Quitting my job to be a SAHM .... Advice?

[Anonymous]

I am making no judgement on your choice, and you must do what you feel is best -- but I urge you to read "The Feminine Mistake" and consider thoroughly all of the ramifications of your decision. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: You can admire each other's children and gossip about your husbands weird friends and habits.

Are you serious? That sounds even more tedious than a marathon play session with Thomas the train. Another reason why I ended up going back to work after a few years....this is the reality.

[Anonymous]

After the last two posts which I found rude, I just have to weigh in...as a full-time working mom, I say good for you, OP, and it sounds like you and your DH have good heads on your shoulders and things will work out fine. I wish I were in your shoes. I spent the day at work today thinking about my DD and then spoke to the nanny on the phone and heard about the fun they had today and I almost cried I was so jealous. So, the point is, if you desire to be with your children and be the main one to raise them and teach them about the world, you won't regret it. All jobs have their downside...nothing in life is perfect...but IMHO no job is more important or rewarding than caring for your own children full-time. Good for you...I wish you the best.

[Anonymous]

Best of luck, OP! I am thinking of doing the same and would love to hear an update on how the transition was...I agree with the PP...hearing about all the fun and developments I've missed while staring at a computer screen at work is devastating

[Anonymous]

Man, there are some ANGRY women on DCUM. I thought I was bad. This woman was asking for advice b/c she was going to SAHM and some of you are trying to talk her out of it and others are telling you how lame it is. She's made her decision and you harpies are trying to make her feel badly about it?

Here's an alternate view: I quit a high-stress job in politics to become a SAHM. My kids are 3 and 5 and it's been the best thing I've ever done. I never wanted to stay home, thought it would be boring and tedious. It is ANYTHING but that. Fortunately, we live fairly well, without budgeting ourselves to death or scrimping.

In my opinion, the best thing you can do is approach it like a job and network: meet other moms, get involved in a playgroup and most importantly, find a few good babysitters. I have an older woman in our community who will watch my kids when I need to get out and get my hair cut or run errands and I have mom friends that I trade off with too. My kids are involved in everything -- half-day camps, sports, preschool -- and they do wonderfully.

I do know some stay-at-home moms who take SAHM too literally and never leave the house, whether it's for financial reasons or what, their kids aren't very adaptable and seem clingy (to me anyway). We rarely stay home -- I think it's boring -- and we like to take road trips. I will load them into the car and hit the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore (surprisingly good for kids) or Butlers Orchard to pick fruit. We've hit the Reston Zoo, the Catoctin Zoo (out by Camp David).

Don't listen to the naysayers -- it's a few short years out of your life and your career. Enjoy them. I will be going back to work but I am having a lot of fun with my kids right now. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here...thank you for ALL the advices. I read all of them with an open mind. I know the SAHM situation is not for everyone so it's good to hear the good things as well as the bad things. The bad things have not convinced me to change my mind but made me aware of the things I should be prepared for. I know I will have good days and some REALLY bad days. I agree that I need to network with other SAHM and not stay at home all the time. I work in a corporate world that pays very well and I'm still not satisfied. I feel the most satisfying and rewarding job will be raising my kids and being a bigger part of their daily lives.

Please keep the advices coming. I hope this topic will help other moms as well.