If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

Dh and I have decided that I am going to resign and stay home. I am just not sure what to say / how to say it when I resign.

I have been at my job for 5 years. It is a large well known company. They have been extremely good to me - 2 fully paid 4 month mat leaves, flex 4 day schedule, can come in later pretty much whenever I need to. I just don't know how I can turn around and quit or what to say. I am afraid they are going to be really mad considering how much they have bent over backwards to make things work out.

I might be willing to work 2 days per week, but would have to think about it. Our older DC developed a health issue that makes us not want to utilize daycare and it is too much on my Mom to watch 2 little ones now.

My immediate supervisor used to pay more to daycare than she earned, so I don't think she is going to understand my decision.

What did you say when you resigned? I have been back at work for almost 4 mos since maternity leave...

Thanks in advance. I'm having such a tough time with this bc I feel like I'm letting everyone down.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I haven't done this but try to remember this - this is your life. You owe NO ONE an excuse for wanting to be home with your children. When it comes down to it, it's business.

I would simply go to your supervisor, explain you have enjoyed working for them/with and appreciate having had the opportunity but have decided to resign to stay home with your children. What can they say? All they can do is potentially offer you part-time which you can then consider.

Good luck!

Message edited 4/14/2011 1:23:18 PM.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I resigned in Feb after being with the company 6years. In fact it was my anniversary! My situation is different because I was miserable and missed so much. I looked at this way....on my death bed I would not say man I wish I had taken 1 more 911 call or 1 more transfer I will say I can't believe I missed her 1st Easter, her 1st Mama, her 1st Birthday/Christmas. I resigned effective immediately so that is different too. I would go in and just say how happy you are and how grateful you feel, but at the end of your day your kids come 1st. Because let's be honest they do. If it gets bad just walk away and know you did the right thing. Screw what they "think" about being a SAHM, you need to do what's right. Offer to work pt if you want, but don't feel like you owe them that. You owe you KIDS a SAHM if that's what you feel in your heart.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I resigned a couple of days after returning from maternity leave. I worked in NYC and my work days were 12+ hours long. I guess I just needed to do it for a couple of days before making my decision, and it was a very clear/easy decision for us. In the 3 weeks that I stayed on board, I saw DS for 1 hour each day. That was NOT ok.

I was very honest with my boss. I told her that the commute was too long and I just needed to be with my DS full time. She was upset but respected my decision. I left on great terms so I feel really good about it! Just be honest! I know it's difficult, but it will be SO worth it!!

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I recently resigned. My company wasn't quite as generous, but still, I agonized over how it would go. I thought they would be mad or wouldn't get it. I worked with almost all women and they all had kids in daycare or with an at-home nanny. In the end, it was fine. Nobody was mad. Upset that I was leaving, but not mad. And so many people were supportive and even envious of my decision. At the end of the day, it's business. It's not personal. Like a pp said, it's your life and your family. You have to do what is right for you. Good luck!

Message edited 4/14/2011 2:45:51 PM.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

The only advice I would give is-- don't worry about letting the company down even though they made accommodations for you. They may have been very nice to you, but at the end of the day it's JUST BUSINESS and if things weren't working out for them financially they would lay you off in a heartbeat.

I also wouldn't worry about what the other people there with kids feel about your being a SAHM. What works for them may not work for you-- it's a very individual thing, being a SAHM is the greatest thing for some people and a total nightmare for others. Just do what YOU want to do.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I resigned during the phone call to discuss my flexible working request. Before I went off on Mat leave they made it clear to me that if I decided not to come back, I would not have to pay back my maternity leave. I feel that I didn't burn any bridges, and have already been told I would be welcomed back when and if I was ready to come back to work.

They are a business and they should be used to people coming and going, even if, like me, you were a very special employee! I am going into the office tomorrow to have a look at my replacement...good luck with the call!!!

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I left mt FT job when I was pregnant because I knew I was going to be a SAHM. Left early because I did not want to go through a rough tax season in the winter.

Honestly I was so scared telling them I was leaving especially since tax season was coming up, that's also why gave 2 months notice.

Everyone was so accommodating, I don't even know why I was so scared to tell HR and my immediate managers. I had a good relationship with everyone and they told me if I changed my mind they would love to have me back be it PT or FT. They told me they understood and had to do what was best for me and my new family.

It's not that bad, just do it and get it over with. There is nothing they can do except in your case make you feel a bit guilty. But in the end a job is a job. EVERYONE CAN BE REPLACED!! Always remember that. They will move on and get someone else to fill your position.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

Posted by Maria31

I resigned a couple of days after returning from maternity leave. I worked in NYC and my work days were 12+ hours long. I guess I just needed to do it for a couple of days before making my decision, and it was a very clear/easy decision for us. In the 3 weeks that I stayed on board, I saw DS for 1 hour each day. That was NOT ok.

I was very honest with my boss. I told her that the commute was too long and I just needed to be with my DS full time. She was upset but respected my decision. I left on great terms so I feel really good about it! Just be honest! I know it's difficult, but it will be SO worth it!!

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I just told them the truth. I was at my job for 5 yrs when i resigned. I just told my boss that it was best for my family and I enjoyed working there blah blah blah.

i stayed on very part-time

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I told them my daycare situation (my inlaws) was not working out for me. I had been working 7 months at this point. I asked if I could work PT to remedy my situation , they said no and I said well I"m going to have to resign then.

I felt like you did, like I was letting everyone down including my inlaws, except my Mom and Sister who were pressuring me to quit. I really did feel tremendous guilt, but I thank goodness I left because I've gotten to spend all my time w/ my older son and we have a second baby now, which we would not have done if I were working

good luck to you!

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I recently resigned. I gave them about 5 weeks notice. I have 2 weeks left. I told them that I wanted to take some time off to spend with my family.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I was with a small firm for over six years. They too were very good to me. I went out on bed rest five months before delievering and they still held my job. I worked in NYC and knew I wasnt going ot return and felt very guilty continuing to collect disibility and knowling I wasnt going back after Dc was born. I think i built it up more in my head because when it was time to resign, it wasnt so bad. It was my own feeling of guilt that was making it worse.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I quit my job when DS was 14 months old.

We relocated for my DH's new job. I was working FT and my Mom watched DS.

It was an easy decision for me, I did not like my job at all, missed my DS. I gave them one month's notice.

Now, I have been home over two years, and I love it. I had another baby last year, and don't miss working at all.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I quit my job before I even went back from maternity leave. I was honest. We had priced out daycare costs, weighed everything, and it did not make sense financially for me to go back to work. They understood.

Re: If you resigned from your FT job to be a SAHM, please come in!

I originally quit to take a PT position with another company.

I had been with my FT company for 4 years and had been back from mat leave for 3 months when I resigned.

I was just honest. I told them it was a hard decision but I felt that I wanted a better balance with my DS. Nearly everyone understood. I cried when I sat with my VP and told him but as I said to him, his wife left a career to be with his kids and I felt that now was the time to do it.

I also said I hope to work with them again in the future once I was ready to return to work FT.

GL!

Personally I think many employers expect it almost....kinda like a prepare for the worst (good employee leaving) but hope for the best (they stay on after mat leave) type thing!