I am currently having a mixed summer break with the children at home. E has finished her first year at school so I am really valuing the time with her and am amazed how much she has grown up recently. A starts two and a half days at pre-school in September so am worrying about how I will miss him and freaking out about how quick they are growing up! Also what will I do to fill two and a half days at home, on my own?? Sounds like a luxury but I know I will get a little bit bored once all the house jobs are done and I have Twittered and blogged myself out! I have some DIY projects on the house to look forward to doing without children under my feet but that is it really.
Add to that some breakdown in commnications by the grown ups and I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about me and my role. One of the issues I have been pondering is - will a return to work make everyone a bit happier? Should I continue to be a SAHM or have another bash at being a working mummy?
So I have made some lists (love doing that by the way!) to help sort my head out:
Being a SAHM means:
1. Being there for the children when they need me; being able to take them to school & pick them up, get them to clubs & friends houses etc...
2. My spare time is their time; not planning for lessons, not worrying about other people's children.
3. Come September some free time for me to do what I want to do (within the financial constraints of earning zero pounds!)
4. Having time to cook meals not be rushing in at 6p.m. with hungry children and nothing ready.
BUT.....
5. I don't have my own personal income.
6. I sometimes feel like I have thrown away my women's rights - blah blah blah!
7. I get frustrated at having to rely on husband for money, use of car....
Being a Working Mum would mean:
1. Having my own income again so I can treat myself when I want and not have to have such a tight budget.
2. Rebuilding my career - if I go back into teaching.
3. A feeling of 'freedom' and driving somewhere on my own!
4. Having an influence on other children (hopefully positive!)
5. Having my own car again.
6. Having an opportunity to move house in the future.
BUT....I have to think about...
7. Putting the children into breakfast & after school clubs.
8. Stress - it will be me having to get the children where they need to be in time for me to get where I need to be.
9. It is all on me - we have no family nearby so if a child is ill I will have to take time off...
10. All the house things still need to be done and I will have less time to do it - and it will probably still be me doing the majority of this.
11. The fact that children grow up too quick and I don't want to miss a thing!!!!
So I need to think about what is best for me, my children, my family.
I would love to hear from other SAHMs and how you feel and from Working Mums on how you manage both worlds.
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76 sunflowers
