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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that some people would rather be

198 replies

goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 19:46

to think that some people would rather work all the hours they can and earn shed loads of money than earn less and spend quality time at home with the family or doing hobbies and having a relaxing time?

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 02/05/2011 19:58

Yep, it's called personal choice Hmm

Original poster
goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 20:01

It is I agree, but why someone would rather be away from their family for money I do not understand.

Surely your family should be THE most important thing in your life?

OP posts:
Zooo · 02/05/2011 20:01

I suppose tea and stroking could be offered but it wouldn't be practical or realistic for your average family.

ohmyfucksy · 02/05/2011 20:02

Some people actually enjoy their work

indulged · 02/05/2011 20:02

hobbies?

Original poster
goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 20:03

enjoy your work ...yes.....but at the expense of time away from your family...no

hobbies?

OP posts:
lockets · 02/05/2011 20:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

home79 · 02/05/2011 20:05

Maybe people who work long hours for more money are doing it for their family. To give them a better quality of life.

travellingwilbury · 02/05/2011 20:05

Some do and some don't , as long as your family do what suits your family then all is well with the world .

indulged · 02/05/2011 20:05

I just havent heard the term hobbies in ages. Do people still have hobbies?

DuelingFanjo · 02/05/2011 20:06

some people work all the hours thet can to earn shit money, is that ok?

Original poster
goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 20:07

Of course people still have hobbies.

reading
photography
football
golf
tennis
etc etc

OP posts:
stoppinchingthedummy · 02/05/2011 20:10

I actually agree ...i have a parent who works all the hours god sends ,always has ...is minted but knows nothing about any of the children in their life!!! I wish we lived comfortably money wise but i have a wonderful partner and two beautiful healthy children no amount of money for working would make me change any second of that.

TheMonster · 02/05/2011 20:10

I'd rather be working than doing housework while DS is at school.

5Foot5 · 02/05/2011 20:12

"Do people still have hobbies?"

Gosh that has given me a flashback to when I was younger than DD and used to get "Jackie" magazine. One week I was reading the problem page, "Cathy and Claire" (Anyone remember those or am I just old?) and there was a letter saying "We are two 11 year old girls and we are too old for toys but too young for boys. What can we do?" Good old Cathy and Claire recommended HOBBIES and proceeded to list a few good wholesome ideas suitable for 11 yo.

I don't think magazines quite like that exist anymore do they?

takethisonehereforastart · 02/05/2011 20:12

I have a Dilbert desk calendar and one of the cartoons is the pointy haired boss at his desk. The phone rings and when he answers a voice says "While you were at work your children grew up and moved out." He puts the phone down, smiles and thinks to himself "I never had a plan that worked so well!"

I love that cartoon. It wouldn't be my ideal choice but then, my DH works over 250 miles away and comes home at weekends, all to make it possible for us to live the way we do (nothing special really, just a mortgage we can afford and for LO to have extended family around etc).

People are different and usually they do what works for them and their families even if it seems odd to someone else.

scottishmummy · 02/05/2011 20:12

quality family time results from the dual income.good role model to children.and fact is i chose to work,want to work.both parents are productive,we work and talk about work to them

i like the intellectual stimulation,the satisfaction and the financial rewards of working.all things i wouldn't get doing fluff and fold at home

and work pays for the hobbies too

Original poster
goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 20:13

I mean excessive working not while they are at school.

I mean going to work at 7am and not getting back til 9pm etc

OP posts:
NinkyNonker · 02/05/2011 20:15

I have a friend who is working all the hours God sends at the moment, but will be able to semi-retire when he's 45. Plenty of time to chill with the family then. Well, he could fully retire but won't.

Obviously there is the argument that he might pop his clogs due to a stress related illness at 44, but they're all happy so good for them.

I'm more of a 'relaxer', but not everyone is.

Original poster
goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 20:15

ok not getting into a argument here but if your OH works away all week and comes home at the weekend he is basically a single guy during the week.

Would you not rather him be home and earn less?

Would he not rather be home and earn less?

Or is the style you live more important?

OP posts:
TheMonster · 02/05/2011 20:16

We all leave the house at 7.15 am and all get home together at 6.15pm. That's long enough for me.

Original poster
goodbyemrschips · 02/05/2011 20:17

We are relaxers too, but as we bought property when it was cheaper we will both retire at 55.

I work 16 hrs a week now
OH works 30 hrs a week.

OP posts:
mumblechum1 · 02/05/2011 20:17

Um, because children are not the be all and end all of one's life? Or they shouldn't be if you want to have a successful marriage and career.

Zooo · 02/05/2011 20:18

You're assuming that people who work these hours are earning a fortune. Perhaps they work these hours because they HAVE to in order to keep a roof over the family's head.

Some people in this situation live a very modest lifestyle.

nailak · 02/05/2011 20:18

my experience havin a mother who iis a teacher is her leabin at 7, comin back at 7 then doin more work, i wouldnt do it, as i didnt like it as a kid.

i do however need intellectual stimulation, company and adult conversation, friends that know me for me not as the mother of so and so or the wife of so and so, so in order to do this i do voluntary work, numerous courses such as open uni, youth work course, counsellin course etc i learn arabic via skype, and i have reular meet ups with friends, as well as attendin all the kids activities toddlers roups etc.

their is an element of financial deprivation involved in this, and money is tiht, i would value more money, however i am intelectually and emotionally fulfilled, and due to my personal experiences i feel it is important to be home when my kids come back from school etc.

however my oldest is still in nursery, so it remains to be seen if i hold this view in the future, i am unlikely to find hih paid work, so am in a different situation to those with an established career etc

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