45 or 5pm. They get home from school at 3.50pm.

They need to eat prior too. 90 min of sports.

Many early release days, school events, etc. it would be hard as hell if I WOH--not to mention weather closures.

If you can WAH, it's feasible. If not--Id need to drop part-time at a minimum.

It doesn't have to mean going straight to the bench!

Explore WAH or part-time options.

WAH has been a savior for me.

I WAH and feel extremely fortunate to have this set-up; makes life so much easier for after school activities. I have an ES school child, who swims a couple times a week during the winter and all summer, and I'm able to get to where he needs to be. Also makes school pick-up easier, and he can eat a snack before swim. I wish more companies would offer a WAH option, as you do have more time during the day to work because you're not commuting, and more time to spend with your family. My situation is an anomaly where I work, since I work for a large defense contractor so I'm very careful to not take advantage.

To the poster who thinks having school aged children and working FT is easy must have help and other resources. Having one child who is active is hard enough, I can't imagine working FT and having to manage multiple children's activities; something will fall through the cracks.

It's not that uncommon anymore. I have so many friends that WAH like me---various backgrounds---lawyers, IT, govt., human resources, etc.

Clearly the first poster in this thread need to leave her house more, there are tons of women with multiple kids who work outside of the home fulltime. Again it's not rocket science -- they hire a sitter/nanny, or use aftercare/camps or some combination thereof.

WHY so nasty?? HIGH schoolers don't need sitter/nanny or camps. Sometimes they need a parent around more. Get it??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Did you at first stay home with babies and then school aged kids a bit before going back to work? I can see how your perspective would lead you to feel that way, since it is such a shift from having them home all the time, to in school at least 7 hours a day. But if you are working full-time until your kids are in school, you may not see it the same way. Their personalities are so much more developed at this point, and you want to soak it up without always feeling rushed, you just want more of those interactions, and you become aware of how fast they are growing up. Some WOHM don't see the point of staying home at this juncture based on what the costs are financially and professionally, and some think those extra hours a day on average are worth more, even some with very high salaries.

Those extra hours are pretty much a fiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I WAH. I often have to get them to activities by 4:45 or 5pm. They get home from school at 3.50pm.

They need to eat prior too. 90 min of sports.

Many early release days, school events, etc. it would be hard as hell if I WOH--not to mention weather closures.

If you can WAH, it's feasible. If not--Id need to drop part-time at a minimum.

It doesn't have to mean going straight to the bench!

Explore WAH or part-time options.

WAH has been a savior for me.

I WAH and feel extremely fortunate to have this set-up; makes life so much easier for after school activities. I have an ES school child, who swims a couple times a week during the winter and all summer, and I'm able to get to where he needs to be. Also makes school pick-up easier, and he can eat a snack before swim. I wish more companies would offer a WAH option, as you do have more time during the day to work because you're not commuting, and more time to spend with your family. My situation is an anomaly where I work, since I work for a large defense contractor so I'm very careful to not take advantage.

To the poster who thinks having school aged children and working FT is easy must have help and other resources. Having one child who is active is hard enough, I can't imagine working FT and having to manage multiple children's activities; something will fall through the cracks.

It's not that uncommon anymore. I have so many friends that WAH like me---various backgrounds---lawyers, IT, govt., human resources, etc.

Clearly the first poster in this thread need to leave her house more, there are tons of women with multiple kids who work outside of the home fulltime. Again it's not rocket science -- they hire a sitter/nanny, or use aftercare/camps or some combination thereof.

WHY so nasty?? HIGH schoolers don't need sitter/nanny or camps. Sometimes they need a parent around more. Get it??

How exactly do you accomplish that, follow them to school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe these women simply want a less stressed life and more time with their children? What's wrong with that? There's an op Ed in the NYT about this today called How to Fix feminism. And it starts with women like all of us in this thread, whether we work for pay or not, refusing to devalue the work that caregivers do. If you're in here bashing SAHMs, then you're part of the problem and should be booted out of the feminist movement. You don't support other women despite what lies you might tell yourself.

Signed, working mom

There has been very little bashing SAHs here, all people have been saying is that there is little time actually gained with kids by staying home once they are in school all day. Not working because you don't like your job, or because you want a less stressful life are entirely different reasons to sah.

not sure what thread you read but I saw a lot of bashing as per usual. I'm not going to go back and quote it to you because reading this kind of nastiness puts me on edge but it's definitely there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

I can only speak for myself as the immediate past poster but I don't need to work for financial reasons, I missed having a career. The lifestyle you describe clearly works for you but is very atypical, as most dads With school age kids aren't retired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

I disagree. Your life sounds lovely minus the monthly plane ride (sounds awful) but not all of us want a life of leisure. I've worked hard for my career as has my spouse and we are committed to both family and career. My father retired a multimillionaire at 52 and chose to start a new company. Some people are driven to contribute and challenge themselves. Some people volunteer, true, you don't HAVE to have a career but not true that if given the chance all of us would give it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

Yes, and I bet you are closer to my mother's age than my age. Once I'm your age I'll be doing that too, but with grandkids. Your trade off is you will be probably too old to enjoy that phase in their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sorry, but sah with babies and toddlers is absolutely harder than sah with ES and older kids. Are you kidding? Sah with babies and toddlers are constant feeding/diaper changing/potty training/educating/dealing with tantrums/dealing with mess and spit up plus the groceries/laundry/cooking/errands with kids in tow! As a sah parent of an older kid you get the kids it the door (but they can dress themselves and brush their teeth and find their library book and maybe even make their lunch) and then you have hours of freedom! Then you pick them up and drive them to a class or sport where another teacher or coach is in charge of them.

I was a sah and now that my kids are in school I work and it is SO much easier now than it was when I was home with them as babies. Hands down.

You're missing the whole point. It may be easier on you now, but it's more important for kids in elementary school, middle school and high school to have their parents present than babies and toddlers. Your role as a parent becomes much more complex and important the older they get. I'm okay having a daycare teacher help potty train, not so okay having an au pair help navigate middle school homework and social problems. In addition, you can drop kids off at daycare and pick them up at the same place after 10 hours when they're babies and toddlers. Not so much when they're elementary, middle and high schoolers. That's when their schedule dictates yours.

this is so well said.

News flash -- homework help and helping with social problems need not happen before 5 p.m., most high schoolers aren't even home from school by then.

I know, right? I'm in Loudoun County and our middle school dismissal is at 330 and high school at 4pm. My kids for one are often staying late for clubs and sports. It's not like they are running home to hang on mommy's apron strings and eat their graham crackers and milk while asking my assistance to navigate their social lives.

When I was in high school, my friends would drive to buy weed after school. Some kids had parents who had the expensive weed. Ecstasy and acid were really cool in the 90's. Everyone was having sex. I lived in a very wealthy well regarded area.

Ok? So you were a loser.

Actually I went to a decent college and eventually went to Harvard for grad school. Met my husband there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

Yes, and I bet you are closer to my mother's age than my age. Once I'm your age I'll be doing that too, but with grandkids. Your trade off is you will be probably too old to enjoy that phase in their lives.

Why the nasty attitude? Their life sounds fabullous.

I decided to stay home after working for 15 years. DH earns a 7 figure income. I love to travel and also travel often with the kids. DH will do 4-5 trips with us per year. I am 38 yo and not your mother's age unless your mom was a teen mom.

I love our life and won't make any excuses for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Did you at first stay home with babies and then school aged kids a bit before going back to work? I can see how your perspective would lead you to feel that way, since it is such a shift from having them home all the time, to in school at least 7 hours a day. But if you are working full-time until your kids are in school, you may not see it the same way. Their personalities are so much more developed at this point, and you want to soak it up without always feeling rushed, you just want more of those interactions, and you become aware of how fast they are growing up. Some WOHM don't see the point of staying home at this juncture based on what the costs are financially and professionally, and some think those extra hours a day on average are worth more, even some with very high salaries.

Those extra hours are pretty much a fiction.

I quit my job when older child was in kindergarten. Those extra hours are not fiction. I meet kids at bus stop and take them to various activities and sports. Kids ride bikes and play outside before dinner. We go to the pool.

The year I quit my job, FCPS had like 15 snow days, 10 2 hour delays, , 5 early dismissals, at least 10 events during the middle of the school day (class parties, teacher conferences, award ceremony, musical, picnic, field day, etc). That does not include teacher work days and breaks.

Unless both parents have flex schedules, this is hard. Dh has a very demanding job with high income. I had a low six figure flexible job. I had a sitter, cook, housekeeper and lanscapers. Date night sitters are easy. Last minute sitters in the middle of the day not so much.

[Anonymous]

Not so great paying work from home jobs don't interest me. We don't need the money so why tie up your whole day so you can work in pajamas?

If you have a real full time job, you will not have much time with the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

Yes, and I bet you are closer to my mother's age than my age. Once I'm your age I'll be doing that too, but with grandkids. Your trade off is you will be probably too old to enjoy that phase in their lives.

Why the nasty attitude? Their life sounds fabullous.

I decided to stay home after working for 15 years. DH earns a 7 figure income. I love to travel and also travel often with the kids. DH will do 4-5 trips with us per year. I am 38 yo and not your mother's age unless your mom was a teen mom.

I love our life and won't make any excuses for it.

No one is asking you too. Spending three or four decades in retirement mode doesn't work for everyone, but if you found a lifestyle that works for your family, that's great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Did you at first stay home with babies and then school aged kids a bit before going back to work? I can see how your perspective would lead you to feel that way, since it is such a shift from having them home all the time, to in school at least 7 hours a day. But if you are working full-time until your kids are in school, you may not see it the same way. Their personalities are so much more developed at this point, and you want to soak it up without always feeling rushed, you just want more of those interactions, and you become aware of how fast they are growing up. Some WOHM don't see the point of staying home at this juncture based on what the costs are financially and professionally, and some think those extra hours a day on average are worth more, even some with very high salaries.

Those extra hours are pretty much a fiction.

I quit my job when older child was in kindergarten. Those extra hours are not fiction. I meet kids at bus stop and take them to various activities and sports. Kids ride bikes and play outside before dinner. We go to the pool.

The year I quit my job, FCPS had like 15 snow days, 10 2 hour delays, , 5 early dismissals, at least 10 events during the middle of the school day (class parties, teacher conferences, award ceremony, musical, picnic, field day, etc). That does not include teacher work days and breaks.

Unless both parents have flex schedules, this is hard. Dh has a very demanding job with high income. I had a low six figure flexible job. I had a sitter, cook, housekeeper and lanscapers. Date night sitters are easy. Last minute sitters in the middle of the day not so much.

I'm not going to belabor this point but yes, it is. I lived this life. Got kids from bus stop at 3:30 (10 minutes). Watched kids do homework for half an hour. Kids off to play with friend or to sports practice or to girl scouts (all of which require zero parental involvement beyond a drop off and pick up, if they can't walk there themselves). Dad comes home. Total extra amount of time I had with kids, maybe half an hour a day. If it makes you happy to have a less stressful life, that's great. But the more quality time with kids line really isn't true unless you were coming home at 8 every night.

If you are willing to pay the money, not hard to get a nanny that can cover days off from school in addition to after school. Or work from home a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people work bc they have to not because it gives their life meaning so it shouldn't be a surprise that your friends feel spending time with their kids is "living the dream".

+1

I make more money than my spouse, but neither one of us makes enough to support a family in this region - nothing but two full-time jobs would work for us and there hasn't been any money left over for nannies and au pairs.

I don't think it would have been better for my kids if I had been SAH - just different. I probably would have been terrible at it and I actually admire parents who can throw themselves into school volunteering, chauffeuring to 4:00 sports practices, cooking meals, spotless houses, maintaining strict bedtime routines, etc. I'm kind of glad to have an excuse for not being good at any of that stuff! (Yes, yes, I know most WOH moms somehow manage to do all that stuff and work full time but I am not one of those people).

Having done it, it was extremely boring to me, once my kids started school. It is really amazing to me that people yearn to stay at home with older kids, but if you work when your kids are small and come home for the second shift, I can see how some burn out.

Not the least boring for me. My DH is retired so we are now both at home with our rising 4th grader. During the school day, we are free to do whatever we like, golf, tennis, hiking, working out, dine out, shop, movies, volunteer, etc. Our kid has a lot of activities during the week as well as a weekend activity that we travel all over the country for, usually at least one plane trip a month, while the other 2-3 weekends are local. Doubtful most people would choose to work if they did not have to earn a living. It is much more fun to stay at home with an older kid that's for sure!

You do realize your situation is very unusual, right? Most people with elementary aged kids are not retired. And your child who is not even in fourth grade yet participates in an activity that has him traveling all over the country every weekend?! That would be hellish to me, but I'm glad it works for you. Your life sounds pretty leisurely, but you must understand that most people with kids the age of yours are much younger and in the prime of their careers.