https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:35:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134298 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:05:33 +0000 Cherrybee 2134298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely agree with those who said that taking care of their LO is more rewarding and it's infinitely more fun for sure! </p> <p>The thing I really find is that at work the time flies. I get in for 9am and before I know it it's lunch time. Then I look up and it's 2pm....4pm..... and I'm getting ready to leave. On a day I am with DD, we eat some breakfast and, like, 5 minutes has passed. We watch some cartoons and 10 minutes has passed before she's bored. We play with one of her puzzles - 5 minutes. We read some books - 5 minutes. We go out into the garden and play on the slide - 15 whole minutes. Then I look at the clock, thinking it must be nap-time, and it's only 9am!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134276 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:35:35 +0000 bunnylove08 2134276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm exhausted when I'm with my DD. I always give my nanny and daycare mad props when I have to stay home with her. She is so high energy and refuses to nap with me because she wants to just play with me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134185 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:09:02 +0000 ILoveLettie 2134185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, staying at home is harder because of the social isolation. Working at home is definitely the hardest for me: the pressure of getting everything done with a little one who likes to close my computer at less-than-ideal times and the guilt of not being fully present with her. With working at home I never feel truly "on" or "off" duty--everything kind of blends together in a less-than-ideal way. I actually thought I'd love the freedom WAH gives me but I ended up really struggling with it and am so looking forward to starting WOH in a month! But we'll see after a few months of that if it really is easier or harder since I've never actually done it before! I am definitely looking forward to seeing people other than my LO though...I've become so extroverted since becoming a mom! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134178 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:00:55 +0000 Alivoo01 2134178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKoala: Agreed. A day or two isn't bad, but then I start running out of ideas what to do without using my wallet. Thankfully, DS loves the outdoors so we go to the parks a lot, but he still requires supervision (he's 20 months) so it's not like I can let him go roam freely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134125 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:29:38 +0000 MrsKoala 2134125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying at home is harder for me. I love spending time with my LO but keeping him entertained is pretty hard and mentally exhausting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134116 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:26:38 +0000 MoreCoffee 2134116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get more time to myself at work, obviously, and sometimes it's nice to be able to spend a whole day more or less alone. But I find caring for DS easier and way more rewarding. I just feel like life as a SAHP would be more manageable overall, however, I have a great job with awesome benefits so it doesn't make sense for us right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134084 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:16:41 +0000 NovBaby1112 2134084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying home with LO is much, much harder but way more fun! At work, at least I get breaks, can eat lunch in peace, can basically sit at a desk all day, and even crazy busy days aren't as tiring as being home with LO all day! I give SAHM so much credit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo/page/2#post-2134078 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:14:38 +0000 snowjewelz 2134078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Taking care of my 4 mo old ALL DAY, who does not know hot to fall asleep by herself and only has like a 1.5 hr wake time is waaaay more exhausting! BUT, it's more rewarding than sitting at work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133560 Sun, 05 Apr 2015 23:26:01 +0000 Meowkers 2133560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My job is way harder. I so so wish I could be a SAHM but it's not in the cards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133491 Sun, 05 Apr 2015 20:46:16 +0000 Mama Bird 2133491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Taking care of DS is definitely harder! I deal with all kinds of crazy at work, but I can always hide out in the bathroom for a couple of minutes and lock the door. That doesn't work with DS, and besides he hasn't napped at home since he was like one :bummed: That said, if I could leave my job and just take care of him, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Besides, I suspect it's harder to look after him because the job burns me out so much... I don't really know what it's like to not be constantly worn out from the commute, the deadlines, and the attempts to cram all the family time into two hours each evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133394 Sun, 05 Apr 2015 17:24:22 +0000 miramira 2133394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Taking care of LO because I don't get a break! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133275 Sun, 05 Apr 2015 10:44:52 +0000 clover 2133275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In general I would say hanging with my toddler is harder. My work is more mentally exhausting while DS wears me out emotionally (the tantrums) and physically but he is also a heck of a lot more fun. I work part time and if ALL I did on my home days was chill with DS it'd be awesome but staying with a kid usually involves the extra housework which is tough to achieve while entertaining him as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133198 Sun, 05 Apr 2015 05:25:40 +0000 looch 2133198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My job was more challenging when I compare it to the first year of my son's life...we didn't do much that year. </p> <p>Now, though, being home is more challenging just for the sheer fact that he does not follow directions. When I am at work, it's a different level of interaction, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133121 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 22:31:49 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2133121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it just depends what day it is! They're just different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133097 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 22:00:32 +0000 sarac 2133097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My job, by far. Here's a typical day with my three year old: wake up around 8. Watch cartoons for an hour. Lounge around eating breakfast, taking a bath, playing, packing lunch. Leave around noon. Ride our bike somewhere fun. Have fun. Come home, cook dinner, hang out with my husband all together. Chill out in the evening and then do bedtime. </p> <p>That is drastically easier than hunching over a bench or working all day in the hot room. Yeah, I had quiet time to think in those days, but I also spent a lot of time dealing with radioactive junk and doing the very long and tedious process of Science. These days we just hang out and then ride our bike. It's awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133065 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 21:08:45 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2133065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with a lot of bees, my job isn't the problem, it's the balance! A day with my boy is harder actual work but a day of work involves plenty of worry about him and then dealing with him when we're both tired! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2133034 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 20:44:00 +0000 Mae 2133034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying home with LO is harder than my job was... but its also better/way more fun. Also I think my last job was really easy because I WAH so I had all the benefits of being a SAHM like yoga pants and mid-day laundry and none of the challenges, like keeping a tiny person happy and fed and well rested :) </p> <p>Overall I expect that what I'm doing right now (SAHM) is much easier/more fun than when I go back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132971 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 18:51:23 +0000 lemondrop 2132971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Work- I work part time around my husband's schedule and condense the majority of it into a 14 hour day right now. Brutal with very few breaks. I don't really have a choice but to bust ass. </p> <p>At home with the boys I can choose what we do and how hard we go each day. If I want a pajama day, I can pretty much do it. Being the at home parent is exhausting and I am ready for my work day, but it is definitely easier than my work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132965 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 18:41:11 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2132965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now, LO! I LOVE him and LOVE spending time with him, but he is a handful :)<br /> Although my job is busy it's not "hard".</p> <p>However, once I graduate with my nursing degree this fall, ask me again once I've worked a few months as an RN ;) My clinical days are definitely harder than being with LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132947 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 18:03:20 +0000 artsyfartsy 2132947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done both. Honestly, before kids I thought they were always both hard work, but staying home was a little less stressful since you were AT HOME and more comfortable and enjoying being with your kids. Then today I had the whole day with LO after working all week, and I'm more worn out now than after a day of work!</p> <p>SAH is definitely harder for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132943 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 17:58:07 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2132943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a writer and I really enjoy what I do. I only work 25 hours a week, so my job is not hard. I think staying home with the girls all day is way harder. Solo dinner and bedtime is no joke! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132939 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 17:45:04 +0000 Ree723 2132939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My previous jobs were far harder than being home with my LOs! I love being home with them and even the challenging moments are far outweighed by the good - it's busy but it doesn't feel like hard work to me. </p> <p>It probably doesn't hurt that my previous professions (I had two) were extremely challenging and are known to have high burn out rates.....being home with my babies was a cakewalk after those jobs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132900 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:37:19 +0000 MenagerieMama 2132900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: agree as well. Plus at my job I don't get breaks (when I take one pumping break per shift I get angry patients) and most people I deal with are sick and frustrated and often irritated with me because I don't always agree with Dr. Google. At least when LO is having a hard time she doesn't blame me! And I will get to see her smiling face. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132899 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:36:42 +0000 jedeve 2132899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: that's totally how I feel. Yes, my job was mentally hard, but I enjoy doing things that are mentally hard so I didn't mind. </p> <p>And yes to the alone time! I could just walk across the street for lunch. Or schedule a dentist appointment on my lunch break. Or run into target on my way to daycare. I never really factored that in! And now everything I do I have to do with kids. Or have DH come watch the kids for an hour on his lunch break, but then have him stay later that night. </p> <p>That's why I laugh at myself for thinking I did everything SAHMd do plus work, because I had childcare!! And even if 95% of the time LO was in care, I was at work - well doing those remaining 5% of things take a lot longer now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132897 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:26:57 +0000 illumina 2132897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's hard to compare them, or maybe it's been too long since I had a job, but I'd say working was harder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132892 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:09:45 +0000 blackbird 2132892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My current job is so easy and mind numbing, it's a problem, lol. Plus, this pregnant? All I want to do is sit. Hanging with E is more fun, though </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132889 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:02:49 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2132889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I meant my job is EASIER. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132886 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:00:38 +0000 MrsMccarthy 2132886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's 10 times more rewarding for me so I feel happier doing it but caring for my kids is the hardest job I've ever had. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132866 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 15:33:40 +0000 Andrea 2132866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a SAHM now and working at my last job was way easier! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-harder-your-job-past-or-present-or-spending-the-day-with-your-lo#post-2132863 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 15:25:55 +0000 SweetiePie 2132863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really can't decide because they both have such pros and cons.<br /> Although work is mentally more challenging, I had way more alone time. Even if I was working, I was at my desk alone. Yeah, I was busy most of the day, but it was easier to stop what I was doing and go get a coffee to destress. And I definitely had slower days, maybe once every 2 weeks when I just didn't feel like working and could leave early or just veg at my computer all day. Or coworkers stopping by to chat for a while. With my LO, there isn't a day where I can say "I just don't feel like doing this today". You have to do it every single day. And weekends are the same as weekdays. Not really a break. Especially from 0-4 months. I was miserable at home and longed for work. And it is lonely sometims. </p> <p>That being said - I'm in a pretty easy stage right now. He's 7 months and sitting on his own and easier to entertain. He's still immobile so I'm not chasing him. And he still naps 4-5 hours a day. Sooooo...my life at home is pretty darn easy right now. And with weather finally (sorta maybe) getting nicer, I'm enjoying being out with him. Which is why I've decided to put off going back to work for another 6 months. And why I've decided to put off having another kid for a year :silly: </p> <p>So, work is mentally harder (problem solving, deadlines, demanding coworkers and bosses, etc) but home is emotionally/physically harder. I truly cannot say definitively which I think is overall harder. </p>