What makes being a SAHM possible?
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What makes being a SAHM possible?
| Mon, 08-14-2006 - 10:17am |
Hey ladies, I know we have a lot of lurkers who are not SAHMs, but would like to be. Let's all share our stories and what we do to make it a possibility. Maybe we can give some ladies wanting to stay home with their children more of a direction to turn that dream into a reality!
What kinds of things have you and your dh/so done/do that has made it possible for you to stay home with your kids? What advice would you give to anyone who is wanting to stay home?
















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DH and I talked it over and made a pros and cons list of me staying home.
Definitely the support of your husband/SO...When Randy and I got married, we both agreed that this was the kind of lifestyle we both wanted.
Our Family's Pictures!
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/sydsmomma24/
Jennifer Sahm to 17 month old and expecting number 2 January 9 2007
Jennifer
Well, DH and I have been together since I was 16 and he was 18. We knew from very young that I was going to be a SAHM when we had kids. It was something we both wanted. I didn't go to University because for me it didn't make sense to spend the money that neither my parents nor I had for University when I wasn't going to be working for very long. (I might go back when I am older and know what I want to do LOL) I went to Business College (1 year program) and got a diploma that would land me a decent paying job so I could work for a few years. When DH graduated from University with his Computer Science Degree in 1997 we moved 12 hours from our families so he could work in a city with well paying jobs. We bought a 1700 sq ft townhome (small starter home in our area) in 1999 and got married the same year. We had inexpensive cars too. Before we had kids all our extra money went to pay off the mortgage. I worked until 6 weeks before I gave birth to our 4 year old, Katelyn in May 2002. I went back to work 1-2 days a week when Katelyn was a year old and DH got laid off. I got pg unexpectedly when Katelyn was 14 months. I worked until I was 6 months pg with #2. DH was back to work by the time I stopped working when pg with #2. By the time we bought our current 4 bedroom house we have over half of our original mortgage paid off (thanks to lump sum payments before we had kids and an increase in the housing market which gave us a $60,000 gain from buying the first house to selling it). We also now have both 1998 Saturn Wagon and our 2002 Honda Odyssey paid off.
To earn some extra spending money, I did some scrapbook consulting for a while and I have been babysitting a 1 year old for the past 10 months. She is going to daycare now and I have landed a part-time (2 days a week) evening job coaching volleyball with the city I live in. It allows DH to look after the kids while I work for a few hours.
Sorry that got very long! My biggest point all of that is that for alot of people, staying home is an option, but you have to be willing to give up some things. We lived in our smaller house for longer than I wanted to, we don't go on trips or eat out much. Buy cheaper, but still reliable cars. Buy consignment clothes for the kids. I get so angry at people who say they wish they could stay home like I do, but then they are driving fancy cars, living in fancy houses and buying brand name everything and spending like crazy. They are just not willing to give up the luxuries to stay home. My Dh is in a field that pays well so that helps for us. He is now in management so he travels a bit and works alot from home in the evenings, but it is what he does so I can stay home. I am willing to give up plenty if it means I get to raise my kids myself.
For me it was just about accepting the obvious. So many times, women with careers continue working after they have kids, even if after childcare and expenses they are just breaking even or coming out in the hole. I think it's important to have a strong marriage and the support of your husband. Mine never told me he thought I should quit but was quick to support me when I suggested that it was best. I'm so glad I put my career on hold to give this gift to my children.
Erin
We pretty much save with not eating out, especially because i have more control as to what i feed my family if we eat at home. I do a lot of activities that don't cost much, like play groups and le leche league, and sea swimming.
The best thing is that we have no debt, which i am grateful about. And my husband has a job that is high demand all the time he is never without work, plus, money invested wisely that can bring an income later. if needed, sometimes taxes are worse if you rent property.
Anyway, we feel very fortunate, that i could stay home. it requires some financial security and a steady job from ones hubby, and possibly not being in debt.
arie
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