I had my first day of work in 3 years today. So far I seem to be enjoying my kids more than I did just being a SAHM every day. They also seem to be more loving. Did this happen to you? Did it last?
I had my first day of work in 3 years today. So far I seem to be enjoying my kids more than I did just being a SAHM every day. They also seem to be more loving. Did this happen to you? Did it last?
honeydew / 7283 posts
I've always WOH (part time now that my LOs are here) but I definitely think that it betters my relationship with my kids (and my husband!). I am so much more involved and excited to be with them after I have been away from them. I'm just not meant to be a full time SAHM. Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder...
squash / 13208 posts
I think my kids would love to be around me 24/7 but for me I need that time away. I definitely appreciate them more and spend more quality time with them (vs quantity) since I WOTH
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
I don't know for sure because outside of my 6-month maternity leave I've never SAH, but I think working has a positive impact on my relationship with LO. If I SAH I can pretty much guarantee I'd have the tv on all day. I'm not great in the patience department, so working allows me to be much more present and have more patience during the time I do spend with LO. Glad you're enjoying working!
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I was home with E for 19 months, and have been a WOHM for a little over a year, and I definitely think I'm a better parent because of it....pretty much for all the reasons @lawbee11: wrote! I have SO much respect for SAHMs, but I'm really not cut out for it, and I'm a better mom not being (and it really helps that E LOVES his daycare, and is absolutely THRIVING there!)
nectarine / 2272 posts
For me, yes. LO was a little over 2 when we brought him home and by the end of my 4 month leave, we were both bored of each other. I'm not cut out to be a SAH mom and he's not cut out to be a SAH kid. Me working is better for both of us.
pomegranate / 3355 posts
I'm not sure if it makes our relationship 'better" but what it DOES do is make me cherish the time we do get together. I miss DD all day while at work and no matter how tired and drained I might be as soon as I see her smiling face when I pick her up at daycare my day instantly gets better and everything else melts away. I feel like I have more patience with her b/c the time I am with her I truly want to be the best!
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
It makes me a better mom for sure, which in turn improves our relationship. @hotchildinthecity: YES! E gets bored with us! Lord knows i am super boring/not fun right now, heh.
cantaloupe / 6692 posts
Yes! I was a SAHM for 5 months during the off season at work. I'm much more fulfilled and enjoy my baby more now that I'm back at work. I was just not happy being at home all day talking to no one but a 1 year old. Some moms love it and are good at it because it's hard work. But it wasn't for me.
cantaloupe / 6692 posts
@hotchildinthecity: Haha yes. T was bored of me by the end of my SAHM run. He's much more excited at daycare.
pomelo / 5258 posts
I only SAH during my four month maternity leave but even then it was obvious that LO craves attention from others and lots of interaction. She is her unhappiest at home with me alone. When we are at home she's always asking to be elsewhere or playing with someone else. I can keep up with her social demands on the weekend (barely) but it is exhausting 7 days a week. In that way daycare/working really helps us achieve a happy balance.
pomegranate / 3895 posts
@lawbee11: This exactly. My son watched an embarrassing amount of Grey's Anatomy while I was on maternity leave.
I think I am a better mom to my son because I don't stay home. His school is wonderful and when it's me and him time, I am recharged and SO excited to be with him.
Mad props to SAHMs!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Absolutely. I can keep my cool when I am only around them for bits a time.
grapefruit / 4988 posts
I was never a SAHM but I definitely felt like a better mom after my maternity leave ended and I went back to work. I have no idea how SAHMs do it!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
As much as I want to SAH, I do think WOH makes me have more patience for DD b/c I treasure the time I have with her and in order to "make it up" to her I'm less grumpy with MOTN wakes and other fussiness.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Without a doubt. I have much more patience with her at night when I haven't been with her all day verses the 6pm meltdown on the weekends.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
150% YES! I'm so much happier day to day going to work. Having 2x 1year maternity leave makes me appreciate the stimulation my job gives me so much more. I cherish the time I have with my girls as opposed to just trudging through.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
If my son had his way, he would absolutely want to be home with both my husband and I, 24/7. I don't know what it is, other than to say he's a total homebody. He loves to go to school, but if given the choice, he'd ask to stay at home.
I love working, I know I am one of those strange people, I did it for 13 years before my son was born, so I had my groove.
pineapple / 12526 posts
Absolutely yes. Im happier, and have more patience, which in turn makes her happier.
I was a miserable bitch as a SAHM. Im not cut out for it.
clementine / 806 posts
Absolutely! I was only home for maternity leave (14 weeks), but it was SO much better once I went back to work. Apparently, I am not cut out to be a SAHM.
Even at 7 months old, my LO does so many awesome things at daycare...art projects and stuff we would never do at home - so I like to think that he's enjoying it too!
bananas / 9227 posts
Yes! Except I went back to school and not work. It was glorious. I say "was" because once school got really hectic, it affected my afternoons with LO. I would be busy writing papers instead of playing with her and I noticed a negative change in the way she interacted with me. Now that things have calmed down a bit, I'm working on playing with her more often. I can already see a change
pear / 1739 posts
Thank you for all the feedback. I've been a SAHM of two and before getting that break I call work yesterday I found myself losing my cool with my kids a lot more. It's been pretty bad. I can't wait to go back to work today. Only thing is when I pick them up they will be tired and whiny.
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