To wonder why anyone with school-aged children would want to be a SAHM?

[Badtasteflump]

And what they do all day?

I have my flame-proof hard-hat ready

In the spirit of the general shit-stirring on here today I though I would ask this - as I do really wonder. Fair enough when you have pre-school aged children, I can understand wanting to be a SAHM. But once your children are at school full-time, what is there to do all day?

I work PT (school hours, basically). I manage (jointly with DH) to get all the housework, cooking, diy, etc) done in the evenings & weekends, no problem. If I were at home all day I really think I would go a bit mad - either that or I fear I would gradually become relegated to the role of house-slave, doing all the housework and childcare myself because I wouldn't have the excuse of a 'proper' job. . .

Because their lives lack the validation.

I have a team of 3 Swedish gardeners provided free of charge by my kommun. Their pictures are on my profile page. God bless the EU and it's right to reside in any member state.

^ response to hobnob

InMyPrime - who says SAHMs lack social respect ? Is that your view?

And how many jobs are really, really that interesting? Fine if you are CEO of some multi-million pound company or have a vocation that you love but I guess most jobs are pretty run of the mill with very little opportunity for using your initiative .............. you can be just as 'bored' in a paid job. I know which lifestyle I prefer .

'I know I'm a good person, I know I contribute to this world, my family and my community I just don't need a cheque at the end of each month with my name on it to remind me, Why should I?'

Excellent comment from HowlingBitch

My earlier post about WOHM was not from a stance of criticism (I WOH) I was just implying that the OP was equally shit stirring as an Op that would criticise WOHM just to get to get people wund up. (Hope that's clearer)

My neighbour retired at 50. He did so because he could afford it and because he preferred gardening and doing volunteer work . But I'm guessing you probably wouldn't judge him because he is a MAN

Excellent kladdkaka
Where do you live BTW ?!

Really FlatStomach? You can genuinely see no undertone in the OP or her subsequent posts? I'm amazed.

I know Fanjo (I feel so rude calling you that) it was a real eye opener. I was cruising round the Ionians in a little yacht with DH pre marriage, kids etc and had to check in VIA Blackberry every couple of days or else. One day there was an email from a Director ranting about the size of an embroidered logo on a cap. I mean, seriously?! I was a Board member, the only female and yes, I was the marketing person but I had people who did this stuff! Who were in the office he was emailing from, yet he chose to hassle me. That was a wake up call. I left fairly soon after and retrained as a teacher.

I've been thinking about the comment that SAHMs have nothing to talk about, does that mean you only talk about work Gay? Cause we don't in this house, we discuss politics, world events, tv, friends, shared plans, thoughts, ideas etc...just general chat. Does that not count?

Let's not forget the dogs that can't be left for more than a few hours.

Indeed. Here in Sweden it is a criminal offence to leave a dog alone for more than 4 hours.

Wow, and I thought Britain was a nanny state!

"I've been thinking about the comment that SAHMs have nothing to talk about, does that mean you only talk about work Gay? "

Im on maternity leave and I still have plently to rant about on here and in RL. Infact more time to think about politics, economics, religion and actually research it. Though Im sure I should be taking it easier than this....

Ah, you live in Sweden, kladdkaka !
I was distracted by your photos !
Cute house too

JillySnooper put it so well that I am just going to copy and paste her post and add that after spending 20 years in banking before becoming a mother I love being a SAHM and I never ever ever want to go anywhere near an office again!

Because I want to.
Because I have plenty of money so can afford to.
Because I prefer to spend my days with friends of my choosing rather than colleagues I might loathe.
Because I have interests and hobbies that I love and can indulge in.
Because my children love it.
Because my husband loves it.
Because my parents love it.
Because I enjoy my voluntary and community work.
Because I can think of nothing worse than being on someone else's time.

surely as long as you're happy with the way you get to the end
the fisherman

Will probably have to go back to work at least part time when youngest goes to school. Unless pagwatch would like to give me some of her money?

'Yup. Cos I dont do nuffink political. Not me. Ever.'

In my Peachy guise I am well known on MN for not being political.

Oops deary me, laughed so hard ai fell off my chair.

I disagree with that, Riven. We were on a thread together the other day where the OP had said that her SAH H was a lazy arse. And lots of people agreed with her.

Kladdakaka My gardeners wear dungerees and resemble Mario and Luigi

Kladdkakka, I am moving to Sweden forthwith - I am particularly taken by Bjorn although the other two would do in a pinch.

You are welcome to join my gardener gigolo business if that helps pink4ever