Affording to Stay at Home

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2007
Affording to Stay at Home
1968
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 12:20am

Ever notice that those moms that SAH are usually (although not always) more well off than mothers who WOH? It seems to me, based on what I have seen, that while most women enjoy working their jobs and having a professional life outside of the home, some women prefer to stay home with their kids for a certain amount of time - whether it be 1 year or 10 years - and those women have the option to do so, while other women wouldn't even consider the option because they feel they can't afford it.

Well, it has been my experience that most women who do stay at home have

1) husbands who support the idea

2) Husbands who probably earn enough (or almost enough) to support the family.

3) Enough money to support themselves without working.

**Now I am not talking about people who get help from government agencies, I am speaking about women who do it with no outside help - just seems like most women can't because of financial reasons. So, is being a SAH mom now an "upper class" phenomenon - in general? Of course there are many SAH moms that are middle class, but if they chose to have paying jobs, they'd probably move right back up into that higher income bracket.

Blythe

http://beaworkathomemom.blogspot.com/

Working on being...Supermom!

Blythe http://beaworkathomemom.blogspot.com/ Working on being...Supermom!

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2005
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 4:47pm
I bet the Weavers' mom went to public school herself!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-18-2007
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 4:49pm

Its very true. While my intentions in posting that were to point out that SES is not the only factor in getting into a good college it did give an opportunity to put out there that many people stay home (at least here anyhow) to homeschool and to point out that it isnt what it used to be. I know that my sister Becky's grades

ASMonkeyfoot-BF SAHM to Ariel 4/11/08 and Mason 3/22/10 
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2005
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 5:15pm

Actually the math should include the Mom's drive-time and lunch-time. If she drives just one hour to and from and takes an hour lunch you have an additonal ten hours a week.

Also why not include the baby's typical need to sleep often - I would say if a baby has sleep patterns developed then he's gonna be most alert during the time he's in daycare.

If you are doing laundry, housework and making meals, shopping etc., then those tasks are being done during your time that baby is with you - not when he's at the daycare.

Do the Math again ;). Are you possibly trying to fool yourself? What little I do work, I have lots of guilt for various reasons...especially when I have to work during times that were not originally planned for work. I do understand the guilt...and I do believe we can all find a happy balance for our families, not all situations are unhealthy either way, again it all boils down to parenting and making the most of your time.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2005
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 5:50pm

I think sustainable farming might be more common if the government wasn't in charge of our food. I had many farmers express that to me in the four years I worked for the FDA.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2005
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 5:54pm
No, it wouldn't be if red-tape and bureaucracy weren't a part of farming. It wouldn't be a part of farming if the educated children stayed on the farm and fought the government.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2007
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 6:12pm

No, I think auto mechanic was a perfect example for you to use. It sends a clear and obvious message of your point of view. And it tells us everything we need to know about it.

Of course, I'm guessing that it's not really the message you intended, but I've been wrong before.

~~~~~~~~~

Kitty

"I think Noonan is at least eight years too late when she laments that faith now trumps competence in GOP politics. It didn't seem to bother her much when a candidate she supported -- the catastrophically underqualified GWB -- was running and citing Jesus as his favorite political philosopher...It's like the old saying: When you lie down with dogs, you wake up with Hucka-fleas..."--Gator


Click on the Virginia Rescue Center and search for Roxey, VA5165

~~~~~~~~~

Kitty

"BTW, I hate Lifetime. Their movies will suck you in and all of a sudden you've watched 3 in a row, used every tissue in t

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2007
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 6:14pm

So, it's your stated opinion that auto mechanics do not attend college, read books, attend cultural events or are active in their communities?

Interesting.

~~~~~~~~~

Kitty

"I think Noonan is at least eight years too late when she laments that faith now trumps competence in GOP politics. It didn't seem to bother her much when a candidate she supported -- the catastrophically underqualified GWB -- was running and citing Jesus as his favorite political philosopher...It's like the old saying: When you lie down with dogs, you wake up with Hucka-fleas..."--Gator


Click on the Virginia Rescue Center and search for Roxey, VA5165

~~~~~~~~~

Kitty

"BTW, I hate Lifetime. Their movies will suck you in and all of a sudden you've watched 3 in a row, used every tissue in t

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2005
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 6:22pm

I agree with you. And if anything is carried down through the generations it is the babble that poor people are forever poor and don't stand a chance. Unfortunately that mentality does come from growing up around people who think everything wrong with their life can be blamed on someone else. It is not a generational thing in some poor families but in the past is has always been a common mentality among many. I hope we see that changing now that we can see inspirational *poor* people on-screen.

Being poor does build character so there is a positive side to being poor but not dirt-poor. So many are not taught to use that character for the greater good though. I think the lack of motivation is the result of teaching a child that they don't have a chance based on SES. Motivation can be stronger with a lack of money, for some kids it's having the strength to go against all odds. For some kids it is the ability to humble oneself after being raised with too much.

Avatar for 4thekids2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 6:26pm

I have friends like that too, they are unlicensed and watch way too many kids at once. I was talking about working in a center in the city I live in. Once my kids are all in school I don't want a houseful of kids all day.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2007
Wed, 12-26-2007 - 6:29pm
How is ducky's living situation relevant? Does she live in a bad neighborhood? Are you in possession of evidence to demonstrate that her living there has harmed her children? Or is this one of those secret information things that you like to brag about without having any real substantiation, but we're all just supposed to believe you?

~~~~~~~~~

Kitty

"I think Noonan is at least eight years too late when she laments that faith now trumps competence in GOP politics. It didn't seem to bother her much when a candidate she supported -- the catastrophically underqualified GWB -- was running and citing Jesus as his favorite political philosopher...It's like the old saying: When you lie down with dogs, you wake up with Hucka-fleas..."--Gator


Click on the Virginia Rescue Center and search for Roxey, VA5165

~~~~~~~~~

Kitty

"BTW, I hate Lifetime. Their movies will suck you in and all of a sudden you've watched 3 in a row, used every tissue in t

Pages