Hellobee Boards

Haha - grass is always greener, right?!

I definitely identify with this! Although we really did need the extra income- I got a job mostly because I had the desire to. But now that I'm back at school FT, I wish I didn't have to work. But now it's necessity to put me through school - so I get jealous of the moms in my program whose husbands can financially support paying their tuition and kids' daycare so they can 100% focus on school.

Before I was back at school - I did find that working my PT schedule has been the best of both worlds. I make enough $$ to make a difference, save a bit and have a teensy bit of fun money, while also having tons of time with my kid. Even after I graduate and hopefully become a nurse, my ideal schedule is 32 hours or less a week.

I think I'm more jealous when I hear about them doing fun things while I'm at work. Like going to the park, museum, swimming classes, etc. Plus, with my job it doesn't end when I leave the office, I get client demands 24/7. I don't have to work but I enjoy it. There's pros and cons on both sides.

Oh when I talk to my SAHM friends I get kind of jealous and my LO isn't even here yet! I think it's because they don't have to work that I am jealous whereas I do.

Yes, I also don't know if I could handle being a SAHM, I love my daughter but I think adult interaction is needed for me to stay sane. However, I got totally jealous of a friend who just quit her job to stay home, I kept wishing it was an option for me! I wish I could be a part time career woman, and a part time stay at home mommy, I want the best of both worlds!

@Cherrybee: I think the job I DO have plays into it a lot. It was fine for the first year, but I'm bored now. It's redundant and not extremely satisfying. For the most part, it's a pretty thankless job that people take for granted. I would be fine without recognition, except that we're usually treated like our job is worthless, and told as much by some more outspoken patients. So I've struggled with that a lot too. I think once I become a nurse and feel like my work is beneficial and meaningful - it will truly make a difference! Happiness at work definitely has an impact on whether someone might want to SAH or WOH.

I think about it on a daily basis. I am SAHM right now and I often search for daycares because I feel like working out of the home may be a better option for me. And then I think about missing my girls and then I decide not to work. When I worked pre-baby, I hated waking up everyday to go to work and was SO excited to stay at home with the kids. Now, I never realized how hard it would be to be at home. I never get to sleep in, I don't get sick days, blah blah blah. I need to work on making the most of what i'm doing RIGHT NOW.

No. I have the best of both worlds - I work from home part-time. I am also supremely lucky to have my mom to help with LO three days a week. I feel very, very lucky.

Before I started working part time though, I will say I had moments where I missed having a career, and I worried a little bit about my female professional contacts judging me for quitting. (I hate that that's a thing but it is.) Now, though, I feel like I have struck a such a good balance. I only hope that we can continue to afford for me to only work part-time & not have to return full-time.

Most of my friends are either SAHMs or still on maternity leave, but I do get jealous of Dh often because I see it as he can just escape each day and talk to other adults and do interesting, stimulating work. Though I know if he offered to swap, I wouldn't take it because I know I have it better overall right now.

@Cherrybee: yes, it's weird isn't it? I know lots of Mums that went back to work, but I wouldn't say I was friends with them, just worked with them. Bearing in mind I have lots of friends who haven't had kids yet, and those that have, had them quite young and weren't career people at all. Also, for a lot of them the cost of childcare so they could go back to work wouldn't be worth it, based on the amount they earnt.