New appreciation for anyone who takes on your children.

Anonymous wrote:This is the first time (other than short maternity leaves) that I’ve ever been able to stay home with my kids. I’m happier, DH is happier, I think my kids are the happiest I’ve ever seen them. Having to stay home and live simply these weeks have made me think we can give up some luxuries that my salary allows to have and still be happy. My friends are expressing similar sentiments and trying to find ways to make it work. Do you think we’ll see a resurgence of SAHM after this?

No. I don’t know anyone that’s not working from home. What was your job before you were laid off?

I am really enjoying being home as well; however, this pandemic and the rocky/precarious economy have reaffirmed my desire to stay in the workforce. The idea of our family being reliant on only one income (and only one person’s health insurance) frightens me.

Anonymous wrote:Not for me. I am crawling out of my skin and can't WAIT to get back to the office.

+1

Of course my husband was the one who stayed at home for our daughter’s first year anyway. The idea of that has never been appealing. I still have to work even while dealing with her and I’m losing my mind.

Yes, because they won't have jobs.

I know many women who are intensely unhappy with being home now, but will probably remain home after this because they feel they have been penalized by their employers for being mothers and by the government for being employed. I feel bad for them because the logistics of surviving SAH do seem to require one adult to act as home manager. There’s no reason that it has to be a woman (unless you are a lesbian couple), but that’s how it seems to be shaking out. Just one more loss for Millennial young women.

It won’t be a choice there won’t be enough jobs

I think a lot of people are going to feel quite vulnerable. My husband's stable job in upper restaurant management is no longer stable. I'm going back to work full time after doing a part-time gig. There are lots of other industries experiencing furloughs, pay cuts and layoffs

Not for me. I am crawling out of my skin and can't WAIT to get back to the office.

Why just women?

Sexist.

Be right back. Getting snacks to eat while the bitter "people change" and "you're setting a bad example for your daughters" posters pop in.

Opposite. People will feel less financially secure. Perhaps among the wealthy, though.

If it truly is a choice, maybe.

In many cases, it would be laid off, can't find work, making the best of it by saving on daycare/after care and any household task outsourcing.

for people who can afford it, yes.

This is the first time (other than short maternity leaves) that I’ve ever been able to stay home with my kids. I’m happier, DH is happier, I think my kids are the happiest I’ve ever seen them. Having to stay home and live simply these weeks have made me think we can give up some luxuries that my salary allows to have and still be happy. My friends are expressing similar sentiments and trying to find ways to make it work. Do you think we’ll see a resurgence of SAHM after this?