I work in corporate america in a job people I can't describe without boring people and I really like it. I would also like watching tv all day but long-term I would probably have problems with it. I certainly like earning money. I miss my child but not enough not to work. My husband also misses his child, again, not enough not to work.

OP here. I only asked because I seem to come across women who work and bemoan their jobs and wish their DH made more so they could just be a SAHM.

I also know women whose entire goal in life is to be a SAHM.

Anonymous wrote:Are there any women here who actually like working and want to actively pursue and grow their career despite having children? Does your husband's income affect this attitude?

If so, what do you do? Why does it bring you so much fulfillment?

You make it sound so awful! Like do you actually enjoy scrubbing the toilet?

Of course, I like my work. I love my work. Tenured professor in a humanities department. DH's income doesn't affect my decision to work at all--he's gone from low 6-figures to 7-figures (law, from gov't to private practice--me, from grad student to tenured, so seriously low salary, like $18K to low 6-figures now)--and I still feel tremendously thankful to have the career that I do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any women here who actually like working and want to actively pursue and grow their career despite having children? Does your husband's income affect this attitude?

If so, what do you do? Why does it bring you so much fulfillment?

Man here. I don't like working. I do it so I can feed my family and pay the mortgage. I guess five of one thing for two of another is a fair trade.

I'm successful. I earn six figures.

But do I "like" working? No. I would never find fulfillment in working. Maybe if I was an entrepreneur I might feel differently, but the notion of defining yourself by your career seems really odd to me.

New poster: you sound like my DH; I adore men like you. Keep getting home to DW and family. You rock!

Yes. I can't imagine staying home with my kids. (Not a knock on staying home -- just not for me.)

Yes. I work in a specialized field of nonprofit and am very passionate about the work. I've done it for 20+ years, so having kids really didn't affect my desire to continue doing the work.

Similar, but only in for about 10 yrs!

OP, who exactly are you talking to? I'd say 80% of the Moms I know are WOHMs and the vast majority work (at least in part) because they want to and/or feel it is important to do so.

Anonymous wrote:Are there any women here who actually like working and want to actively pursue and grow their career despite having children? Does your husband's income affect this attitude?

If so, what do you do? Why does it bring you so much fulfillment?

Man here. I don't like working. I do it so I can feed my family and pay the mortgage. I guess five of one thing for two of another is a fair trade.

I'm successful. I earn six figures.

But do I "like" working? No. I would never find fulfillment in working. Maybe if I was an entrepreneur I might feel differently, but the notion of defining yourself by your career seems really odd to me.

Here we go again.

Yes. I work in a specialized field of nonprofit and am very passionate about the work. I've done it for 20+ years, so having kids really didn't affect my desire to continue doing the work.

And why wouldn't a woman enjoy working/ I really don't understand the premise of this question. No one ever asks men if they actually like working because it's something they DO. This kind of attitude makes it difficult for women to be taken seriously in the workplace. Seriously, like it's a hobby.

Why didn't you ask men the same question?

Yes. It is extremely important to me to work - to develop as a person and use my brain, engage in my marriage as an intellectual partner, and provide a working role model for my children.

(I am sure all of that will be seen as insulting to someone, so please - no harm meant - those are just MY feelings, not a judgment on anyone who makes different choices.)

It is VERY hard to be a WOHM some days - there are more times than not that I feel like I am not truly succeeding at anything, but I am sure I would also have stresses and problems if I was a SAHM.

My husband and I make roughly the same amount of money, but even if he made substantially more, I would work. If we had the means (and, honestly, we do if we made different life choices) for me to work less, I might... but I am not sure.

And, FWIW, as much as I *adore* my children, we are both much better off with some time apart and age-appropriate stimulation each day.

Me. Corporate lawyer. I have two teenagers now; have always worked full time other than maternity leaves. My husband's base salary is higher than mine but mine is more total compensation. His income doesn't have a major impact on my desire to work, I've always wanted a career.

I love mastering my subject area and the respect I get from my clients. I'm one of those who thrives on external motivation

I do! I love my career and am good at it. Can't say what I do, but I'm very happy.

Are there any women here who actually like working and want to actively pursue and grow their career despite having children? Does your husband's income affect this attitude?

If so, what do you do? Why does it bring you so much fulfillment?