https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 00:13:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1368561 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 20:42:44 +0000 MrsEmm 1368561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really like reading everybody's feedback because I've been thinking about staying at home after bub is born. We really want to have a second straight away, and my job is not one that you could do easily part time - it would just be twice as stressful!</p> <p>I think my husband is also happy about that. All of his friends and colleagues' wives stay at home so it seems normal to him. Plus currently we share household duties, but I can see that he would prefer coming home and having time to relax rather than having to juggle groceries, cooking dinner, dog walking, cleaning, laundry etc. And we don't even have children yet! I think we would both be happier if I could spend my time running the house and he could spend his time making the money. But at the same time it obviously makes me nervous because we would all be relying on his income alone. It's a little bit scary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1368424 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:59:51 +0000 Sparkler 1368424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: It's obviously a very personal decision, but me working part time has just seemed to make everything with our family click and feel right! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1366599 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:45:47 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1366599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sparkler: You paint such a great picture of working part-time! Very tempting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1366134 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:27:26 +0000 mrsjyw 1366134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work from home part time and work at the office part time. I am GRATEFUL to have this flex schedule. I don't see myself ever wanting it just one way or the other. I am very very fortunate to have a job that allows me to be at home with DS more than weekends, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1366130 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:26:25 +0000 LuLu Mom 1366130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If staying home parttime were an option I would totally choose it, however that being said I"m currently WOHM &amp; we've discussed me SAH but I honestly scared that it wouldn't be for me. I like having interaction frequently so I think that partime would be a perfect medium for me. I could still get my interaction but spend more time with LO. My job doesn't allow it at this time though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1366080 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:13:08 +0000 Alivoo01 1366080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd love to be a SAHM!! During my maternity leave and even if I have an extended weekend/holiday, DS and I get into an awesome routine and I just <i>know</i> him. I know how to read his sleepy cues even though they change as he gets older. I know how to put him down so he goes to sleep quickly, etc. I know they don't do this at daycare because when I share my experience with them so they can continue the routine, they always report back at the end of the day he wouldn't do it for them aka it didn't work. blah!!</p> <p>Don't get me wrong, I love my career and advancing, but the first year of a baby's life is so BIG! They learn and grow so much!!! I think part-time would be a great compromise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1366050 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:01:20 +0000 fairy 1366050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I decided to play it by ear when I was pregnant, expecting that I would not want to go back to work, and so I expected to be a SAHM and I am! The hardest thing for me at first was letting go of the feeling that I am spending "my husband's money" and getting used to the idea that my work is never done but that is okay! With working outside the home there are usually tangible tasks and goals so you can easily feel like you did something that day but at home I just see all the things that need to be done around the house and some clingy teething days I don't get much done other than taking care of my daughter! And that's okay :) I love being a sahm, it's my dream job lol. I am doing some work part-time from home to bring in a little $ and to have a little project for me and a housewife friend of mine and if it takes off I can see this being my job after my daughter is in school (if I don't homeschool). Right now I have no desire to go back to working outside the home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1365717 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:29:44 +0000 Sparkler 1365717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I recently started working part time and it's amazing. I took an extended maternity leave with my first, went back full time for about a year and a half, took another 6 month leave with my second and then was able to negotiate a part time schedule. I honestly have never been happier. I don't think I am SAHM material, but I had a panic attack around the time my toddler was 2.5, fully conversational and I felt like life was going by too fast. I love working, using my brain, staying current, contributing to retirement, having lunch with friends, shopping at lunch, reading on the train, etc AND I love 2 extra days home with my kids, watching them learn, laugh, staying in my pjs, baking, meeting new mom friends and doing classes with my kids, running errands and doing laundry so our weekends are total family time. I am an attorney too and I never really thought this was an option until I asked! Cannot recommend enough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1356894 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 14:06:37 +0000 looch 1356894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made the decision to stay at home while on maternity leave because we didn't have any reasonable child care options (by reasonable I mean less than 40 minutes driving in the direction opposite of our employment). I returned to work just after my son turned two.</p> <p>Part of why I wanted to return to work was because I was in a strange environment with no support. I was alone a lot and for someone that was used to being around people 24/7, it was a shock and I didn't always handle it well. So, if it were to happen again, we're now in a different area and that wouldn't be an issue. Not sure if that is helpful or not.</p> <p>If you have the chance, I say take it. You don't know how it is going to be until you try it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to/page/2#post-1356424 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:14:52 +0000 MrsBrewer 1356424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If money were not an issue, I would stay at home full time. I would love to be a stay at home wife, and then mom truthfully! I would be so productive. I don't enjoy working at all. I'm an accountant, and I'm good at my job, I'm great with numbers. Don't get me wrong I put everything right now into my job/career. But if it were up to me, I would gladly stay at home. I definitely don't want/need to work to feel fulfilled. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356419 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:11:38 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1356419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't think I wanted to SAH with R until my maternity leave came to an end. I went back to work and after a few weeks, I knew I needed more time with her so I quit. She is now 7 months, and I was asked if I was ready to come back, and I decided to. </p> <p>I really don't know that there is a perfect solution, and I will second guess every decision. If I could work part time and it made sense financially, I would do it. The past month or so, I have really questioned my ability to provide R with the interaction and learning that she needs. I know I over think everything but when shes not hitting milestones, I wonder if daycare would help that. </p> <p>Luckily, I am only contracted until the end of May, so if I yet again decide SAH is better, I can stop at that point. Anyways, I'm proof that regardless which side of the field your on, the grass isn't greener. There are positives and negatives to each situation and you just have to look at your options and decide at the time which is best! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356359 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:58:47 +0000 bhbee 1356359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think part time is the holy grail if you have any interest in your career. I may actually go against that and stay home in the next couple years, because my current part-time gig might cease to exist. but I feel like in part-time you get most of the benefits of both worlds. time at home with kids, weekday activities, a more relaxed schedule on those days. but also - keeping up to date with work/skills, keeping your resume and network going, bringing in some cash, having adult time, etc.</p> <p>I should add - I've always wanted to be a SAHM. and I think I would love it in the short term. but I've always planned to work when the kids go to school and I'm worried about getting back in at that point. I worked several years to set up the part-time gig I have now . . . those things don't come up easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356287 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:42:09 +0000 MamaMoose 1356287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm at WOHM so I don't have personal experience, but thought it would be helpful to share my own mother's experience. My mom WOH when my brother was little, but once I was born and they moved to a new place, she decided to stay home full time. I think when we were really little she was very happy, but the older we got, the more she regretted her decision. As we became more and more independent and needed her less, I think she felt lost. She regretted not keeping up with a career (at least part time) so she had something to easily get back into when we were grown. Just something to think about that while you may love it in the the short term, you have to think about the long term too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356192 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:16:02 +0000 lemondrop 1356192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Running Elley: , once my boy was a year we had so much more fun hanging out together! It's only getting funner with each month that goes by. It would be great timing for your kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356176 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:11:21 +0000 lemondrop 1356176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Part time was the only way for me to keep my sanity. I feel like I appreciate my stay at home days that much more and we do more on those days to make the most of our time.</p> <p>I love being home most of the time, but I really love my work too!! I feel mentally challenged, I can contribute a little to our family income, and I can be around grownups who don't (always) throw tantrums. </p> <p>There are crazy days where I feel like everyone needs something and finding a balance is hard, but I really need that outlet to be happiest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356070 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:44:55 +0000 Mamaof2 1356070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was "forced" to work PT in December (budget cuts) and I liked it!!!</p> <p>I worked from 730 to 1230 - picked up kids from DCP at 1pm - we got home and DD took a nap while me and DS did an activity. </p> <p>It was a great mix of working and getting some extra time with the kids! Plus my house was way cleaner and I did all the "chores" thru out the week - come Saturday and Sunday it was all relaxing - pretty nice!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1356055 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:41:29 +0000 Thenetexan 1356055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never wanted to be a SAHM mom (for many years I was even certain that I did not want to be a mom). I was very career focused and was on an executive track. I worked for the dame company for 15 years. I took 6 months off with every intent to go back. And then I couldn't do it. I could not imagine being away from LO for 10+ hours a day. Part of my thought process was that I can always go back to work (sure the time away will have a negative impact) but I won't get these years back with my LO. I tried to see if there were PT options, but my company<br /> didn't really do PT. I did and do think that would be a good<br /> balance. I agree with PPs, some days are long, lonely, and hard but overall I find it rewarding to be the primary care giver and be there for all the developments. I still have no regrets and LO is just over two. I am honestly still often surprised at my choice and happiness with it. That said, I feel like PT gives you the best of both worlds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355807 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 06:30:34 +0000 mjane 1355807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love working part-time. I would love it even more if my part-time job entailed regular adult interaction in person (instead of on the phone). But, still, it's a great balance!</p> <p>A friend told me yesterday I was living the dream--I was like, I am?!? Wait, maybe I am!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355724 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 00:59:01 +0000 mrs. wagon 1355724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been both full time SAHM and part time WOHM. I love part time! I feel like I have the best of both worlds! I get to be at home with my kids 3-4 days a week, and I get to work a full day 3-4 days a week. I love it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355673 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 23:47:47 +0000 Running Elley 1355673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose to be a SAHM. It's really the only "profession" I've ever wanted and I'm so thrilled that I'm finally living out my dream!</p> <p>The hardest part was when DS was a newborn-8ish months. I felt like I needed to be doing stuff with him but there wasn't really much I could do with an infant so I felt guilty. It was also hard to get out of the house, I didn't have friends with babies and I was still to shy to try out story times, etc by myself.</p> <p>Now that he's 15 months every day is SO fun! I seriously have such a blast with him and I'm infinitely happier/more fulfilled as a SAHM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355653 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 23:29:59 +0000 luckypenny 1355653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love staying home but am definitely the type of person who likes adult interactions frequently so once the little ones are a little older I would definitely consider a part time job but never full time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355605 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:57:25 +0000 AprilFool 1355605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even on the tough days I don't regret it. Sure there are days it is incredibly hard and draining but I didn't love my job every second of every day. And the fun bits are a lot more awesome at home ;) I am lucky because it was an easy decision for us and DH was on board but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355603 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:56:48 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1355603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I knew I wouldn't be satisfied unless I gave it a try. I just felt that it was something I wanted to do at some point, and not knowing what it would be like, I was willing to take the risk.</p> <p>Now, I can say I do not regret it at all. I will admit there are times I feel I may go completely insane, but that is more just because of the nature of being a parent. Once my son started STTN, being an SAHM got a lot more tolerable.</p> <p>There are things that frustrate me, like that my career options are limited. But I mostly get frustrate with that from a social perspective (like, why can't we get decent maternity leaves, etc), it doesn't make me regret my decision.</p> <p>I definitely plan to return back to work as soon as I feel comfortable/we are done adding to our family! This year I am also teaching one class and I do appreciate try chance to get out/dressed up, but it is also difficult to find time to grade papers, etc., while being the daytime parent. So part time work is great but it requires juggling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355583 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:43:34 +0000 yerpie110 1355583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work part time and it honestly makes me feel like I have the best of both worlds. I am focused when at work, present when I am at home, and feel very little guilt in between. I could never be working full time or be a SAHM, so really, I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355567 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:36:46 +0000 MrsF 1355567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel so lucky to work part time (two 12 hour days or nights per week). It really is what works best for me. After spending the last three days with my lovable, adorable, whiny toddler I'm almost happy to be going to work tomorrow! SAH reminds me why I love my job and every day that I work makes me miss M and renews my excitement to be at home with her. I don't know how full time SAH or WOH moms do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355540 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:21:27 +0000 sarac 1355540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, zero regrets here. I love it! I'm glad I got my degree and some work experience before starting my tenure as a SAHM. And I'm REALLY thankful for the opportunity to volunteer and pad out my resume for an eventual return to work. I have a toddler, and hopefully another one in the near future. I'd like to go back to work part time in a few years, but I'd always like to be home, taking care of our family and home, part time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355522 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:13:46 +0000 mrsbookworm 1355522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm still adjusting to being a sahm. I worked for 15 years so it feels strange to not have that other life anymore. I don't regret it because I think it's what's best for my family, but I do miss the adult interaction and intellectual stimulation. Meeting up with other moms has helped, but if I could work part-time I probably would. I plan to go back to work once he's in school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355521 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:13:41 +0000 deerylou 1355521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't want to be a SAHM before, during, or right after pregnancy. It wasn't until my maternity leave started dwindling, that I felt the desire to remain home with our daughter for an extended period of time. I made the choice to stay home for a combination of reasons - financial, logistical, and emotional. </p> <p>I am really connected to my career choice and excited about returning, when the opportunity presents itself, and the timing is right. A large part of my identity is tied to the path I've taken, in the working world. It's still difficult to be away from my students and colleagues; I struggle with that transition, at times. I'm also not the most domestic (unless you count my OCD cleaning habits, but those have been with me for a long time), so I have trouble feeling reinforced after preparing a meal, or doing four loads of laundry. My husband and I work hard to maintain a steady stream of positive feedback - both for what he does at the office, and what I do in the home.</p> <p>I absolutely love being with our daughter. Our bond is immense and strong, and I'm happy to be the one providing daily care, during her infancy. I do not regret my decision, but know that I would, if I never returned to work. There is too much left for me to accomplish and advocate for, professionally. I will indeed be sad to leave my daughter in the care of a provider, when that time comes, but do look forward to the next chapter for our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355508 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:10:11 +0000 jedeve 1355508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work part time and love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-to-stay-home-and-were-able-to#post-1355495 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:03:38 +0000 Ree723 1355495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always planned on being a SAHM until my children are in school full time as it's something that is super important to me, and fortunately, DH as well. LO is nearly 19 months now and I haven't regretted it for a second. I had a solid career and eight years in my chosen profession before becoming a mum, but I infinitely prefer what I'm doing now. I frequently say to DH that I could not imagine leaving our DD every day to go to work - for me, no amount of professional satisfaction is going to come close to the satisfaction I receive from being there for my child every day.</p> <p>Now that's not to say there aren't tough days when I would love to be 'using my brain' and taking coffee breaks with some adult interaction, but the benefits of being the one home with my child, meeting her needs every day, far outweighs those momentary twinges. </p> <p>I do plan on returning to work once the kids are in school, but for now, I am happy being home with my child (soon to be children) and watching them grow. The time flies by so quickly as it is, I don't want to miss any more of it than absolutely necessary. </p>