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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to have come to the following conclusions about 'who has it easier'...?

28 replies

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 14/09/2011 11:18

I've recently gone back to work part time after being a SAHM for 3 years. In that time I've seen various threads on here about SAHP vs WOHP etc etc

Due to our various shift patterns etc, our childcare arrangements are that 3 days a week I am at home with the kids, 2 days a week DH is at home and 1 day they go to nursery. So I get to experience it all - SAHP, WOHP with kids in nursery and WOHP with kids looked after at home!

On the nursery day it is a bloody struggle! Getting them out of the house by 7.30 so we can both catch our train on time, guilt at leaving the little one screaming, then feeling guilty for having to rush out of the door at work at 5pm on the dot to be able to pick the kids up on time, trying to feed and bath tired grouchy kids when it's already past their bedtime etc etc.

On my SAHM days it's easier and I enjoy being with them but it's still hard work doing the general stuff that comes with 2 preschoolers and also doing the washing etc, keeping the house in a reasonable state, and cooking all the meals.

On the days DH is at home with them I can leave the house 20 mins later than on the nursery day and get to the train on time, I don't stress about them at work as I know they are happy and being cared for by DH, I can stay on a bit later at work if I need to finish something off and I get home to a cooked meal and 2 happy, clean kids Grin

Therefore, from my completely unbiased research I can conclude, definitively that:

  1. parents who both work have it toughest and deserve a bloody medal
  2. SAHPs still have it pretty tough and work really hard (as if I didn't already know..)
  3. parents who go to work while their partner looks after the kids definitely have the easiest life!

No longer will I listen to anyone on one of those threads where SAHMs complain about DHs not helping with housework who says 'but he has to work all day and pay the bills...' that's the easy bit!! AIBU?

OP posts:
Whatmeworry · 14/09/2011 16:45

You also need to differentiate between SAHM with kids at school vs at home, there is way more time in day with kids at school.

Ormirian · 14/09/2011 16:50

Gosh I don't think so

nope definitely not you crystal! I'm much too fat and old Grin

TadlowDogIncident · 14/09/2011 16:54

I agree - I work FT, DH is SAHD, housework is split 50-50. I've just posted on another thread about how grim early motherhood is, but actually I know quite well I have it easy compared with DH.

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