If you spent 14 hours straight with your children every day would you be happy?
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Anonymous
It changes. Come back and report on your level of happiness from, say, age 20 months and 3 1/4. 
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Anonymous
You have to make your own fun time out of it and part of that is being very laid back and not anxious about everything. That said, It’s not for everyone and parenting is a real marathon so if you don’t love that part of it don’t be too hard on yourself there will be plenty of other opportunities for you to go all in. If you are a better mom working and come home to your kids energized and happy to be with them then that is worth way more than a sahm who is miserable at home all day with her kids. Good luck op. |
Anonymous
Care to share how it changes? I had a very difficult 0-6 month old (woke up 4-6 times a night, napped only when held and only for 30 mins, fussy a lot) so I’m hoping that I’ve been through the worst somehow |
Anonymous
Yeah all kids are different. The baby years were hardest for me. For DD things got sooo easy after age 10, and for DS they got easy after age 3. I always heard people say “it gets better!” and it did but it took a looooong time for it to get better. Fingers crossed you are past the hardest part! |
Anonymous
| If I didn’t have to work, sure. |
Anonymous
| I’d love it if I could still keep our nanny! I think SAHM with a great teacher type of nanny would be fantastic. |
Anonymous
Sure, that sounds lovely, but that's not the same as YOU spending 14 straight hours with little kids. OP. If your husband lost his job, then presumably he is home and should be taking on some childcare. |
Anonymous
| I tried it. And then I went running back to the working world. |
Anonymous
| I would but only if I didn’t have anything else to do but play and teach my kids. No housework, laundry, errands, or cooking. I love taking my kids places, doing art, reading, teaching, running around. I’d happily be a SAHM if it didn’t come with housewife-type chores. |
Anonymous
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That’s why I became a mother, OP. Because I like spending all day with my kids. I was not happy returning to work, and quit. They’re now 16 and 11 and I’ve enjoyed their childhood. I can’t believe we’re looking at colleges. But it’s fine if you don’t want to spend all with them yourself. It does not make you a bad parent! Do what you feel is right for your family. |
Anonymous
| I have this now with a 3 year old that never ever stops running or climbing, first trimester pregnant, and working full time outside those 14 hours to catch up. The only time I’m happy is when I’m asleep. |
Anonymous
| I would not be able to do it with a child younger than 4. |
Anonymous
My sister has this setup and couldn’t be happier. I don’t think I’d be cut out for it though. |
Anonymous
I don’t think it’s healthy for your kids to only be around you all day every day. Even if money is an issue, are there low cost or free activities you can enroll them in to give them some interaction with other kids their age? Or even a play group that would give you dedicated, predictable time off from childcare for at least one afternoon a week? |
Anonymous
| I have 2 and 1 year old and this is me. We're trying for a third so it can't be all that bad? I drink a lot though (kidding). |