I always knew I'd want to see her more than 4 hours a day during the week, so yes, this has reinforced that I would love to be able to work fewer than 9 hours, but I do not want us both at home all day. As a single parent, it isn't an option anyway.

I would definitely like to be able to turn my part-time gig full time so I can work from home, but we'd have to move out of DC to make that work financially.

Anonymous wrote:I am so happy at home. I have a very well paying job so it is hard to give up. But I am happier, my child is happier and calmer. I am so happy to be home and wondering if anyone else is contemplating quitting after this.

I gave up a 350k salary to stay home. It was a good decision for my child and my family. My husband makes a lot less than I did, but we have a roof over our head, food in the fridge, and my kid is a happy little boy.

No. It makes me grateful DH and I both chose flexible, reasonably well-paying, meaningful jobs--and I feel very lucky that we had the option to do so. We both know our three kids and don't feel like we work too much.

heeeeeeellll no. I can't wait to get back to work, and my kids are dying to go back to school.

I know it’s not fashionable to say, but my decade home with my three kids was the absolute best time of my life. I will never, ever regret those years and the income I gave up.

I also adore being back to work.

Once my kids hit elementary I was intellectually bored, and I was also in a verbally abusive marriage to a man who declined rapidly into rage and alcoholism. I had NO power, no job! Was a trailing spouse and he used that against me. “Whose going to believe YOU?” He would sneer at me. I will never be in that position again. Never.

Anonymous wrote:Op why do you need to work that much until 10 each night? You have no childcare expense because a relative watches your kid and you have only one kid. Not sure why you need K street money if your DH also has a good job given that. Why not lean out at this point? You can still make a decent salary (see above post from ex K street employee with a six figure salary, my company has some of these types too.)

The problem is that OP has an emotionally abusive husband and apparently needs to keep one foot out the door. Leaning out while prepping for divorce is a scary financial move.

No. I've done it twice before for 6 months each time and I realized then that I don't have the personality to be a stay at home parent. I do realize that there are things that I need to work on more with my kids.

Op why do you need to work that much until 10 each night? You have no childcare expense because a relative watches your kid and you have only one kid. Not sure why you need K street money if your DH also has a good job given that. Why not lean out at this point? You can still make a decent salary (see above post from ex K street employee with a six figure salary, my company has some of these types too.)

I was on K St and I mommy tracked into an easy role (I work 37-40 hrs a week and have 6 weeks off a year and my schedule is fully flex so I can come and go as needed. Work close to home. Travel once a year maybe. I make less than I used to but still clear 6 figures amf get full benefits).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so happy at home. I have a very well paying job so it is hard to give up. But I am happier, my child is happier and calmer. I am so happy to be home and wondering if anyone else is contemplating quitting after this.

OP here - my kid is 2.5 and I feel like I’ve missed the last 2.5 years. He’s so excited to have me home it feels sad - like he shouldn’t be so excited to have his mom

He’s 2.5. They love their parents at that age and it is the cutest thing ever. Wait until you hit 3.5, 4, 5... it does not make sense for them to be at home. They need to socialize and have friends. By 6, you are chopped liver if any other playmate is around. So definitely enjoy, but understand this is a phase. Do you want to give up working for this? By all means, get a job with better work-life balance, and invest in building a strong parent child relationship. But understand that your child will soon outgrow being at home.

Omg! Yes. I have missed out on so much by working. I wish I could stay home for good.

Anonymous wrote:Absolute not. I’m bored out of my mind being home all day and that’s with still working full time. My kids are also driving me insane. They are loud elementary age boys and I’m someone who need more space and quiet. I seriously feel like I can’t hear myself think these days. I’m so ready to get back to our normal routine.

Same. I find it very challenging to try to do my job (which is extra busy due to COVID-19) while simultaneously trying to homeschool only one child (husband works in healthcare so has to go into work). When I saw the title I thought this was going to be a sarcastic post. I can't wait to get back to normalcy when it's safe to do so.

K Street. We have a nice lifestyle my $ contributes to. Pretty sure we could keep it up on DH earnings but could not get better (v old house in nice neighborhood, we’d like to update etc). Also slightly unsure of DH earnings in this new world. My worry is that DH is emotionally abusive and I will get caught without having a means of escape. But missing my only son’s childhood seems so much more of a tragedy to me now. BTW I have no family income to rely on so it’s just me.

OP, you are prioritizing money over your child. Based on your schedule, of course you barely know him. These years yield so many sweet moments. If you can’t find a job with more flexibility, then quit.

Signed,
A WOHM (with flexibility)

I have a friend who has a particularly difficult child. He was colicky and ill tempered from the time he was born. He has grown into a boorish and selfish teen. It is amazing to see him turn out like this because his parents are the kindest people I have seen. My friend went back to work because she could not handle him 24/7 and having him go to daycare was good for her, her marriage and also the child, because it had more structure than she could provide.

I am loving this this time but at least one of my kids wants to be back in school. The days are sweet but I wake from nightmares each night about the economy or catching covid. I feel wrong to find so much enjoyment when things are so wrong for many and soon for our community. I love being home but there is an impending tsunami headed our way.