Anyone go from SAHM to retirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG. A bunch of annoying, rich women bitching at each other.

If you actually take care of your children and home, meaning you actually clean your home, buy your groceries, cook your meals, manage the finances, etc., then you are a SAHM and can discuss the work you do. I pat you on the back for your contribution to society.

If you are just a rich woman with a cook and someone to clean your home and a babysitter, you are just a lucky rich woman. You aren't what anyone would call a SAHM and you aren't doing any work. Just be grateful and stop trying to pretend you are doing anything resembling work or deserving of any accolades. Realize you belong to an unbelievably small group of people on this earth and thank your lucky stars. Or maybe go volunteer somewhere and give back to society.

Honestly.

WOHMs (and dads!) do all of this as well. It’s nothing unique to SAHMs.

This is true. But we have "SAHMs" on this thread (and others on DCUM) who don't even do these things and try to argue to the high heavens about how we should all step back and value their contributions.

[Anonymous]

These threads are eye rolling. Who cares what other people do with their lives? This is so a NON issue.

My children go to a pre-school where some moms are stay at home moms and some moms work out of the home. Guess who stands around talking about it? No one. We are talking about interests, our kids, our upcoming vacations. If a mom can't make it to a show or activity, we take pictures and videos and send them to parents who can't attend due to work or other commitments. Is this a DC issue?... because it definitely isn't an issue where I live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a first time mom at 43 (!) with one and only DD. I'll be 62 by the time she goes to college. I've had a 20-year career, and am most recently C-level at a large company. I feel like I've achieved the highest point of my career, and I could be doing the same thing for 20 years before retiring. Or start my own company, which would have its own trajectory. Obviously I've wanted DD for a long time, and love spending time with her. When she gets older, I could go back to work PT, or freelance, or volunteer. Has anyone go from SAHM to retirement and any tips?

Haven’t read any other replies. But, are you me?? Except I did it! Couldn’t be happier.

I've been thinking about starting a similar thread. I"m 45, earned a lot of money already, saved most of it and due to two young kids, one with a labor-intensive condition, I'm seriously thinking about "retiring" or staying at home or living off the money I already earned/saved. My problem, fear of loosing my self-definition. I even know what I want to do in the volunteer space. Actually, my DH doesn't want me to which is bothersome because we can live off his income and since we've met, I've earned 1/3 more than him. For example, he earns 200K and our mortgage is less than most apartments.

I think your DH has to be on board for you to be a SAHM. Sounds like you are and were always the higher earner.

How old are your kids?
Could you do a lateral more flexible job?

I’m the 40yo pp. DH likes me staying home because he can focus on his career. He doesn’t have to stress out about picking up the kids on time or whether he will need to call out tomorrow because school might be closed because it is too cold.

Read this carefully. Many men want their wife to stay home simply so their own life is easier. Having a SAHM benefits the man more than the woman. He’s out there with his own identity and contributing to retirement accounts that are in his name only. His career options and salary continue to grow. You’re stuck at home and your identity is working for your spouse and children as a cook, nanny, maid, party planner, etc. He’s in the outside world and you’re trapped behind the scenes. Oh wait volunteer work....more unpaid labor that benefits men.

If you’re an ambitious woman who likes to stay busy you most likely won’t enjoy staying home.

Former dual law partner family with SAHP now-- we both disagree with your assessment.

[Anonymous]

Well, I was going to contribute to OP's actual question, but sadly the haters arrived and derailed the thread into the typical boring mommy war.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We definitely define work differently as you think people retire from parenting.

No one said you retire from parenting! You are a parent when your kids are in the forties and fifties with homes and kids of their own - you simply are no longer a SAHP. There is no reason to stay at home if there is no child to care for so you lose that job!

Okay. My reason is that I’m rich- the same reason most people retire from paid work.

^^ same. Unless something terrible happens to all our money, I will be "retiring" from not working. Glorious

[Anonymous]

OP, you are basically retired once that DD hits 6.

Enjoy the rich husband and life of leisure.

You will always be a parent, and many people are retired and have 20 year olds living with them.

But once the kids are in school most of the day, largely independent for showing and dressing, it’s a about the same as when your are retired and helping your DH take his meds