Is is "hard" being a sahm?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2004
Is is "hard" being a sahm?
2242
Sat, 04-24-2004 - 1:25pm
For many years now, I have heard the claim that being a sahm is the hardest job in the world. I never chimed in, because I didn't know first hand. I stayed home for 6 weeks when my twin daughters, Sophia and Stephanie (almost 4) were born. And that was hard, because I had 2 newborns. Now, almost 4 years later, I have resigned my job and am staying home again. I can god-honestly say that I don't know what's so hard about this. I personally feel like I am on easy street, but maybe that's because I haven't been at it that long. I feel like I am on vacation. It takes no longer than a couple hours a day to do the housework, and the rest of the time is free time for me and the girls. We have gone to the park, the zoo, chuck e cheeses, and I know not every day is going to be like this, but I feel like I am making up for lost time. My children seem happy and relaxed. The only hard thing about this is that they have gotten into some pretty raging fights with each other, but the fights have ended with quick intervention. I guess I am just wondering how long before this becomes "The hardest job in the world" and I start looking like a zombie, complaining that my husband doesn't help me, and so on? Or do I seriously have the choice not to turn into that? Also, do you think that at the rate I am going, I am at risk for getting bored staying home?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:01am

Thanks, we'll make it, we always do...this has just been a tough year all the way around.


And yup..TGIF!!!! Just wish it would stop drizzling and get sunny here so I can take the lil' darlings out.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:02am
Do you HONESTLY mean to suggest after all the bellyaching you've done on this thread about NEVER getting time to yourself or a lunch hour that we're supposed to believe "we miss out on nothing."????

If I mail you a pack of 3x5 cards do you think you could stick to one story?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:11am

Actually I am seriously considering it.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:13am
Please do ramble, I asked and I'm very curious....

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:21am
As a SAHM with several children close together, I have mixed feelings about the day when I ship them all off to school. On one hand, it will be nice to concentrate on things other than the daily care of small children. On the other hand, it is what I've done for the past eight years so it will be bittersweet to have that part of my life over; I'm sure I will miss it. Some people look forward to change and others dread it. I look forward to having more opportunities to choose what I do with my time. But I am not in a hurry to hand my kids over. In fact, as soon as all of my children are in school, I will consider homeschooling (or partial homeschooling) my older children which is something I look forward to.

I will say that my fourth child--who is male and has a July birthday--is going to school "on time." I have no desire to keep him home an extra year as is one of the trends in our community.

Edited to add: I didn't realize that this was about money. I have no idea if it will be more or less expensive to have all the kids in school. Our lives seem to be getting more expensive, never less so I would have to imagine that we will spend less running around town entertaining ourselves during the day and more on kid's activities and school expenses. The money I spend on babysitting during the day I'd probably still spend but for evening babysitting or maybe even housecleaning.


Edited 5/14/2004 10:31 am ET ET by suzymomm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:27am
LOL re: your comment on your youngest.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:42am

Awwwwwww. that was so nice to see this morning!


How are you? email me if you need anything hon!

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color.  Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:46am
That's what I found out when I did some investigating about "othercare" - if/when I go back to work. The "Othercare" costs don't really diminish when the children enter school.

Janet

Avatar for ahlmommy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 10:54am
<<>>

Oh please....what Dr. Laura did when she was young makes no difference to most people. Everyone has skeleton's in their closet. It isn't like she puts her stuff out there and makes anyone read or listen to it. Don't like it...don't buy her books, turn the radio station...or DON'T call her show. The people that call her know who she is and how she is. As for the comment about the autistic child...I know nothing about that. I would love to hear the whole story. I have a friend with an autistic child that does live in a group home because she has 3 other children. It is a better environment for her child to live in for safety, and better learning environment. Everyone is different.



Avatar for ahlmommy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 11:02am
It is more tiring now...All the things that I listed that I did when I WOH I do now BUT I have 2 small children with me. Going to the grocery store with a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old is a chore in itself. I could go alone when I WOH. Doing laundry, cleaning my house, etc was much easier when I WOH.

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