My husband could die or leave me.
I would be bored AF sitting at home all day doing nothing.
I am good at what I do and like it.
I want to contribute to my own retirement.
It makes me feel productive and happy.
Honing an expertise is important.
I want to model it for my kids because I think it’s important they see both parents work and are good at something. I want them to have a strong work ethic.
I stayed at home until my oldest was 6 and youngest was 2. Dont regret it but wasn’t willing to sacrifice the rest of my life to make home life smoother and simpler for the others in the family. I sacrificed and did it when they were little and I am proud I did but have no desire to do it forever.

To afford my horses. —DCUM horse girl

I have a really flexible job. I WFH a lot and when I do come into the office, most of the time I can leave early. I like parts of my job - I have good friends there, I have a few interesting projects a year, it forces me to stay up to date, I get to write some, etc.

If I had a totally unflex job I would quit in a heart beat and set up my own small shop doing consulting. I do best when I have a little structure/schedule to my week.

Anonymous wrote:I help people.

This.
I like to help people. Even as a SAHM, I was volunteering a lot. After a couple of years, I decided it made more sense to work at the top of my skill level and get paid for my time.

Anonymous wrote:Because I want to be a productive and contributing member of society. I have skills and intellect that are valuable? What a stupid question, OP.

+1

Because I want to be a productive and contributing member of society. I have skills and intellect that are valuable? What a stupid question, OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work because even though I could collect 5 figures a month in child support and alimony, I am too proud.
I work to show my kids that I'm smart and resiliant
I work because they are paying me way too much and i'd be a fool not to
I work because I can't imagine dating as a single mom and saying I didn't work. I'm a smart lady, too smart for the assumptions that come with that.

I have money in trust that would enable me to never work again, but I'm a high earner with a very enviable set up (WAH), and I'm proud of myself. Its a good feeling.

If you collect 5 figures/month in child support AND you have a trust, you’re really just pretending that you work to provide yourself with your lifestyle. You have a jobby and are no different than a SAHM.

What a bizarre thing to say. Someone who is working is working - not pretend working - regardless of how much money they have in the bank

Yeah that comment makes no sense. No wealthy person actually works?

No. She says she works because she can’t imagine dating as a single mom and saying she doesn’t have a job. She says she has a job because she has too much pride to take money from other people.

This is laughable given the finances she describes. Her paycheck probably makes zero difference in her lifestyle.

NP, but isn’t this exactly who the post is directed to?

When you’re slugging day after day for a pay cheque, it’s hard to remember the other reasons why it’s advantageous or enjoyable to work. In a world of SAHP, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough, and to wish there was something else other than the money

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work because even though I could collect 5 figures a month in child support and alimony, I am too proud.
I work to show my kids that I'm smart and resiliant
I work because they are paying me way too much and i'd be a fool not to
I work because I can't imagine dating as a single mom and saying I didn't work. I'm a smart lady, too smart for the assumptions that come with that.

I have money in trust that would enable me to never work again, but I'm a high earner with a very enviable set up (WAH), and I'm proud of myself. Its a good feeling.

If you collect 5 figures/month in child support AND you have a trust, you’re really just pretending that you work to provide yourself with your lifestyle. You have a jobby and are no different than a SAHM.

What a bizarre thing to say. Someone who is working is working - not pretend working - regardless of how much money they have in the bank

Yeah that comment makes no sense. No wealthy person actually works?

No. She says she works because she can’t imagine dating as a single mom and saying she doesn’t have a job. She says she has a job because she has too much pride to take money from other people.

This is laughable given the finances she describes. Her paycheck probably makes zero difference in her lifestyle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work because even though I could collect 5 figures a month in child support and alimony, I am too proud.
I work to show my kids that I'm smart and resiliant
I work because they are paying me way too much and i'd be a fool not to
I work because I can't imagine dating as a single mom and saying I didn't work. I'm a smart lady, too smart for the assumptions that come with that.

I have money in trust that would enable me to never work again, but I'm a high earner with a very enviable set up (WAH), and I'm proud of myself. Its a good feeling.

If you collect 5 figures/month in child support AND you have a trust, you’re really just pretending that you work to provide yourself with your lifestyle. You have a jobby and are no different than a SAHM.

What a bizarre thing to say. Someone who is working is working - not pretend working - regardless of how much money they have in the bank

Yeah that comment makes no sense. No wealthy person actually works?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work because even though I could collect 5 figures a month in child support and alimony, I am too proud.
I work to show my kids that I'm smart and resiliant
I work because they are paying me way too much and i'd be a fool not to
I work because I can't imagine dating as a single mom and saying I didn't work. I'm a smart lady, too smart for the assumptions that come with that.

I have money in trust that would enable me to never work again, but I'm a high earner with a very enviable set up (WAH), and I'm proud of myself. Its a good feeling.

If you collect 5 figures/month in child support AND you have a trust, you’re really just pretending that you work to provide yourself with your lifestyle. You have a jobby and are no different than a SAHM.

What a bizarre thing to say. Someone who is working is working - not pretend working - regardless of how much money they have in the bank

I need the structure. The less busy I am, the less I get done and I get kind of bored/depressed. Also, intellectual and social stimulation- my parents retired early and I don't think it was good for them. I'm risk averse - what if something happens to DH? I want my own source of income.

I wouldn’t enjoy taking care of little kids all day. Before any starts with the “then why even have kids” - I (and my husband) spend a lot of time with the kids, they are well loved / parented / cared for, and I think I’m a very good parent (as are many others and there’s no one way to be a good parent)

Anonymous wrote:I work because even though I could collect 5 figures a month in child support and alimony, I am too proud.
I work to show my kids that I'm smart and resiliant
I work because they are paying me way too much and i'd be a fool not to
I work because I can't imagine dating as a single mom and saying I didn't work. I'm a smart lady, too smart for the assumptions that come with that.

I have money in trust that would enable me to never work again, but I'm a high earner with a very enviable set up (WAH), and I'm proud of myself. Its a good feeling.

If you collect 5 figures/month in child support AND you have a trust, you’re really just pretending that you work to provide yourself with your lifestyle. You have a jobby and are no different than a SAHM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Intellectual stimulation, social interaction, serving an underprivileged population and using an education that took many years to complete. Oh and being a role model to my daughters!

So paid work = being a role model?

I’m not that poster but yes. It is very important for children to see both parents doing the same thing. Working and taking care of them.

+1000. I’m surprised this even had to be explained. I’m not arguing that there aren’t any benefits to having or being a SAHM, but this one thing is clearly on the dual working parents side of the scale.

Agree with this. Never want to have my kids think “daddy works and mommy takes care of us.”

Plus many of the other reasons mentioned here. Intellectual stimulation; not wanting to waste my education; making a difference in the world; raising my boys to respect working women; etc.

I help people.