50's Housewife Rhona

[Rhona]

I've made a big decision this week... my maternity leave is officially over in January, and we've decided that I'm not going back to work...(brilliant credit-crunchy decision, I know...)

It's been sooo hard trying to work out what is the best thing to do - I love my career and firm and it was amazingly stressful but very rewarding at the same time. My firm have been lovely and said they would "look kindly' on me wanting to return in a year or two, but we'll see.

So I'm now officially a stay at home mum... Argh! I love it actually - way more than I ever ever expected. I guess I couldn't expect to make a massive decision like this without a trace of regret. I also know we're dead lucky to have the option/luxury of me staying at home with little baby girl.

Anyhoo. That's that, as they say...

[Nicos]

Good for you!
You'll be more relaxed and enjoy Xmas/New Year now without the countdown of weeks and days going on in the back of your head!
Big decision, but ....cutting of cloth n all that!

[bobleponge]

Exactly. Cut the cloth and the decision will have been totally worth it I'm sure. More time on the vine then?

[digthatchick]

Great decision - my OH stayed at home until our two started secondary school - then she retrained - got her degree and has a great job in education. Best of luck to you and your family.

[lynda66]

after i had my son, i decided when he was 3 months old to go back to work, i was a motorcycle courier at the time ........ so i got him in nursery, and because i could basically work whatever hours i wanted, and the nursery were wonderful, i spent more time there than at work for the first month lol ...... then everyone i worked with crashed, and i got into a panic about leaving rob without a mum, that i started working in the office, by the time he was 6 months old, i couldn't stand it any more and gave up work ..... was funny though, by the time he was 12 months and developed the terrible 2's mad child disease ...... couldn't stand it any more ...... and went and got another job lol

[SlugLobber]

Good for you, Rhona! I think a lot of Mums would choose to stay home if at all possible. Enjoy!

[Stacey Steve]

When girl child was born, the cost of child care was more than I earned, so I gave up work to look after her 9 months or so.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, although I didn't get invited to any of the Mums & Baby's coffee morning etc.

[di]

Great decision!...there's a LOT we have to either manage without...or wait for hand me downs from my sis!!But for me,the choice between an annual holiday/dinners out/new clothes blah de blah or geting to watch my angels grow up...& as important bring them up with my values...well,no choice really!!My mates a childminder(& a very good one)..it would break my heart if the ickle boy she has were mine.....when he first started saying "mum",it was to her,she's seen all his "1sts".
Also,hopefully the fact we don't have a lot,our kiddies will grow up to appreciate the little things.
Enjoy your life as full time mum!!Welcome to the gang!!

[Seahorse]

I never thought it'd be 'me' but I LOVE being at home with my little ones, even though it means we're far from well off. I'm sure you'll never regret it Rhona.

[jackie j]

Good choice well done. I never wanted a career but I always worked part time, evenings when my boys were small as a waitress their dad looked after them. I have swapped between days and nights with my daughter and now work one night a week. There are jobs out there if you want them or need them, it doesnt have to be something you are qualified to do. I have always been at home for my kids when they need me the most ie when they were baby's and when they were Ill, when they come home from school they need someone to talk to even if they dont say much, just being there helps them to feel safe. I hated being a latch key kid and I had a very loving mum but a single mum and she had to go out to work even tho the doctor told her not to. If you dont have a choice to stay home get the best help you can afford not always easy I know. Its a pity there's not more help for parents who want to stay home and look after the kids, there is a difference to those who dont want to work, and those who do but choose to look after their own children.

[Alice]

I think you're right Rhona. It's much more important for children to be brought up in a loving, caring home than to have extra material things. Your little girl will only be little for such a short time. Enjoy her. You can always go back to work when the time is right.

[janeyo]

I didn't have any desire, nor do I have any desire to now (eldest is 4 1/2 and baby is 17 months) to go back in the daytime. I am a teacher and after first child was a year I went back and taught eveing classes so didn't actually have to leave the baby as OH was in charge.

I did the od day here and there of supply and also did childminding at home for a while to socialise my child.

I really do think (and am sure someone will shoot me down in flames) that it's really important, if you can do it financially, to be at home with the children at least until they go to school. My parents think I am wasting my education and skills being at home, but I Love it. (mum was stay at home mum with us though)

Now I am far too busy with the chickens and the garden etc to even think about going back to work, lol. OH earns way more than I ever couod teaching so there's no way he wold ever stay home so I do it instead. It's funny as before I had children I was sure I would want to go back to work! Now I can't imagine anything worse!

janeyo - enjoy your time with your daughter, she will be off to school before you know it!

ps and if you time it right you can be having no 2 and delay the going back a bit more!

[Gro-Bag]

Good stuff - its important to go with what feels right for you with this one, whether its being at home or keeping up the job. I loved being with my son for his first few years. We were very skint but when he was 4 I went back to Uni while he went to the Uni creche, so we met up at lunchtimes, and travelled in and out together, and that felt lovely too. The money is a big consideration for most of us, but I really enjoyed being with him for those early years, and ended up in a better job in the end anyway. So congratulations - enjoy your baby! There will be other jobs!

[Finedon.Dandy]

I love being a SAHM, so welcome to the family girl!

[zazen999]

Excellent decision - going to work every day is SO overrated...[I do both and work from home].