AIBU to feel uneasy about mothers leaving successful careers?

I suppose if you don't have a career then the DH decides to leave then you may be at a great disadvantage financially.

Growing up, I watched my mum clean toilets after my father’s business failed. I didn’t leave my job, in fact I worked for a pittance after child care fees, and worked part time during pre-school years. (All of our money has always been joint). In Australia, you have govt pension if you qualify and private superannuation. We are living quite comfortably on money I saved in super, Without that, we’d be in a lot less desirable situation. Everyone decides what’s right for them, but sometimes life sends curveballs.

YABU in the sense that being a mother is much more important that having a high flying career, I was delighted to resign from mine. It meant nothing to me as compared with being a mother.

YANBU in the sense that you feel a bit uneasy about this. That is unsurprising, as the education system, government and mass media brainwash girls with career, career, career from the moment they start school. Marriage and motherhood are treated as after thoughts now, unfortunately.

I’m the type of person though who knows what is actually of high value. I’m delighted you’re seeing more mothers pushing back against all of the career pressure- good on them! Enjoy your children while they are little, it goes way too quickly.

Why does your DH have no bond with your children until they are toddlers?

I quit my successful and highly paid career when my first was born. I refused to do it all. DH agreed it wouldn’t be in the children’s or my best interests for me to do it all (seeing as he couldn’t be pregnant, couldn’t breast feed, had no bond with them until they were toddlers and probably older etc). So I stayed at home, he worked. He looks after and protects all of us financially while I look after and protect all of us in all the other ways. Not a great feminist or non-feminist statement, just real life. If anything ever happens to us I’d be the overall winner because I’d get the money and the kids - I can’t earn anywhere near as much now, he can walk into a big job any time he wants at this point. Both of us look at each other and our children and think we’re the luckiest people alive.