Any Formerly SAHM's Back to Work for Economic Reasons and Hating It?

[Anonymous]

I know of a few mothers of young children who work outside of the home not because the family needs the income, but because they feel that by leaving the house and thus going to "work," they are actually getting a break. A break from the chaos of a house full of young kids.

Ironic, but true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.. Let me re-phrase. If you hate your job, how do you get through your days until you can find another position? Listen to music, take long lunch, be passive-aggressive??? Like one NICE poster said, it will take awhile... Home is where the heart is...

I take breaks. I can skip out for ten minutes during the day other than lunch, if I desperately need it, I go for a quick walk, or get a coffee. And about 95% of days, I got out for a walk instead of lunch for lunch and eat at my desk or drink a protein shake so I can listen to music and detox. It helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.. Let me re-phrase. If you hate your job, how do you get through your days until you can find another position? Listen to music, take long lunch, be passive-aggressive??? Like one NICE poster said, it will take awhile... Home is where the heart is...

LOL---you think this is better?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry the gravy train ran dry, OP.

Or not.

Imagine - contributing financially to your family's lifestyle and wellbeing! THE HORROR!

Wow, you're a bitch. It's people like you that feed the mommy wars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of a few mothers of young children who work outside of the home not because the family needs the income, but because they feel that by leaving the house and thus going to "work," they are actually getting a break. A break from the chaos of a house full of young kids.

Ironic, but true.

For this former SAHM it was largely the pressure and shame of the mommy wars, not needing the income. "Who cares what's the best thing for your family? Get out there and work, you pathetic loser!" For me that translates into immense stress and patching together childcare on the days when my spouse is traveling at the last minute and I have to leave the house at 6:20 am and be gone for 12 hours. But hey, I'm not the societal leach (any more) so many bitchy people complain about, right?

To answer your question, OP, although my current job is not my dream job I look at it as a stepping stone. I am learning new skills, meeting interesting people, and yes, I get a break from my former (9 years) kid-centric life.

[Anonymous]

I think you have t understand that this job is your chance to get your foot in the door. It will pay some money for your needs. Take discreet breaks, do your shopping online, think of ways to be organized at home, learn new skills, network, keep applying to new jobs.

Remember that the smartest people try to leverage their existing jobs to get better jobs.

[Anonymous]

I think one reason that you hate the job is because you were forced to take it for money. So, you do have some financial woes that is dragging you down. Work for a year or so and use this job to find another one.

If you suck at the job - then speed up your job hunting before you get fired.

[Anonymous]

OP, just want to say your post isn't offensive to anyone except those who are trying really REALLY hard to find a reason to be offended.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds to me as though you don't like your job. If that's the case, you can easily find a new one. That's a quick fix. What I would do if I were you is make a list of all the ideal qualities you would like in a job - flexible time, fun work/intellectually-challenging work, easy commute, etc. - and go from there.

Life is too short to be unhappy with anything in your life, and this is something that you can change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.. Let me re-phrase. If you hate your job, how do you get through your days until you can find another position? Listen to music, take long lunch, be passive-aggressive??? Like one NICE poster said, it will take awhile... Home is where the heart is...

I plug away knowing that I have to go to work each day so we can make the mortgage. It's not the deal we had a few years ago but my husband's employer went south with the recession and we need the money.

Doing the morning routine, commute, work, commute, dinner rush and homework is enough; no time for being passive aggressive or taking a long lunch. If I have free time, I'm either looking for something new or trying to squeeze some training out of my current employer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of a few mothers of young children who work outside of the home not because the family needs the income, but because they feel that by leaving the house and thus going to "work," they are actually getting a break. A break from the chaos of a house full of young kids.

Ironic, but true.

ridiculous. why don't they just volunteer? I call BS. 99% work b/c they need the money (though humble brag PP was amusing thinking that policy decisions really 'change lives', how cute, maybe she went from intern and married a staffer and this is her first 'real' job).

your mommy workers have another story than needing a break.

for the record, this thread reminds me of a friend with personality disorder and his attitude to work. if this is causing OP serious grief, perhaps a therapist would help gain perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds to me as though you don't like your job. If that's the case, you can easily find a new one. That's a quick fix. What I would do if I were you is make a list of all the ideal qualities you would like in a job - flexible time, fun work/intellectually-challenging work, easy commute, etc. - and go from there.

Life is too short to be unhappy with anything in your life, and this is something that you can change.

Easily, huh? It isn't for anyone. For many people it takes years. A job search is generally time consuming. If I was working FT and doing the second shift, I'd find it very difficult. I understand why people give up.

The prevalence of dual income families here makes it more difficult to live here in some ways - adds to traffic, makes housing so much more expensive and competitive. I am really feeling pulled into it - even to be able to afford a pretty modest house, I need to work. I can see my kids becoming more expensive as they get older with orthodontics, activities, trips, and so much food.

It is not always fun being a SAHM with no money. Sure, we have time for crafts & such but living in a small apartment with 2 young kids is really not ideal. I am looking forward to working again so we can get out of here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of a few mothers of young children who work outside of the home not because the family needs the income, but because they feel that by leaving the house and thus going to "work," they are actually getting a break. A break from the chaos of a house full of young kids.

Ironic, but true.

ridiculous. why don't they just volunteer? I call BS. 99% work b/c they need the money (though humble brag PP was amusing thinking that policy decisions really 'change lives', how cute, maybe she went from intern and married a staffer and this is her first 'real' job).

your mommy workers have another story than needing a break.

for the record, this thread reminds me of a friend with personality disorder and his attitude to work. if this is causing OP serious grief, perhaps a therapist would help gain perspective.

Why is it so hard for you to believe that some women work because they want to, not because they need to? Maybe you need therapy to gain a little perspective yourself- not everyone thinks like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of a few mothers of young children who work outside of the home not because the family needs the income, but because they feel that by leaving the house and thus going to "work," they are actually getting a break. A break from the chaos of a house full of young kids.

Ironic, but true.

LOL. I threaten my kids that I'll go back to work if they start to get out of hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of a few mothers of young children who work outside of the home not because the family needs the income, but because they feel that by leaving the house and thus going to "work," they are actually getting a break. A break from the chaos of a house full of young kids.

Ironic, but true.

LOL. I threaten my kids that I'll go back to work if they start to get out of hand.

^ and if/when I do go back to work it'll be because I want to do it, not for the money.