Hi Ladies-

I'm new around here...but I have a question.

How did you know whether you were making the right decision in becoming a SAHM. Here's a little background. DH and I have a DD who will be 1 on the 10th of March. We have been back and forth for some time now on whether I should SAH or not. I put my notice in back in Sept., but my job (which I LOVE) offered me $2 more per hour and to leave an hour early (without penalty in my hours..so still 40hrs). There really isn't a way to do part time. I've been unhappy with her daycare, but could probably find another... I love my job, but feel like I should be home with DD. I did put my notice in again and my last day is March 8. I am now sick over whether I have made the right decision or not.

My issues are mainly $. If I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we would not be so strapped for $, I'd PROBABLY be ok, but I am sick with worry. DH's job is so not steady. He only had 63.75 hrs on his last check for two weeks!!! We have hardly ANY wiggle room. But I think it's too late to stay working since I started training my replacement today...I dunno..they may figure something out if I told them I was really not wanting to leave....I am so confused, upset, worried...etc. SCARED!

PLEASE Help!!!

Brie
Avery Madison 3/10/06

I don't think you can know for sure until you do it... We knew that I was going to be a SAHM from the beginning.. I haven't worked since my first son 12 yrs ago.. i'm now pregnant with my 4th. Dh's hours are also not steady.. he can get between 24-37 hrs a week.. with the norm being 32 hrs. And we're supporting a family of 5, soon to be 6 on his wages. Just cut down where you can, look where any extra money is going (movies, magazines, eating out, extra clothes, ordering in, etc..) and cut back on those expenses.

Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll do great!

Welcome to the boards! Read everything you can on these boards, the ladies here have great ideas. There are thousands of tips for saving money and for staying home. I'm a recent SAHM, as of October. Chatsalot is right, you can't really know if you can do it until you do it. Kind of a catch 22. Remember that you will be saving money by NOT working, like gas, work clothes, day care, etc. For us, it works out almost even, since I have 3 kids ages 4 and under. Daycare was killing us and I was only coming out $100 a month ahead with just that.

Good luck!!

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www.myspace.com/vioburn

Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.

Check out my blog, I'm starting to add more to it, as I can...vioburn.blogspot.com

I carried our benefits and made half of our income. When DD was born, I did NOT want to return to work, but felt that I had no choice. I went back to work when she was four months old, but she was sick from the third day of daycare on. For the next three months I missed 2-3 days of work per week. She ended up in the PICU for five days because she contracted RSV from the baby at daycare whose mom sent her in regardless of how sick she was. The night my DD's fever shot up to 105, my husband and I decided that we would just make it work for me to stay home, and we have. I can't imagine being anywhere else now! Sure, there are some sacrifices, but I wasn't making that much after I factored in daycare, extra clothing for DD and I, getting my hair done more often, lunches out, etc.

My DH injured his back at work last summer and was out of work for three months. Fortunately, we have an emergency fund and our only debt is our mortgage, so we were able to make it on just worker's comp payments. We were living on half of DH's regular take-home last summer, but we did it. Even that didn't make me want to go back to work. I was nervous as heck when I quit work, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Good luck in your decision making!

The best money book I've ever read is "your money or your life"

This book will help you see the true cost of money, you can live the life you want if you make the choices to do so.

Good luck

Maybe your dh could stay home with your daughter. My dh did that for awhile after my 2nd child was born and he loved it.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I was thinking the same thing. I say who ever has the most steady job and income might be the best one to keep working. If you love your job, it might be a good move for the time being. SAHD are becoming more and more popular. I know one and he is great with his kiddos.

I am a mom to 4 girls. I have been a SAHM since 2003. It would cost me too much money to work out side the home!

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Casey loving wife to Steven mom to 4 bratty girls Amanda, Rebecca, Jessica and Makayla
Where did my baby go

First of all, welcome.
You will find lots of money-saving ideas on these boards. Use what you can.
Being a SAHM isn't easy. THere are times when I almost wish I were back at work. But those times don't last long. I am so glad I am home with my little boy. Even with the best day cares, it's still a job, and even the best day care workers can't love your child the way you do.
Good luck.

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~Jeweled

welcome. the ladies on here are truely amazing with their ideas. we all were scared to make that jump. Is it possible for you to find a parttime job elsewhere? It doesn't have to even be the same field. Don't limit your possibilities.
dh and myself each worked parttime for 2 years( he was laid off and wasn't finding new employment). It was tough and we took home 1/2 to 3/4 of his previous income with both of us working. However, as dh points out he is very grateful he had the opportunity to be with the girls more than he would have otherwise.
we are here to offer support.

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls