Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

With our first DD I was a SAHM for almost 2.5 years and got the itch to go back to work.
I found myself bored alot even when I met up with other moms for walks I still felt this need to "wor" if that makes sense.
With #2 I wish I could SAH but only till shes like 2 years old and then be back at work.

Am I a rare person who feels that they could only do the SAHM thing short term???

Message edited 1/11/2008 9:46:47 AM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

Me, I was at home for over a year and although I had the time of my life, I need the discipline and the sense of accomplishment that I get with my job. I get a sense of accomplishment with my son...but its different. I always thought I would want to be a SAHM with our second, but my husband and I have recently decided that it would be for the best for me to work perhaps 3 days a week, or 25 hours a week split among 5 days. I enjoy working too much to give it up!!!

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I never thought I would WANT to go back to work after having a baby.

I cried the whole week before going back and I told DH I would "hang in" until Christmas then resign.

But when I went back I suddenly realized how much happier I am when I have something different to challenge me.

I loved being home with DS, but for me personally I am happier when I work and it makes me feel like a better mom.

I have to also add that I'm really lucky to have a super-flexible job. I leave at 3:00 every day so I get tons of time with DS and I love his daycare.

I think that makes thing easier.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

welll this was surely me for the first 4months or so.....i felt completely out of place,lonely,even bored. DD was very colicky early on and that made staying home unbearable some days. i missed my job (school librarian) and the people i worked with. i missed having the routine. i didn't like SAH b/c i felt like i had to fill EVERY day with something. like i'd wake up and say ok...which store do i go to today?
ok, that said-life as a SAHM has gotten a lot better and so has DD! we have a routine, she is a delight etc....
i was starting to think that i could stay home b/c i like it now!
yesterday my DH lost his job-i don't have the choice to SAH anymore and i am sad. wish i had appreciated it more. i will now appreciate it a lot til i go back in september.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

Me. I know it's just not for me, and I'm glad I knew that about myself before making any attempt at being a SAHM. When I was on my maternity leave, which was only 3 months, I found myself falling into a bit of a depression. I'm sure part of it was because of post-partum depression, but I know another part of it was because I felt like I had lost a part of myself, was becoming isolated, and missed the intellectual challenge that I get from work. I find, at least for myself, I'm a much better mommy and more able to focus on Alex, when I fulfill that part of myself that needs that intellectual challenge, interaction with adults, and the part of the job that allows me to feel like I'm really making a difference on my community.

I do, however, recognize that not everyone has that innate need or desire to work, and I would never judge.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I know that at SOME point i will return to work. I never wanted to work while they were very little..to me it was important I be there...but if we have another soon, I will stay home until the baby is 2 and then go back to work.

I just hope to be doing something I love...my careers or jobs in the past haven't been too satisfying...and staying with my son has been great!

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I was always up in the air about it before DS but once I was on leave at home with him I knew that going back to work would be the best thing for us.

I had a really hard time staying home for the 7 weeks. But on the other side I had a hard time going back to work. I wanted to be with him but had such a hard time when we were 24/7 - I felt lost and isolated.

Going back to work really helped to give me some structure. I know that I have limited to time to get things done and I think that my personality thrives off of that because so much more gets done now. And weekends are all about him. We play with all of his toys, we sing, we dance and we cuddle. It's great. It's definitely not easy but I feel that way no matter what anyone's situation is - being a mom is hard work! This works best for us so for now I do like working.

Message edited 1/11/2008 10:13:41 AM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

When he was younger I felt this way. I was bored and frustrated at least half the time on my maternity leave. We had a rough adjustment the first few months and I missed being around adults, being on a routine, etc. and was jealous that DH got to leave the house. Now that he's older I totally would prefer to spend my days with him, but it's not an option for us right now.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

me... i know that i need to work.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I do not feel I can be a SAHM indefintly.....i will need to do something to keep my mind busy sooner or later.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I know hat I could never be a full time SAHM. I love that I work part time because I feel like I have the best of both worlds. When I'm off in the summer I get bored. I couldn't wait to start classes again after being home with DS for 3 months. I love him more than anything, but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is just too much for me.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

YES!!!!! i went back to work when DS was 18months. In the beggining I didnt mind being home and enjoyed it but after awhile I started to get really bored and have anxiety, I was literally watching the clock some days for Dh to come home. I also was out spending money and felt that wasnt good either. I wasnt planning on going back though but my old job called me back and offered me a position making much more money than before and I really enjoy it.

The only thing is working has def put my decsion to have another on hold. I cant see paying daycare 500+ dollars a week for 2 kids and I cant stay home again. Also Im not sure about a yong baby in daycare but im so much happier being a working mom.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

Am I a rare person who feels that they could only do the SAHM thing short term???

NO WAY I wasnt even planning on being a SAHM But my job would nto work with me coming abck part time. I would love to stay home till ds is 2 but right now we are playing it by ear. If $ gets tight then I will have to go back - I have no problem with that. BUT I will be going back unless we win the lotto but that will not happen . :)

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

Yes, it's not really me at all, but I'm doing it and proud to make the sacrifice.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

If (and I say if because both DH and I need to work) I had the option to be a SAHM I wouldnt want to. I would still want to work. I think that I would be bored and I would worry if Jacob was bored.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I was home with Nate for a year... It wasn't by choice. I was looking for a job, but it too 7 months to find the right job. I knew it wasn't for me, I was about to climb the wall being at home.

When Jayden was born, I went back to work when he was 10 weeks old.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I was a full time SAHM for a little over 6 months and than went back to work part-time 2 days. Next summer when DS is about 15 months I will probably add an extra day on at work, but I will more than likely not ever work full-time until the kids are in school full-time.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I feel the same way, that I could only be a SAHM short term.

I'm backwards though. While I don't want to put any of my children in daycare until at least 6 months, I do want to SAH with them after they start preschool. I want to be able to volunteer at their school and get involved in community activities when they are a little older.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??

I was all about working until this week. I loved the holidays and being home with DD. She's getting to be so fun and interesting. So I wish I could cut back to 3 days a week, and might do so. It has been rough being away from her this week even though I love my job. DH and I starting talking last night about options so I can work less. I think p/t would be perfect for me. A f/t SAH situation would be a little too much time at home for me.

Message edited 1/11/2008 1:15:57 PM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM-Did anyone feel that SAHM is not for them??