I'm a WOHM because mamma is bringing home the bacon (I only barely make more than my hubby - but I like to think I bring home the bacon).
If finances were no object, would you work or be home? I think there are challenges in being a WOHM, WAHM, and SAHM (being a mom is tough work no matter how you do it). What would you do?
157 votes
kiwi / 613 posts
Definitely be a WOHM. I need my adult time. I would work less hours though.
coconut / 8483 posts
I don't know yet, but the plan right now is for me to stay home. I think I would like to work part time, so we will eventually do that if I still want that after staying home 
honeydew / 7909 posts
I'd either a) stay home or b) work closer to home. Right now, my job is 70 minutes away and once this baby comes, I think it's going to feel way too far away. I'd love to be able to stay at home and raise our kiddos.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
I am a WOHM even though we can (comfortably) afford for me to stay at home . . . while I still waffle with the decision on a daily basis, my reasons are largely long-term considerations versus short-term considerations such as I would likely want to return to work once she is older/ in school, and the type of role model I want to be for my LO. That being said, were I to get completely out of my profession, it would be incredibly difficult to get back in. That is a consideration as well.
There are other issues as well (such as not putting the entire burden of our livelihood all on DH's shoulders (no matter how capable he is!).
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
Money isn't the reason I continue to work. I work because I worked hard to get my undergraduate and masters degree and CPA. If I was SAHM, I would be set back in my career and pobably lose my certification.
coconut / 8234 posts
I would work part-time. I need my adult time outside of the home and using my skills. But I also need and want my time with LO.
cherry / 116 posts
@CottonCandy: I could definitely get on the working less hours bandwagon. I work 40-42 hours/week now and that is tough with a baby.
@ASH: That commute is a killer!
As much as I enjoy my adult time.... part of me could really envision staying home. I feel like I don't do a good enough job at work or at home because I'm pulled so many directions. I would love to have more time to craft, plan meals, play with my son, etc. Part of me wonders if I would want to go back to work and regret leaving the industry. I would imagine it could be difficult to find a job once you take some time off.
cherry / 116 posts
@MsLipGloss: That's exactly my fear if I didn't work.... about the ability to get back into my profession if I had a change of heart.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@littlek: The *blood, sweat, and tears* equity is a compelling consideration! It's downright depressing to think that it could all just go *poof* in just a few short months!
pineapple / 12566 posts
I WAHM and it is my ideal situation. But for my kind of work, there aren't that many office jobs
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
I'd love to work part time and finish my masters until LO went to school, and then work full time. Not an option, but it'd be nice!
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@alleyflowers: I will also share that even while I was pg I wanted to go back to work full time. Once I had LO though, things changed dramatically for me. The only reason I went back (and am back) is because I knew that it was a really emotional time in my life and for that reason I was ill-equipped at that time to make such a drastic decision . . . and that I couldn't make the decision if I didn't, in fact, return to work. It has been an ongoing emotional battle for me (including dealing with ridiculous comments about how I should stay home because I can and that there is no *good* reason for me to work) . . . . *sigh*
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
@MsLipGloss: Dude are we secret twins? We're in the exact same situation. DH can more than provide for us but I'd like to work after our kids are in school and giving up my current career just doesn't make sense long term.
I also really like pretty things (lol!) so working makes it easier for us to afford said things. Lastly, I feel more balanced as a WOHM. I got a little nutty when I SAH during my mat leave and looking back I'm happy to be working now.
If I could have everything I ever wanted, my work would be 2 minutes from home instead of 35 but that's about it.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@prettylizy: Yes, yes we are . . . Trixie hobbitses the both of us!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I always knew I wanted to stay at home. And child care is so expensive that it doesn't make a big difference financially. But I also have been burnt out on my job and ready for a big change when I eventually am ready to woh again anyway.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
I've done both so I 100% know that I am built to be a WOHM! I feel like I have the best of both worlds by working 4 days a week.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
NO desire to SAH! We could afford for me to SAHM. Lots of engineers' wives don't work. But I work for other reasons :). Money is a nice factor, though. I like vacations 
I'd work part time. But probably keep LO in daycare full time, LOL. OK, 4 days a week. This way I could have some time to run errands, do hobbies, work out, make dinner, etc, have family time every night, and have plenty of time with the baby. Without messing up her schedule and playtime!
grapefruit / 4923 posts
i voted part-time. i would only do this if we also had the money to afford a nanny. i do not think i could be a part- or full-time SAHM. it sounds like so much work and takes a kind of energy and patience that i do not have. and while i would love to be a lady of leisure, i did vote part-time work because i think i need some structure to my day.
pomegranate / 3204 posts
I would love to be a SAHM if money wasn't an object! I work out of home now 40 hours a week and I miss my baby so much!
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
I love being home! Ppl ask me all the time if I miss working and I say no way
I wonder though, if I would still want to be a SAHM if I was in a profession I loved. I was an attorney and hated every single moment/aspect of my job. I think I may have felt differently if I enjoyed my job...
persimmon / 1281 posts
I'm in the same position as you! DH makes slightly more than I do but without one of our incomes significant changes would have to be made.
After LO I hope to be a SAHM for a while then eventually work part time. I am so over spending 10 hours outside of our home every day... hate it! But just like the grass is always greener concept... I might also resent always being at home.
honeydew / 7667 posts
I wouldn't want to be a SAHM. I like my job. If money were no object I'd just retire
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
I voted part time but right now I don't feel strongly about anything..I could work or stay at home and be fine with it.
coconut / 8472 posts
In a perfect world I'd work part time 3-4 days a week. But I would never be able to be a full time SAHM. We could probably swing it financially if I wanted to, but I definitely can't see myself wanting to SAH after LOs go to school, and I think it would be pretty tough for me to get back into my industry. I also like the lifestyle it affords and the opportunities I'll be able to provide my kids.
But LO's not even here yet and sometimes I do get envious of the fun stuff my friend is always doing with her 15 month old. Maybe because it's summer and they can get out a lot. I'd probably have less to covet in the winter.
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
@MsLipGloss: nice! I totally get what you mean about it being difficult to re-enter the legal profession after leaving. I struggled with this hugely while trying to figure out what to do. Ultimately, I realized that I disliked being an atty enough to risk not practicing again. Too bad it took five yrs of being unhappy at various jobs and an obscene amount of loans to figure it out !
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I would love to work part time. My work is fulfilling to me, I like contributing financially to my family, I like the flexibility it allows us to save AND spend more freely, and I like being an example to my daughter of a successful career woman. That being said, it's really hard to juggle all the responsibilities. Staying home has it's own challenges, but the fact of the matter is there are less things on your plate, so I wouldn't feel spread so thin. And I miss my girl, a LOT. I can't allow myself to think about how much time we spend apart from each other because it breaks my heart. But my profession just doesn't really allow for part time work.
pear / 1992 posts
I would be a SAHM for my kids childhoods and then after they leave the nest, I would be content to be a housewife! In a heartbeat.
Sure I love my job, I'm good at it, I worked hard to earn my degree and value my education. But really, I would much rather be at home playing with and teaching my LO, taking care of our household and my husband if I could.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
No financial worries at all I would either stay home or work part time.
papaya / 10473 posts
I would quit right this second to be a SAHM if it made financial sense for us. Ideally, I'd like to go back to school for something else part time/online/at night and go back to work when DS is older.
nectarine / 2132 posts
@lindseykaye: this! i am a sahm and honestly have no desire to go back to work, ever. i'm not saying i won't, especially if we needed the income, but if i never woh again, i'd be a ok.
coconut / 8475 posts
I (am) would, stay home for this one and the next, but within 4 years, I will be working and won't stop after that. Once I get into th workforce, I won't quit. My first two children will be old enough to be in school & we will just have 1 in daycare. That is if all goes to plan and we have #2 in the next 12 months and a third later in our lives.
pomelo / 5258 posts
I always thought I would be a SAHM. Turns out it just wasn't for me in the baby stage. I'd love to work part time and/or cut out my hour and a half drive home.
grapefruit / 4862 posts
If I could, I'd be a SAHM. When the kid(s) went to school though I'd want to work part time to keep my days full.
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