SAH parenting- "job" or not?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
SAH parenting- "job" or not?
978
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 9:29am

SAH parenting- "job" or not?



  • Yes- it's a job (I'm a SAHM/D)
  • No- it's not a job (I'm a SAHM/D)
  • Yes- it's a job (I'm a WOHM/D)
  • No- it's not a job (I'm a WOHM/D)
  • Obligatory 'Other'


You will be able to change your vote.


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Avatar for ahlmommy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 8:52am

<<>>

Don't I know that one. When my DS was 1 yr old he was 30lbs. His height and weight were off the charts. He is 6 now and 4ft 5in and weighs about 67lbs. He is HUGE!

Yet DD#2 is tiny. She is almost 4 and only wieghs 32lbs. Go figure that one out?

My suggestion would be hire a maid for a couple of cleanings a month. If you can swing the cash for it. Trying to clean a house with 2 little ones that don't nap together is tough.

Avatar for ahlmommy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 9:11am

<<>>

I am confused. You work at a job that isn't your career? What do you do? What is your career?

<<>>

I will agree with you that you may not have more time than me, BUT not that much less. I pack book bags, I drive my children to school, I drive my little one to preschool. Ummm Extra laundry?? I don't get it? The one thing I will say takes up more time for a SAH is that the housework is more extensive. Your house is empty all day, mine isn't. Therefore I have more cleaning to do. I also have to take my children places that when I did WOH I didn't have to. Just my experience...so don't think that I am saying yours is similiar. Just understand that many SAHM have just as much to do as WOHM. When my DH moves into his promotion I will be supporting his position as well. So that will be added work for me with no pay. RATS! LOL!!

<<<< This year, I'm stripping wallpaper over Christmas break. Life will still be easier than it is when I'm working full time because I'm not picking up 40 hours+ of work and I'll be on my time doing my own thing which is fun not a job.>>>>

ACKKK!!! Last house that we bought and flipped I did that. The people that lived there before LOVED wallpaper. That is a HORRIBLE job. When we built our current house I made sure NO WALLPAPER EVER!!!! I hate that stuff simply because I don't want to pull it down. Good Luck with that. But don't think that I would do that during the day when my children are awake. Wouldn't happen. That would be a job I did when they went to bed at night. Just because I am home doesn't mean that I can just neglect them to do a project I need to do. Just not my thing.

<<>>

Again I disagree here. Your chores are divided with your spouse like you said. The only thing my DH does is wash dishes at night while I get the children ready for bed. I do everything else, including all the yard work. That is because I do SAH. Also I love to work outside so he isn't allowed to touch the yard LOL!! He also makes sure the cars are taken care of. Because we are inside the house more often than you...my floors require more vaccuming, more mopping, etc. Again...this is my situation...I remember my housework not being so extensive when I WOH.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 9:41am

Thanks- I'll do that again. As of the last time I'd talked with them they said that it wouldn't be a problem. But I'll double check.

Wytchy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 9:58am

There are very few activities these days where parents don't participate to some degree in. From story time at the library to little league to parent organizations that support activities, one would be hard pressed to find activities for children that parents don't have to play an active role in. My kids have done sports (gymnastics, karate, t-ball, basketball), scouts (boys and girls) music (lessons, performing groups, chorus, band), dance, baton twirling and a few more I can't even remember. Not only are parent present for practice, they take an active role in the organization, planning, fundraising, and events. Even with my teen, dh and I are still very involved, because we wnjoy it, but also because were it not for the parents, the activities would not be able to function without parental support and involvment

How many activities do know of where parents take no active role?

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 10:36am

<>

That would be a huge problem for me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 10:40am

<>

Ds is 5.5 and weighs 40 lbs. Wears a size 3 in jeans, that I have to cinch up at the waist (thanks Old Navy for the adjustable waistbands!)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 11:23am

Dd will be 7 in a month and she just hit 40lbs.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 11:25am
It's not for me. All that stuff is my job. Maybe it's not as bad for us, because I know it's not *still* my job when I'm not a SAHM. It would be stupid if it wasn't my job, IMO.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 11:33am

I had the same rule when I was a sahm. If it's not in the dirty clothes baskets, I don't wash it. Around age 12, they start doing their own laundry. So now, the rule ony applies to Dylan and dh. I wash, fold, iron and put away my own clothes; they put away their clothes.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 11:37am

That's what I used the most--a Gerry aluminum frame backpack (do they still make them?). I used it as soon as they could sit up--around 6 months. Then later a hiking backpack I got at an outdoor supply store that goes up to age 4. Erica would tollerate the backpacks because she didn't feel as enclosed in them. She could have her "distance" and still be able to see.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

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