When we decided to embark on having a family we never concidered anyone else raising our children. We had children to raise them ourselves even though in doing so meant we would soon get into debt as morgage rates were 15%. (and we did got black listed and nearly bankcrupted, but 16 years on we have paid everything back and still have our home.) We still fill our children were worth the sacrifice. Most mothers I know say they cant afford to stay at home and need to work. I have said then dont go abroad twice a year, or buy the latest gismo for yourself or child, or trade your car in every three years for the latest model. Or buying your children everthing they want. All they need is love, food, and a feeling of security.
Beacause at the end of the day you can have these things later in life, you can never get back the time when your child first crawls, walks, talks etc.
I was told by a friend once that staying at home is the easier option, whereby I laughted.
I think going back to work is a far easier option, but I would never have done it any other way.
But what do you think?
What did you chose to do?
Whould you have chanced things if you knew then what you know now?
Before my son was school age i was a single parent and did go to college full time and worked part time i missed out of the important bitsbut being so young i would have been labeled like so many teenage mums. I dont regret it however as i used the time to better myself and my sons future
Now i have qualifications i choose not to work at the minute. Dek has a decent wage coming in and we can afford 2 holidays a year still without me working We are very lucky in the respect i dont have to work and can be home for son going to and coming home from school. Money does get tight sometimes though
Everyones view will (hopefully) be different as every one should first and foremost do what is right for their family at the time.
I took an even harder way than most. I kept my career and started work from home 11 years ago. It's very hard.
We know how hard this is as some 7 years ago my husband gave up a job in the city to try his luck on his own. We now both work from home, he works more hours than I do. I am here for the children and we both get invloved in the activities they have taken up. Giving time voluntree at the school, cricket club where all three of our children play. We are so lucky to be able to give to others our time, we find this more rewarding than getting paid.
I find the comment "going back to work is the EASY option" total bullshit.
Its not easy leaving a 6 month old baby with strangers but what choice do most people have? I have two options work and pay towards the bills or live in poverty, I know which one is better for my children.
I get myself up and ready, feed and clothe two children get one to school and one to nursery/family all before I start work at 9:30. To do it all in reverse to get home as well as fitting in all the jobs that have to be done at home.
Im not even sure I would want to stay at home all day everyday, I feel like I want adult conversation and company. I also like having some financial independence.
One of the aspects of our current life of dual income families etc. is that for more wealthy families, other families are displaced.
The busy career family who require nannies, au pairs, child minders etc, often find themselves in a situation where they have to employ an overseas worker. These are usally women who have left their own families to find employment.
Thus creating many families across the world who are minus a parent.
i didnt want to work when my children were young but even if i had, i didnt earn enough to pay childcare so it would have been pointless !
money was very tight but we had no choice but to cope but i loved being at home with them and all the time we had together and all the things we did
as the children got a bit older i worked from home so was there for them or i worked shifts, the opposite shift to their dad so one of us was there for them 90% of the time