Need Advise on Returning to Work.

I, like Angela, never planned or expected to be a SAHM. For the last three and a half years (until last Dec), I was a single mom of two and going to school full time, After remarrying and getting pregnant, I quickly found out his last semester that taking classes full time and being pregnant just wasn't going to work out.

About a year ago, I started my own home-based business to help make ends meet, and now it's definately come in handy being a SAHM. If you think you would be interested, let me know so I can get you more information. You can call me at ###-###-#### or email me at ____@____.com luck and congratulations on the new arrival next month!!! (I'm due in Aug)

Talk to him, make a plan for when you will return to work, say when the youngest starts school for example. I had a great job in the mortgage industry in California when I had my youngest, and walked away from it to be a SAHM, she's almost 3 now, and I don't regret it ONE bit.

K.,

Tell your husband if you get a job working from home if you would be ok with that. I Have a job I do from home and I could give you information on it if you would like. Please let me know.

L.

Yes this is very hard! I actually never intened to be a SAHM but because of child care I have ended up mostly being a SAHM and student. We have no help though and if we did I would probably also have to work. I have worked PT and even worked FT for 5 mos but childcare for 2 kids is insane! My Bf works like 60 hours a week and I really hate that he has to work this much but I am a CNA and can't make very much! So we decided I would do the LPN program then work again when I can actually make good money. So I will be home till the end of next year. I do feel for you maybe consider home type business. I personally have never found one that would work for me.

Hi K.,
For me to be able to stay home with my kido, we had to give up one of our two vehicles, and his cell phone. That took away one car pmt, insurance pmt, and a cell phone bill. Plus, my husband got a part time second job that he can work from home. We could do it if he quit the second job..money would be really tight though. But see what you can sacrifice and check your financial stability to see if this will work for you. We still only own one vehicle and it works out pretty good. Best wishes, G.

I would sit down and look at the finances- can you financially afford to stay home- are there changes you can make in your life style to stay home? The biggest thing is communicating with your husband. Good luck!

I know the feeling. I never wanted to go back to work, but my husband and I cannot survive on just his income. I started with Mary Kay for several reasons and LOVE it!! They are the most positive group of women to work with and be around. They have become a second family to me. I also am enjoying helping others look and feel more beautiful, and increasing their self esteem. I have also increased my self esteem by taking better care of myself and feeling like I look better. And if you can start your business and grow it while you aren't in need of the money, then when you need the second income, your business will be in full swing. I never thought I'd be the type for Mary Kay, but it has turned out wonderfully for my family and I. Consider doing something like this that would let you plan out your own schedule. If you want more information, give me a call ###-###-####.

Dear Kystal K

I may have the solution to your situation--stay at home like you want and work as he want and receive $500 - $1000 per week. Visit the following web page www.freedombyinvitation.com/livepower

It's worth a look.

Best regards

B. B

I went back to work after my first child was born, but after 4 months I just couldn't take being away from her. I had a serious sit down with my hubby and told him exactly what I wanted and how I thought we could handle it financially. I had gone through our budget with a fine tooth comb and found several hundred dollars that we could save one way or another. I started using coupons at the store for groceries and was able to cut our monthly grocery bill by 200$-250$ per month (email me and I can tell you how). I switched insurance companies and was able to save money on our car and home owners insurance. I even reduced our internet to a slower cable and saved about 10$ a month (I can't even tell the difference). I turned off our cable for a while, but that seemed to be too much for my hubby, so it came back. When my son was born, it was time for more number crunching, so I gave up my new car and started driving an older, but still reliable, car with no payments. It was enough to make up the difference of what was going out and what I used to bring in. It's hard trying to balance everything, but definately worth the effort. I promised (and continue to promise at least monthly) that I will finish my schooling before my kids are in school so that when I do return to work, I'll be making more than when I left. I still have to refresh my husband on why we are doing this, but it was important to me.

You need to tell him how you feel. Keeping it all in won't help you or your marriage. I have a book, called surviving on 1 income. You can do it if you set your mind to it. Cut out some things that you don't really need. Me and my hubby sat down and wrote some things down that we could live without and it came out to $350 per month!!!

In my opionion the most important days in your life are the moments with your kids. It doesn't last long. They are your kids, don't let someone else raise them.

Working at home and being with your kids 24 /7 is hard work and requires all your time and energy, but it is so rewarding and fun!!

What kind of skills do you have? I work from home and have since 2001, and am looking for some help with my online websites.

K.

I too have been in a similiar situation. My husband and I agreed that we would do whatever it takes for me to be home with our children. However, living in this day and age, unless your husband makes a great salary, it is hard to survive on one income. This being said, I have been doing home daycare since my youngest (who is almost 7) was 1 year old. If you love kids and have a lot of patience it's a great way to be home with your children while offering a safe, fun place for other working parents to bring their children. It also gives your children social interaction with other children and it teaches them how to share. There is always a need for quality child care, so I am always turning people away. Just a thought......

I have a similar story. With our first I really wanted to stay home but we couldn't afford for me to then when we know the second was on the way I put my foot down and said "I HAVE TO STAY HOME!" After trying to come up with a way to make ends meet and make everyone happy Passion Parties came my way. With a lot of thought and talking it through with my husband we decided to give it a try. So I joined Passion Parties and have never looked back. It allows me to be at home with my two beautiful little girls and we aren’t missing my full time paychecks at all. I have the freedom of making my own schedule, being my own boss, working in my pj’s and sooo much more. I would love to give you what I have found give me a call 602/885/0427 or email me ____@____.com and we can talk.
~Good Luck & Talk to you soon!
A.

There is much to consider. Will your mom-in-law teach your children the way you would? Is it fair to have her sit 40 hrs/wk and not pay her? Will you actually make money after paying expenses? Lastly, is it worth it to be away from your children? I raised 3 girls and opened a day care when the youngest entered high school. She has told many people, including me, that it was great to have me home when she got there. Good luck with your decision.

I, like you, REALLY want to take care of my own children and fortunately my DH is on the same page and we have cut back financially so I can. I'm extremely grateful that I'm able to constantly love and nurture and teach them (many working parents have sucessfully raised good kids who feel loved, so staying home isn't the only way to do that, but the best way at least for me). Parenting is my passion, and it is very important to me, so I completely understand and applaud your desire to stay home with them. No one loves children like their parents do or is as well-equipped to be their caretaker.

But having said that, it sounds like (from your bio) that your husband is a good man, and you want to take his concerns into account also. He probably is feeling the pressure to provide, which can be overwhelming. So see if you can come to an agreement of sorts. Would your employer let you go back to work part-time so that you you're not as worn out when you get home and can still have plenty of energy and time to spend with your children? Also, a lot of people work from their home or on the side. Keep in mind that in order for anything to pay off, it will probably take time and effort, especially initially if you're going to do a home-based business. Do you have a special skill you could do? I am seriously considering becoming a professional organizer, because that is a talent and passion of mine. What skill do you have that could really be of use to others?

Maybe if you do go back to work full-time you could do things like hire the housecleaning done to make one less thing you have to do at home that takes away from your time with your children. It's hard to find the balance between it all. Maybe it will help if you think of it from a long-term point of view. When you're older and look back on your life would you and your husband majorly regret either decision, or do you feel confident that either way your children will turn out fine and feel loved and have a roof over their head? It sounds like you need to sit down with your husband and have an open discussion telling him how you feel and why, but make sure you also listen and consider what he wants and why (because having a roof over their head is important too :). I wish you luck figuring it out, and I'm so happy that you have loving grandmas as options for babysitters if you do end up having to go back to work. Please keep us posted on your decision and how it turns out!