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Hi Ladies....i'm New Here. I Have Two Sons, Ages 8 And 11. What Is Your Opinion On Staying Home When Your Kids Are Older? I've Been Staying Home For The Past Five Months Due To Leaving A Job That I Was Just No Longer Happy With. I Now Take A Couple Of Classes At The Local College But Not Sure Which Direction I Want To Take. I Feel Like I Need To Be Working To Help Pay Down Debt, Save For Retirement, Etc. But I Also Enjoy Being Home When My Kids Get Home From School, Keeping Up With Household Chores, Being Home When The Kids Are Out For Holidays, Etc. My Husband And I Have A Good Bit Saved Up, But We Have A Lot Of Debt, And He Doesn't Make A Lot Of Money. What Is Your Opinion On This Situation?
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Could you get a p/t job while the kids are in school? I think a lot of stuff can happen between 3 and 6 so I think it is important to be home when they get home almost even more so when the are little. JMO!
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What about a job with a school? I was a teacher before my son was born and plan to go back to it after both our kids are in school. (We are hoping to have one more soon.) At least that way you would be home on breaks, home after school, and you would be helping pay down your debt and saving for your future. What kind of classes are you taking? Do you already have a degree?
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I suggest finding a part-time job that allows you to be home when they are home. Have you read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover? I would read it if you haven't!
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Originally Posted by J&J'S MOM
Hi Ladies....i'm New Here. I Have Two Sons, Ages 8 And 11. What Is Your Opinion On Staying Home When Your Kids Are Older?
Hi and Welcome.
I have a friend who is a teacher to middle schoolers (grade 7 & 8). She says that if a parents is only going to stay home for a limited time then this is the age to stay home. The kids that do get into trouble tend to do it between 3:30 and 5:30 pm.
I have two kids ages 6 & 8. I work part time during the day. I agree about getting a job in the school if you can because then you have to same holidays. I didn't and the summers are a little more complicated but at this age they love day camps and spending time with extended family occasionally.
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It will be another 5 years before all of my children are in school all day, so I can only guess... But when the time comes I am going to find something Monday-Friday, during the day. I hate to admit it, but I do get a little 'bored' NOW having little ones here with me, I can't imagine what I would do if I were here all alone. I know some people who LOVE it, but it isnt for me, and I think my DH would probably not love it either if I had to guess...
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I struggle with the SAH issue. Probably for different reasons. I totally know that staying home is what God wants me to do, however, I do not feel like I am good at housekeeping, etc. so I do not find it fulfilling. I love my children to death, but I need more adult interaction and I love getting positive feedback and I am married to a man who doesn't see the necessity of giving compliments. He tells me that I am a great mom and I respond "but there is so much more to me".
SO...I teach college classes that are in the evenings and only when I want to. This way dh or grandparents get to watch the kids - it is a win/win for EVERYONE.
I also am in direct sales with a company I love. So, I set appointments when I know I can get a family member -dh or grandparents - to watch the kids. Or people come to me.
This way, I am bringing in income, not putting our kids in childcare, staying a SAHM, and feeling fulfilled.
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My friend and I were just talking about when and when not to stay at home! We agreed that it is almost more important in the middle school and high school years! My personal opinion is that it is always better to have someone (doesn't have to be the mom) who is able to stay home and deal with all of the family business.
Have you ever thought about daycare as a way of supplementing your income? I have done this on and off.
Good luck with your decision!
Marlene
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I have found that the older my kids get, the more they need me. If you just want something to do to get out of the house try volunteering at your childrens school, high schools and middle schools need volunteers as much as elementary schools but parents tend to back off when their kids hit middle school. I am at thehigh school at least 1 day a week making copies or stapling papers together. If you need to work for the money get a job at the school, it won't make you rich but you will be available to your children after school and on holidays.
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I Haven't Gotten A Part-time Job During The Day Because I Go To School From 8am-11am Mon-thurs. And Then I Use The Rest Of The Day To Study Until My Kids Get Home Around 3:30, Also To Do Laundry, Cleaning, Etc. I Don't Have A Degree. I'm Going To School Now To Try To Get Into The Fall Nursing Program. I Will Find Out If I'm Accepted By June. But If I Don't Get Accepted, I've Got To Make The Decision Of Whether To Get A Job, Go To School For Something Else, Or Stay Home. I Won't Do Anything Until August When The Kids Go Back To School. I Like Staying Home But I Do Get Bored. I Also Feel Like I'm Missing Something Because I've Always Worked Until Now Except When My Kids Were Newborns. I'm Just So Confused!!!!