[MamaAllNatural]

Here's the new one. So, how has everyone been?<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
*Oh, and if you're new please post away...you don't need to have been on the old one too.

 

[monkey's mom]

We've been good. I am feeling so grateful to be at home lately--not sure why, but just feeling so glad to have my son with me.<br><br>
This is good because financially we are soooo hatin' it right now! We are owed so much money right now and no one will pay up!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/angry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="angry"> It's the 7th and we still haven't paid the mortgage. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">: In 10 years I will not remember this, right? I'll remember how my 2.5 year old said "Aw man!" and things like, "We MUST do that again, mommy!" and "I love that SOO much!"<br><br>
We will not be poor forever. We will not be poor forever. We will not be poor forever. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[bwylde]

I'm here! Things are ok, although I think we're really starting to feel the strain financially of me being a SAHM. I had maternity benefits for the first year and we somehow sailed through the past year. Now that I'm starting my third year as a SAHM, we're noticing a pinch financially. We can't afford to fix our car anymore so I dont' know what we're going to do with it (hopefully we can sell it as that's the major contributer to our latest cash crunch <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/angry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="angry">: ) so we're technically carless right now. Good thing as insurance is due and we couldn't afford to pay it anyway, not to mention the dollar a liter gas <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes">: . We've cut all spending down so far before it's hard to get any more frugal than we are although I'm sure we can find ways. Right now we're just going to save save save.<br><br>
I could never be anything but a SAHM and we are happily sacrificing for it. It's so worth it and I remind myself of it everyday. Of course with a baby on the way soon, it's not really feasible to work as no one would hire a 7+ month pregnant woman, the job economy here sucks (which is why DH has a low paying job) and child care for two would be more than I make, not to mention I'd need a car to get them there <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> . It's all a catch 22.<br><br>
Anyway my sweet toddler just climbed on for some nursing, so, I hope this thread gets hopping!!

 

[Cranberry]

I'm happy being a SAHM most of the time. Sometimes I feel bored, though. Today I'm just exhausted. Up most of the night with ds because he's sick and then he gets up at the crack of dawn??? At least I will get a nap later (benefit of being a SAHM).

 

[angel04345]

I LOVE being an at home mom. Of course there are days! I am looking for some place that I can go to talk about the good and bad days! LOL I see you all have the same issues as me! Money! I babysit a child and am interviewing tomorrow for another. My daughter gets playmates and I am here to monitor her peer interactions throughout the day. It gives me a purpose too! There is also a general flow to my day which helps! It also keeps two to three other children out of the hands of overworked childcare providers! (not that all are, there are some great ones!) However me still bringing in money doesn't make my husband any more supportive. You see me staying home happened by accident! In the begining we agreed we could make this work and now he is missing the extras we use to have. He never actually tells me to get a job but, he brings up the GUNS he can't buy all the time! (when hes itching to buy ANOTHER! We have enough to wall paper the house!) Anyone else dealing with a less then supportive husband? I am interested to hear how you deal with it.......

 

[PadmaMorgana]

*jumping right in*<br><br>
I personally am exhausted. DD was up at the butt crack of dawn (430am) to nurse and smilie, then when she finally went back to sleep DS woke up. Oh...and DH is out of town for the week, so I'm doing it all by myself.<br><br>
I love being a SAHM <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> but the early morning sucks <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/caffix.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="coffee">. We moved to our current town so that I could stay home. DH makes enough money (and the cost of living is less) so that we are comfortable. There are alot of choices that have to be made in order to keep things on track tho, but it is worth it. I am lucky DH is very supportive.

 

[Cranberry]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>PadmaMorgana</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I love being a SAHM <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> but the early morning sucks <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/caffix.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="coffee">.</div>
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You said it, sista!! I hate getting up early. I am not a morning person, but ds likes to get up at 6!!

 

[mommyswenn]

I've been a SAHM for just over three years now. I was on Mat. leave for the first year (I'm in Canada) and then worked part-time at my oldest dd's school from May/02 to June/03. I've been an unemployed bum <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> since then, but am going back to work, again part-time, in the fall.<br><br>
I'm very fortunate in that I keep finding jobs where I can take my children with me. I did before/after school care at dd's school, and so I brought my middle child (then youngest) with me. In the fall I will be assisting with Mommy and Me music classes -- one for babies, one for toddlers. The job sort of fell into my lap -- I was attending the program with my girls as something to do, and I offered to help out, never imagining that it would be a paid position.<br><br>
My dh has a pretty good job, but he has to work a lot of overtime in order for us to keep our heads above water. We're really feeling the pinch right now -- we're getting ready to sell our house and so have been putting money into fixing things, re-painting and touch-ups, etc. These are all things that we've just never gotten around to before, because the money was always better spent somewhere else, kwim? In the long run it will be worth it, but right now it's a little scary. I'm really looking forward to the fall, when I have an income again -- it won't be much at first, but every little bit helps.<br><br>
Looking forward to getting to know you all!

 

[equinox]

Hi! Also jumping into the conversation-I stopped working out of the home almost five years ago and have a four year old and a nine month old. I find that I don't relate to many "at home" mothers I encounter-my energy is revitalized by being with my children and I'm not looking for escapes or opportunities to get away from them. An occasional break now and then would be nice though :LOL. That seems to go hand in hand-dh works longish hours so I can be home with them, which means there's no one to cover for me. But it's been the most wonderful, amazing experience. I look at my children and know we've done what's best for them and us.

 

[MamaAllNatural]

Wow, equinox, you took the words right out of my mouth! That's exactly how I feel.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
I also just wanted to say <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greet.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greet"> to all of those new to Mothering! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Nurturing Mama]

I'm here too. Our finances are horrendous and we owe a lot of money, but my husband just got a promotion of sorts and we may be able to catch up and possibly even (dare I say it?) get ahead in the months to come if we manage our money well.<br><br>
This week I feel kind of guilty that I don't have to work and can spend my days with my son at the beach, while my husband has to go to work. Anyone else feel this way? Yeah, my job <i>is</i> 24/7 and I never have a moment to myself, but lately I've been spending the day building sand castles and splashing in the lake. And it's soooo hot, and my poor husband works outside!<br><br>
Carrie

 

[UrbanPlanter]

Sometimes I feel guilty about all of the play time I have with ds while dh is toiling away at the office, but then I remind myself how I am performing the most important job I have ever had in my career: parenting my son. If I were not home building sand castles with him, who would be doing it? A daycare? A nanny? I'm glad that I am the one who is home feeding, changing, entertaining, teaching, parenting, loving, hugging, kissing boo boos, etc. etc. my darling ds!!!<br><br>
I think my dh is jealous that I get to do it and not him!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[bwylde]

I don't feel guilty. DH only works 25-30 hours a week so it seems like he's always home anyway and he doesn't miss much. It might be different if he had a full time job. Then again, being a mother is a never ending job so it all evens out.

 

[angel04345]

I too am so glad to be home! I wouldn't miss these years for the world! You see I thought that I had to work to make ends meet! I quit to work at a daycare and brought my daughter with me each day. As I've said on other threads this daycare was an eye opener! This lady left infants crying in closets, made all children go outside after nap until their parents came (for some children in the dead of winter this was 6pm!!!!)and she was generally rough with the children and very unloving! (One time she slammed a little girl onto the floor and screamed at her to go to sleep) So I decided this wasn't for me and that I really couldn't tell if someone were doing this to my child so I am staying home! That is why I watch other children, I know that two children aren't left screaming and denied drinks and diaper changes!<br>
So Kudos to all of you moms and dads for dealing with the money issues and sacraficing a little of yourselves for the greater good!

 

[Skim]

Hi!<br>
New to the thread, relatively new to the boards.<br><br>
I take care of my one dd full-time, and am happy for it every day. Today I'm pooped - my 27 mo toddler is a 5 am waker, but today it was 4:30... otherwise feeling a bit like the bionic woman (US pop culture reference, sorry)! We're moving in less than a month into subsidzed housing, and happy to finally be able to live with an affordable rent. But, there's lots of coordinating and phone calls and hoping to do about money still. And the trips to donate stuff to the thrift store... At least we've already had the yard sale.<br><br>
How many of you other unemployed moms, in your stress about money these days, have heard a stranger or family member question your decision to not work for money? I've been asked directly and indirectly, and tried to made guilty for not working by our social workers here. All I can do is what I say: We decided that I would stay with dd, nurse her until she decides she's done, and help her grow. That's my job. No one's said anything sassy back to me yet!<br><br>
And my dp only works part-time, so we're together a lot. BROKE but together. And we both write, so we get writing time, too. Yep, I've felt guilty for playing all day, but never for too long -- especially after the 4:00 mornings!<br><br>
Kim

 

[Nurturing Mama]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">How many of you other unemployed moms, in your stress about money these days, have heard a stranger or family member question your decision to not work for money?</td>
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I have. It really bothers me, since it's none of their business, and I feel like I am doing the right thing for my family by staying home and raising my child. I'm so sick of being told that I'm wasting my education that I could scream! I use every resource available to me to raise my child, and my education and knowledge come in quite handy. Nobody clued me in that the only purpose of going to college was for career training.<br><br>
My husband used the wasting my education line on me last night during an argument. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/splat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="splat"> Somehow today I don't feel so guilty about him toiling in the rain while I play with DS. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:

 

[angel04345]

I guess I do get a lot of comments from other moms mostly. My husband makes comments on payday. (unless his mood is favorable) There are other times that he is most supportive and I only pay attention on those days now. Although sometimes I wonder just how long he will let me do this. I babysit like I said but its not the same in his eyes as getting up, dressed, made up and leaving the home to work. I have shown him on more then one occasion however that we don't need gas in my car for three week blocks! We don't need to buy me fancy clothes (unless there is an event) and we don't pay someone else to care for my daughter! Add all of those debts to my income watching children and i am in the money! LOL At any rate yesterday he was most supportive so we'll go with that!

 

[equinox]

OK-I just have to laugh at the little baby butt in the ad above that says "itchy butt got you down?" :LOL Is anyone else having a crappy day?<br>
I'm feeling totally depleted from meeting everyone's needs and not having time for my own. It just seems like things are coming at me one thing after another. I don't like not feeling grounded!

 

[Skim]

This has been a week of intense, chaotic energy for many. Has anyone else felt it, too?<br><br>
We're just ready to be together and do NOTHING this weekend, in preparation for packing and organizing and wondering how to help our 27 mo process "moving".<br><br>
And of course, I will get to make it all happen...<br><br>
Feeling utterly drained,<br><br>
Kim

 

[bwylde]

I had the worst day I've had in a while. DS has been having tantrums like I never knew he could throw and that on top of him tearing our house apart to the extreme, breaking and dumping things out which lead to some scary moments, I was at my wits end today. I was supposed to be putting stuff together for a yard sale tommorow but between fixing what he's been doing, having to lay down from hurting so much and just trying to calm down about everything, I didn't get anything done. DH was pretty upset when he saw the state of our basement today, but there's only so much I can do. Right now I'm really scared I'll be put on bed rest because of the contractions and pains I've been having and I'm sure the stress I've been under isn't helping my blood pressure. I can't even go to the bathroom without coming back to a disaster <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">