SAH question...timing???

Did anyone work while their children were young but then stay home when they were in school? Or maybe switch to part-time?

Re: SAH question...timing???

I have been thinking about this alot..especially with baby #2 on the way. Right now, DS is with my mom and he will be starting pre-school next year~ I would like to be home when he starts school, so I can be the one to drop him off and pick him up. Also I want to be the one waiting for them at the bus stop~ If I do decide to go part time, I still have enough time to prepare for the changes

Re: SAH question...timing???

I was a SAHM when my eldest daughter was an infant. With her having Down Syndrome trying to get her to her therapies and working just didnt work out...I went to work when she was about 2. I was on bedrest with the twins for most of my pregnancy and then went back to work when they were 5 weeks old. I basically worked full time until they were in 1st grade....Im now a SAHM

Re: SAH question...timing???

I switched to P/T after DS was born. I'm in the office 9-2 and then work from home a couple of hours in the afternoon. After we have another baby, I'll cut back my hours even more.

Re: SAH question...timing???

Message edited 5/22/2010 10:22:44 AM.

Re: SAH question...timing???

I have a few friends who have done this. They were both professional woman, earning comfortable six figure salaries. The truth is that when they are little, it is in some respects easier, whether you go the daycare route or live in/out help. Although its hard to leave a baby, they are creatures of habit and in one place all day. As they get older and as you add more children to the mix, it gets a lot harder. School schedules are not flexible and it becomes difficult to cover school breaks. Both of my friends had 50-60 hour per week jobs and struggled with leaving. They got tired of having live in help and frankly could afford to stop working.

What I can tell you based on my friend's experience, is that one is "retired" she is 44 (with a 13, 10 and 7 year old) and is now very involved in her kid's schools and plays a great game of tennis. The other is more conflicted (she is 41, with a 9 and 6 year old). She would ideally like to do something part time and talks about hanging a shingle locally (she is a lawyer).

I can also tell you that since having kids I have only worked PT. I consider myself very, very lucky. At this point, my kids are out of the house all day and go to camp in the summer. But, I feel busier than ever. I spend ridiculous amounts of time in the car going from activity to activity and playdate to playdate . It has allowed my to be very involved in my girl's lives and to really get to know their friends (and in some case help them pick them out) and their families. But, I also like being able to work.

Sorry, for being so long winded. I really feel for anyone struggling with these decisions because its hard to take yourself out of the game and can be harder to put yourself back in. It just suc*s that society makes it so difficult for us to do it all.

Re: SAH question...timing???

Does this count.....

I worked full time when I had my first DD. She was 12 weeks when I went back to work.
She did day care (I was pleased; no complaints) until she started school. She did before and afternoon care at school b/c I still worked full time.

Had DD # 2 and I am now a SAHM. So I now put DD # 1 on bus and home for her when she comes home.

But she did the 7:00am to 6:00pm schedule for 7 years!

Let me add....IMO it got harder for me when she started school. The schedule for day care was easy. It was when she started school that my life became hectic and overwelming. But that is just me. I hated that we did home work so late. I didn't want her doing it at the afternoon program. Nights were just hectic for me. It was so much easier when she was younger and in day care. But that is MO!

Oh and forget about all the days they are off during the school year. I had to use all my vacation for her vacations. And they have so many 1/2 days. I would have to take the whole day just to be there when she got home at 11:00. I had no one to get her and watch her for me.

I was so glad when Dh said that I could stay home. And you would think that i was happy that I could be with home with DD # 2. I totally was, however, I was more excited to be home for DD # 1 to put her on the bus and to be home for her when she got off the bus. She can have as many playdates as she wants now. It was such a wonderful feeling since i never experienced that with HER before. for 7 years it was always the same ol same ol.....and rush rush rush!

Message edited 1/30/2008 11:20:44 AM.

Re: SAH question...timing???

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences with me.

DH and I are starting to talk more and more about this. My preference would be to be home when they are in school. Even though it's hard to leave a baby at daycare...I don't know how we would manage once their schedules are actually demanding. We both work very long hours right now and from Jan - May DH is travelling and working unit late at night.