Need to get the balance right (Working Mums vs. Stay at Home Mums)

Member Name: scoutingbargains

Product:	Working Mums vs. Stay at Home Mums
Date:	16/12/08 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Part time work works for us

Disadvantages: Not enough cash coming in

When I first had my son, I knew I wouldn't be able to give up work completely due to financial constraints but I did want to spend some quality time with him to capture all of those precious moments. I went back to work on 4 ish days a week but working an out of hours rota that meant that somedays I wouldn't get back to put my son to bed. This was torture for me! I was close to a depression about it so for me the only option was to cut my hours dramitically and the purse strings! I now work 4 hours a day Monday to Friday so i'm able to spend time with my son.

Every morning is spent doing different activities such as: art/creative tasks, messy play, singing/dancing, playing in the park, visiting friends/family, play/toddler/music sessions etc. Every now and again if my son is amused in something I can occasionally do a bit of housework which he tends to help with. I strongly believe that this has strengthened our bond as we do so much together. Don't get me wrong, my son has time alone but I thing it's important to introduce children to as many experiences and stimuli as possible. When I was working more, I wasn't able to do these things with him and the relatives didn't either and you could tell in his behaviour.

I feel that i'm in a fortunate postion as I have family and nursery to care for my son whilst I work, I know for some that they don't have these resources available. I think that for me, I have the balance just right. I'm able to watch my son grow up whilst still bringing in some money. Don't get me wrong, the bank balance has never looked so poorly but even with this factor I know that I would find it very difficult if I needed to return to work full time. My working and consequently having a bit of time to myself each day keeps me as me. I'm happier now than I have ever been & I think that this passes on to my son. We don't rush our days as we have plenty of time and we do different things each day.

Personally speaking, I think that it is important to have a bit of time away from home to see and speak to someone else other than a toddler. Whilst I was on materinity leave I would go for days not seeing anyone other than my son, hubby and the postman and it didn't take long for me to feel isolated. My friend is a stay at home mum (well almost, she works about four hours a week) and she started to feel that she needed to be something in addition to a mother and a wife. She has now enrolled of a college course so she can have some 'me time'. I can honestly say that she seems much happier since starting the course.

In summary, every mother is different so it really is personal choice and I don't make judgements. Some mothers are happy being a stay at home mum, some are happy working. I am happy right in the middle.

Summary: Wouldn't change it