To be a traditional sahm ??

my children do not have any jobs in our home. I believe children are only children for a short time and should be able to be free and enjoy it.

Doing chores and having responsibility around the home doesn't spoil childhood though, in fact learning to be independent enhances enjoyment IMO.

I am generally a SAHM at the moment and I even get my 2yo to 'help' (I use the word in its very loosest sense as I am sure it takes me longer to do things as a result!) me with chores. He thinks it is great fun at the moment, but he'll still have to do them when he realises they are not!

I also think it is really important for DH to have time to bond with his children. Yes, I am home during the day and consider keeping the house generally in order mainly my job (although I always vomit impressively when I am pregnant so most of it has fallen to DH of late), but bathtime is always DH's job when he gets home. I love that DH and DS have their own special time without me, both for my sanity at the end of a busy day and for their relationship.

Kilmuir? Are you reading the thread? are you the op?
Nobody has attacked the OP. Nobody really cares, except the OP. dull thread.

It would drive me fucking insane but, if that's the kind of challenge you enjoy, go for it. I'm not sure it's that clever to raise children who don't know how to look after themselves so, as you've made parenting your full-time job, perhaps you'll consider preparing them for life by dishing a few household responsibilities.

I hope your finances are independently secure :)

You ask if you are being unreasonable to be a SAHM? YANBU of course but in asking the question you sound insecure in your life choice. Can we help in any way?

::tilts head::

Carry on enjoying being a SAHM but, and it is big but, do not do everything for your children as they need life skills like they need to be potty trained and also actively plan your return to work strategy. This may mean a return to education or volunteering.
Your time at home will go so fast you really should start thinking about your future now.

something to take into account when considering being a SAHM lots of experiences on here.

And....? Are you asking to be flamed becasue you haven't been yet? Don't get what you are trying to do with this/

That's great ProudMum4Eva except that one of their roles as children is to learn how to live in the world. That includes laundry, cleaning, cooking. How do they learn this if not from you? IMO it is the same as saying, "they are only children, why should they have to learn maths?". Because it is useful and a life skill. I will try to Google the studies that show that chores are good for kids... Unless the genius of MN knows where they live...

kilmuir, do you not think it was a very strange first post?

I'be seen posts similar to this before, and I'd heard, anecdoetally, that one of the plethora of reasons that some of those had posted was to cause a bunfight.

Obvis, it's not the case this time, but some posters may put 2 and 2 together and get hiusemaid's knee.

Why can't kids be 'free' and enjoy helping their parents?

Traditionally this is how young people learn those skills.

I take it they're learning to read and write and yet they're still free to enjoy their childhoods?

How old are your children? I think all children should have responsibilities in the family - even if it is only my 3 year old helping put her cutlery on the table or tidying up her toys with me.

OP of course there is nothing wrong with it, its your choice and does not concern anyone else. I am the same as you married at 18 and as soon as I finished studying have had one child after the other (only got 3 though), dh works lot of hours so i end up doing most of it. Sure a lot of people are in the same position.
However if others prefer or need to work then each to their own.
There are people who will judge you for never working and just being a sahm but who cares really - if you are happy with it then let them think what they want

What's the point in this post?

Aren't you all bored of repeating the same tired bullshit?

I have never given the subject much thought. Each to their own etc. But it does seem like an obsession on MN, together with State v Private education.

We are all grown ups and should do whatever we like......

It's not rude Kilmuir, it's a fact. Do you give a toss how I spend my hours? Thought not. It's just not relevant really is it?

If it works for you guys, that's great :)

There's nothing traditional about sahm at all! Traditionally,poor families all worked, mums included, and rich families paid others to do everything you describe, from cooking to cleaning to child care. So it's lovely that you are happy with your role, but it's the life equivalent of a 1950s 'little box.' (Nothing wrong with these of course, I live in one myself..)

kilmuir I think that is on response to the idea that we all sit around waiting to slag off SAHM. That is insulting too. BTW, I've done both and didn't feel half as judged on here as a SAHM. There are people who do that, "I don't know why people have children to let other people bring them up" crap.

saying " i don't think anyone else gives a fuck tbh' is rude

But true, probably.