To say stay-at-home mums have it easier than full-time workers?

Erm, doesn't it just depend? On the mum/the child/ what job you're doing?

Both are quite extreme. Pros and cons to both. Surely this is not news OP?

I have two children. First ds autistic, really hard to parent because you try everything and you always feel that you're not doing enough. Ds2 nt was sooo easy. Having 3 of ds2 would be easier than ds1 alone. My DH was very happy to go to work when they were small to get some respite🤣..
If I can just tell you one thing I regret it's being too attentive to what other people thought/said who had no idea of his disability (neither did we until he was 4 y old) and who made me feel like a lousy mother even though I knew I was "doing every thing right" (being loving, firm, consistant, patient etc). With our ND children the rules do not apply and we have to find ways that work for our children/families and not listen to what people who have no insight/experience have to say about the methods that work for us. Good luck!

I have done both and personally find working far far far easier.

The utter monotonous drudgery of being a sahp nearly finished me off.

I am more tired working though, but much more fulfilled and mentally stimulated.

It doesn't need to be worked out. It is common sense.

Another SAHM vs Working mum thread. Groan.

I work full time. Have to juggle it all, but I know that being at home all day with two young children would be relentless. I know that a day at home with the kids is without a doubt harder than a full day at work… but it is more rewarding.

This is such a silly debate. Who is the most exhausted. I think it’s exhausting to have small children whether you work or not.

How do you work that out?

Try both, working FT and parenting when you haven’t got the peace of a quiet workspace… the only place I get a break is work, and I am a teacher! Ha!
In all seriousness, it’s not a competition? Both are equally demanding in v different ways!

Im a SAHM to a 4 year old with additional needs and a 20 month old and it’s full on to say the least.

It is much easier than being a working parent I'm sure. My life is great, no work stress, get to spend loads of time with my kids, get to do nice things with them most days. I love it and feel very privileged to be able to choose this although I’m sure it’s not lots of people’s cup of tea.

The one thing I really miss about working is getting to go to the office and see colleagues and have adult conversation and that is something that I do really envy of working mums. Sometimes I feel like I don’t really switch my mum brain off all day and you can loose some of your identity when you’re a SAHM, could your friend just feel abit like that? Although she’s put it clumsily, it’s obviously not easier being a working parent.

I will most likely go back to work once both of my children are both in school but this is what works for our family currently.

I think this is pretty much it. It depends on whether there’s a supportive partner or strong family/friend support network available also. The type of job matters also as well as number of kids. So no point in having this conversation as there’s too many variables! There’s no reasonable or unreasonable here. Live and let live!

Being a SAHP to preschool children is exhausting. I've stayed at home and worked FT and PT. None of it is easy.

Have you suggested your friend get a job if she finds it so hard?
I bet that'd shut her up.

As a SHM ( my child isnt in childcare) and work part time. When im working it's easier, i complete tasks, feel a sense of achievement, sit down, have adult conversations. I love my kids but it's different - obviously some people will feel different and thats ok. This post is just fueling the hatred and divide between the two and life is different some people have harder jobs that others/ some people have more help than others/ some people thrive at certain things more than others.

I feel like a skill of yours is to stir the pot.

You can’t compare apples to oranges. It completely depends on the context.

I’m a SAHM and my life is lovely. One DC who is at disabled but at primary school full time.
We have a cleaner once a week so I only need to worry about keeping clean and tidy in between her cleans. I’m in charge of all of life admin as well as cooking meals, DC & DH’s lunches but I literally have the entire time she’s at school to myself. I go to Pilates, coffee, get my nails and hair done etc.

DH works shifts from home so I spend his lunch breaks with him if I’m home and if he doesn’t start work until 2pm he’ll give me a lie in and take DC to school. He’s also an incredibly hands on Dad and we’re lucky enough to be financially stable. My life is much easier than a Mum who is working full time. I know I’m incredibly blessed and lucky.

On the other hand my best friend has a useless DP who does everything he can to get out of being at home with her and the kids. He also goes out getting pissed every weekend She has 3 kids, 2 step kids, privately rents and has one minimum wage coming in. She does absolutely everything. I can’t remember the last time I saw her without a kid stuck to her. It’s been years. She also moved hours away so has no support from anyone.

I’m constantly saying she should try to work once the littlest is in school so she can have a bit of independence. Her life is hard. I’d say much harder than most full time working Mum’s. She works 24 hours a day and gets 0 time to breathe to herself.

SAHMs of babies/toddlers have it harder than working parents.

SAHMs of school age kids have it easier, is my verdict.

I’m really not trying to be argumentative but what do you mean by outsourcing parenting?

I’ve done both SAHM and working full time. I would say both are equally exhausting. Both have there ups and downs.

in my next life i want to be a dad 😂

Wow, something new and original to talk about

But you’re clearly not trying to “figure things out”. You’ve started a thread with a full blown opinion. And you’ve framed it in a combative manner.

It's not a competition. Most of us are doing our best.
I work FT and I prefer not to dwell upon how hard my life is... I prefer to actually enjoy it!

I think in the vast majority of cases it is easier to be a SAHM, though some exceptions do apply such as carers with disabled children.

Both are difficult.

I'm currently on mat leave with DC2.

It's hard entertaining a baby all day and keeping on top of the house, plus appointments etc.

When I'm at work, I still have to parent and fit in appointments, I just have less time to do those things. I'm very lucky to have a partner who shares the load. I feel bad for spending money when I'm barely contributing financially to the household at the moment. But I know I am contributing, most of the things we try to cram in over the weekend are being done. He can work whatever hours he needs to, because at the moment it's covered.

I think being at work is harder, but I take my hat off to SAHP's because it is hard work at times.

I work part time and thats perfect for me,