Did both of your parents work during your childhood?

[StuntAcorn]

Both mine and DH's parents all worked during our childhoods.
We're early 70s babies.

Apparently this is quite uncommon within our circles, as most of them experienced one full time SAHP.

I was born in 1966 and my brother in 69. From as early as I can remember my mum worked (she was a teacher) and dad worked all over the country. To me it was perfectly normal and I didn't think anything of it! I also worked when my daughter was small as did one other in our anti natal group but we were thought odd!!

I'm another early 70s baby. Both parents worked. They couldn't afford not to.

My grandparents looked after me when I was too young for school, and my Mum would drop me off/pick me up on her way to/from work.

Both working FT in 80s. Moved alot as military. Multiple scary babysitters and one terrifying witch of a neighbour who'd mind after school. I only in adulthood envied friends who'd grown with a bit more contact and a SAHM.

In my position growing up, SAHM wouldn't actually have been better I think. You're only a great SAHM if you really want to do it and enjoy it. Not everyone wants that or can afford it and I totally get it.

Born early 70s. My dad worked throughout. My mum went back to work part-time once my sister and I were both at school, and then full time when I was 14.

@Smartiepants79 I remember kids who were very young,who walked home from school and let themselves in, and were alone until their parents would come home.

There’s even a name for them, “latchkey kids”.

And often, other school mums were childminders for their kids’ classmates.

Both of my parents worked. My mum went back to work 2 weeks after I was born in 1977 and is still working now at 70.

DH’s mother left work to marry his father in 1974. Never worked since.

Born late 80s.Dad worked (but as a vicar, so was actually home a lot, or just next door in his office in the church) and mum worked part time, doing nightshifts as a carer and for a few years she also worked part time as a receptionist in a chiropodists office (I remember once I was off school as I was sick and she took me to work with her there and it was the most painfully boring day of my life, she literally told me to twiddle my thumbs when I complained of being bored). I was the youngest of 5, and once I was in my teen years she worked more often but still only part time and nearly always night shifts so she was around during the day which was nice (though she also picked up hobbies once I was a teenager so she also went out doing her own thing, which was nice for her!)

I’m an 80’s baby, my mum finished work when she was pregnant with me and went back to work when I was 20 (because she got divorced). My step mum always worked.

I was born in the 70’s and both my parents always worked. My grandparents all worked too.

I was born ‘71. Mother took us to local
playgroup as toddlers and worked as soon as we went to primary school. I also remember her going out to an evening factory shift for a few hours and having tea with dad. She then worked full time when we were in middle school (from age 9) and we walked to my nan’s after school. She would call in and pick us up about 5.30.

So yes, both parents worked as far back as I can remember.

I was born late 60s and both my parents worked . Mum was probably a SAHM when I was very young, but then did night school and then worked part time from when I was aged 7 or 8, then full time from when I was 11.

I remember the junior school headmaster voicing disapproval of mums working one time when my sibling was ill whilst at school.

Born 1980. DF worked. Not sure what the household income was, but he was on oil and gas contracts abroad so there were living expenses and periods out of work. DM did some book keeping then got bored, had an affair, drank heavily and broke the family up.

I never really 'saw' them working as DF was abroad or would be out the house at 5am and back at 7pm.

My dad always worked FT. My mum stopped work when we were tiny and went PT when youngest was 3 - it was nearly all part time, term time work she could fit in around school hours etc. When we were secondary age she did slightly longer hours, so often got home after us on work days, but through primary she was always there to pick us up. There was a spell when she had earlier starts where we went to my grandparents before school and they dropped us off. This would have been mid 90s.

50s baby. Mum didn’t work for money! Worked hard at everything else. We walked to school. 25 minutes and I did this with other dc from around 5/6. I can only think of one other working mum in our street. By the 70s, times were changing. Lots of women wanted to go back to work after dc started school. Lots of mums we knew did a part time job in a shop or office. The only ones who worked full
time were teachers. In those days they left just after us! Long holidays guaranteed.

My mam stayed at hiome until me and my sister (the youngest) went to secondary. She then went to university and got a degree and worked various jobs. Always worked term time only xx

Born in the early 60s. Mum went back to work part time when my brother was 4. She was a teacher and took him with her for a year until he started school. She went full time later on. She had a cleaning lady who was also there when we came home a couple of days a week once she went full time. She was hopeless at cleaning and I remember finding her lying on the sofa one time when I came home. I think Mum felt sorry for her as she cared for her disabled mother.

Dad had a job which meant her would often be there at home time and we walked to school ourselves from a very young age.

I was a late 50s baby and my parents always worked. My mum only stopped at 80 when she became too ill. My dad is in his 90s and still works albeit part time and from home. I always worked and still do. My mother had a daily and an au pair. I had a nanny for my children. In writing about this I've realised both my grandmothers also always worked. I guess this explains why I find it odd when women don't. Never considered that before.

I was born in 1979, I didn’t know anyone whose mum didn’t work, that work was often weekends, evenings, home working etc. I think my mum had a couple of years of sahp when I was little because there wasn’t any childcare, but not sure.

Both my grandmothers worked too, think the idea of some golden age when families lived on one income is a myth.

Me and DB born late 70’s/early 80’s. Mum didn’t work when we were little. Dad was a police officer and worked shifts. ( We had alot of Christmas days were dad was working or he did a split shift so we saw him for a couple of hours)
Once we were at secondary she worked in a shop for about 8 years before stopping when dad retired.

Yes, both parents worked full time, and my dad had a sort of second job ( writing books) as well. I was born in the late 50s.

My dad and his 7 siblings were born in the 1950’s and his mum worked weekends so they could all get decent shoes.

My mum went back to work when I was three (I have an older brother, so she was off 84-89)

Apparently she was instrumental in writing the maternity policy for her civil service department. Which makes me oddly proud.

My mum had some years out when we were little and then worked part time until I left university-she was 54. I don’t think she ever worked full time after having kids! My dad worked full time from leaving school and retired at 60.

Very different to how things are for most working people now :(

Yes, mum worked part time when I was in primary then full time in secondary. Both parents worked in community based settings so we often hung out in their work places during holidays etc. They often worked different hours so were around for us

My mum's mum worked when my mum was small as well, so it was pretty normal