Am I the only WOHM who doesn't feel guilty?

[BringbackSpringsteen]

I'm always really surprised by how many posters on here feel really guilty about using childcare.

We use nursery/wraparound 3/4 days a week and have done since ours were 1, also evening babysitters every few weeks and a few weeks of school holiday club. I honestly don't feel bad about it. I genuinely have no desire to pick them up at 3 every day, I am totally fine with wraparound etc. I think I would go mad if I had both kids for 6 weeks of summer holidays every year.

Am I totally alone in this? I really do enjoy the time I spend with them, I just don't want more, I have found the balance that works for me (we both work 4 days a week).

I hear you! I like the balance too! Being on the playground every day at 3 … I’m happy to avoid it for a few days each week!! Also some holiday club on hols- a couple of summers I’ve had the whole lot off, and I don’t think any of us were happier for it!

I don’t! Although mine is older now I’ve worked since she was 9 months old. I had PND and I was actually better when I went back to work. I like having a sense of identity outside of work. I’m now a single parent and I’m so glad I held on to my career! DD is happy at 9. I get plenty of time with her.

I don't feel guilty at all. Ds is 3.5 and is in full time nursery and has been since it reopened post-covid. I LOVE the time I spend with him, and DH and I have deliberately chosen to live in an apartment closer to our work, so we don't have long commutes and can see more of him.

DS will also have so many more opportunities in the future because we can afford to pay for more with 2x professional salaries, and when he's older and needs a job/work experience/internships he'll have two lots of parental professional networks to work with.

I've never even had the slightest desire to not work - I have an interesting career with lots of potential for growth. That being said, it's totally normal where I live, I don't know a single SAHM or even anyone who works part time other than the odd freelancer.

I do sometimes wonder if I'm a bit defective though 😂.

I actually feel more guilty now he's a teenager and too old for childcare. He has to come home to an empty flat 3 days a week and be on his own in the holidays all day sometimes. At least he had company at childcare.

But hey, I need to work as I'm a single mum.