Fed up with family telling me to stop working until kids are at school

[JoshandJamie]

After DS2 was born I set up my own business;
a) because the extra money was handy
b) I was bored
c) I wanted to keep my hand in


It hasn't been easy and my dh and I have a lot of arguments about childcare. basically childcare is my responsibility and regardless of how busy I am, my career is viewed as the secondary one. (3hat's another whole issue)

After my first year in biz, I made a net profit of just under £30k. I have worked hard to build a name and have invested quite a bit back into it. It is growing, successful and has scope to get big. But I still only work parttime and I want to keep it that way but I do get stressed out trying to juggle it all.

but whenever I speak to any of my family and have a quiet maoan about not being able to fit everything in, the first thing they all say, everytime is: why don't you just stop working and start again when the boys are at school. It's their only suggestion.

It makes me want to scream. We now need the money. I enjoy it. I would have wasted an enormous amount of energy and money just to shut up shop. It makes me mad that they can't be slightly more supportive. And it makes me think that maybe they think I'm being a bad mum for wanting to work. I feel as though I'm trying my best to spend time with them while still running a business. sigh. sorry, just needed to rant.

[fransmom]

hi jj, you are not bad mom at all, far from it. a happy mom= happy children, sounds cheesy but it's true.

[edam]

You are right, they are being very unsupportive and stupid, to boot.

Bet they'll come running if they ever have any money troubles, too.

[LaDiDaDi]

I think that you've done remarkably well setting up a profitable business with two small children and so little support!

Make your dh do his fair share and tell anyone else who suggests giving up work "That simply isn't going to happen."

[scattyspice]

I'd say you've done brilliantly to have such a successful biz part time. You'd be mad to pack it in.

My family (incld dh) seem to view my PT job as a hobby also.

[fransmom]

i tell anyone who views my pt job as pin money " iwork hard for 26 hrs a week for bloody little pay but what i do earn puts food in my dd's belly and clothes on her back"

[WideWebWitch]

Good for you, ignore them.

[sibble]

There's nothing like families/others poking their noses in. Agree happy mother = happy children whatever you choose. FWIW I gave up work (I do now have my own business too and work VERY P/T for sanity) but I have the opposite pressure from family.....'if you're out of the workforce too long nobody will employ you later, why compromise when you can earn heaps if you work, children need stimulation from day care!!, what DO you do all day! etc etc ' have heard it all. I think families just feel they have a right to poke their noses in. Stick to your guns and good luck with your business why give up something that makes you happy.

[scattyspice]

LOL sibble. Tis true, you just can't win.