Should I quit my job to stay at home with school age kids?

Question

Used to love my career of 15 years but now that my husband is doing great & we are both so busy with our mutually succesful careers there is always rushing & lower quality. Want to stay home w/ my 2 school age kids, prek & 3rd. Afraid that I will not get a similar high level position back in 2-5 years or not being able to make it financially. It will be a bid difference but do-able.

Answer 1

What is more important to you?  your "high paying job" or your children??

Did you have your children to have someone else raise them?  or do you want to be the one to influence their lives?

Tough choices - but parenting isn't for cowards!

Answer 2

Can you get a job that's school hours only?

I mean, you won't BE staying at home with your kids, will you? They'll be at school, not at home, for most of the day.

Answer 3

There is no yes or no answer to this question, but here's my thoughts.

Try just using JUST your husband's salary for everything for three months (put your salary in a separate account, like for emergencies or something), and see how that works. Do you have enough money for the basics, including rent and food and utilities? Do you have enough money for fun? (And don't discount this, you are a much better parent if you are having fun, because then you are relaxed and not cranky. I know this from experience. Smiley face.)

When you are trying this experiment, see where you can cut expenses that would be acceptable to you. (For example, it's not a good idea to get that green lime shirt, even if it's 50 percent off, if no one is going to wear it. IAnother example would not be getting rid of cable, if you are going to go nuts by not being able to watch Desperate Houswives. Just examples ...)  Try just using your husband's salary with these cuts too.

The advantage of this system is that you are trying out the situation first with a safety net of your salary in that other account.

Did it work out OK? Great! Here's my other suggestions to stay in the working game, and be able to get back in in a few years .....

Work part-time. For example, Home Depot offers flexible schedules and many different positions. I work there, and since my husband works in the morning, and I work at night, we don't have to pay for child care! Bonus!

Work at home. There are several legitimate work at home jobs out there, like for call centers, where you stay home and answer phones for the company (however, it does require a quiet working environment; maybe Dad could watch the kids).

Some phone center companies include 1-800 FLOWERS and TeleTech. If you search the web by "work at home jobs," you will find lots of options. Yes, you will have to sort through a bunch of c**p, but the gems are there. (For example, you shouldn't have to pay anything to work at home, except for maybe headphones or something like that. Don't pay fees, though.)

Also, you could help out at your children's school, like volunteering at the office, or with the PTA. That is real world experience, and can be listed on a resume.

Also, freelancing may be an option. Are there some projects you could work on at home from time to time? You could ask your immediate supervisor, or consult with the Human Resources Department. (You may have to pay for child care for the time you take on projects, or you could arrange your and your husband's schedule to accommodate the work, if possible. Maybe a friend or neighbor could help out and babysit.)

Also, keep in touch with your co-workers and supervisor just to keep abreast of what's going on in your industry. Read the industry papers, and research on the Web once in a while to keep up to date.

Finally, and this is the most important, consider how you would keep yourself relaxed and happy if you stay home. You are going to be with your children constantly, and I know they are a joy, but you are going to need a break once in a while. How are you going to get it?

I would suggest doing something fun that's just for you, when the kids are in school, and perhaps asking your husband or a friend to babysit the children for one whole day a month to give you some time for yourself. Remember, when you take time for yourself, you're a happier mom, and that usually means happier kids.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

Depends on your circumstances and your desire. I am a stay at home mom and love it. I may not ever get a good paying job if I ever go back to work, but my first priority is my child and his needs....and I feel that he is happier at home with me than in expensive daycare that both ate away at my salary and really didn't teach him anything.

I enjoy my time at home with my child, but it is difficult in its own way. Very little adult time, much of the chores and household responsibilities fall solely to you--since you are at home, planning what to do and when to do it and--financially--how to do it is a big headache. I wouldn't trade it for the world and I love 'working' at home for my child....but it is a full time job and it is difficult in its own right.

Make a budget of what you bring in vs. what  you send out....then see how much you would save by staying home (gas to work, daycare, lunch money, parking fees, work clothes, etc.). Then reevaluate based on those figures and based on your goals for your family and your personal life. Good luck!

Answer 5

You did say "school age kids"? Work while they are in school.  If you are not rich, you've got to work.  They don't need you when they are in school, but be there when they get home or enroll them in ASK.(after school care). Kids love to go there. Work part time.

Answer 6

u should never quit the job. u need the money for the kids. its not good for your husband to make all money for u and the kids. its one way how to get broke and wont make it. but u should calitate the money u make and he makes and take out the money that he makes and with the bills and check to see if u can do that. if he cant afford it dont do it.

Answer 7

You will find something later. You should stay home for a while with your kids. Don't miss out on their growing up. And hey while you are at it, have another baby and shake things up a bit. Live on the edge. Honestly, you will be alot happier if you do because  not alot of parents get that time with their kids. We get so wrapped up in bills and mortgages and car payments, that we forget whats really important here. They are only little for awhile, so enjoy it. It's the best career move you can make.

Answer 8

work out your finances. But remember you can always retrain to enter the work place but you only have one chance to watch your children grow

Answer 9

I left a very senior level job, making well over 6 figures to stay home with my kids - at the time 3 and newborn.  I was so scared to give it up but at the same time was crying that i wasnt spending enough time with them.  I have no desire to have a career anymore - been home 3 years now.  They need you so much  - once you start spending time with them and experience everything with them you realize just how much you were gone and how much you were truly missing.  Trust me, there are days you ask yourself WHY am i home doing this - but the good FAR outways the negative.  you will never get this time back - dont let it pass by if you have an opportunity to experience it -you'll never regret it

Answer 10

what is your job. when  i was a kid, my mother became a subsitute so she could decide when to work. like if we were sick or had a doc appointment, she wouldnt have to miss work. if they are in school now it should be fine with you working. it would be another thing if they were at day care all the time......

Answer 11

It is a hard issue to address first , write down the things that your job has that you enjoy and find out if the possibility of you working form home is an option. See if you work place is willing to change the environment to make it more children friendly for yourself and co-workers. Maybe there might be a program that you and your co-worker can come up that alllows the company to give you and the other mothers the child bonding time(that you are speaking about) an still keep everyone's need and goals still met. Talk with the others and see what options you ladies can come up with, Remember a happy worker is one that will go the extra, if the company does, for it workers; they sometimes need to be reminded of that. Good Luck in finding the right way for you.

Answer 12

I work as a means to an end, the end being having a life that I enjoy, and top on my priority list is my kids.  Despite how my choices may affect my future career possibilities, I've made the sacrifice and choice to be there when my kids are out of school. (I work while they are in school).  I also make sure to go to class parties and field trips and help out on field day etc.  I know that if push came to shove, I could work at anything and become a valuable employee to somebody.  Show up on time, work efficiently, be polite.  Sadly, it doesn't take much more than that to stand out in the work force.

Answer 13

you can never get your children's childhoods back...

i'd stay home with them if it is possible.  unless your family is going to be extremely set back by you not working, stay home. your kids will thank you.

Answer 14

if you want to be a quitter go ahead thats all i have to say!