To think that it's ok to want to bring up your children and to be a mother, just as it's ok to go out to work instead?

[bronya]

I was brought up to 'have a career' and to think about work not babies. I admit I'd be bored doing nothing, and love the tutoring that I do - but I have no wish at ALL to be the main wage earner and leave the childcare to someone else. When my DS was born, it felt like I was complete. I'm happier, have more self esteem and confidence than I've ever had. I've met many other mums who feel similarly. Surely, our choice is just as valid as those who are WOHM? The point of feminism was that we should have that choice - whichever one we choose is our decision, surely?

[Permanentlyexhausted]

Exactly that, Bumble, as helping SAHPs to be SAHPs doesn't stop skilled workers dropping out of the workforce; quite the opposite.

[jellybeans]

'the problem you have is SAH is only 10% of women so you wont win in a democracy.'Where did you get that stat? is that of all women?

I read that of mothers with young children, roughly 1/3 stay at home, 1/3 work part time and 1/3 work full time. So 2/3 have a SAHP or p/t worker which could be anywhere from 1 hr a week to many hours.

[BitOutOfPractice]

It keeps coming back to the top of my "threads you're on" list PE! I must have the attantion span of a gnat

[YouAreMyFavouriteWasteOfTime]

i cannot find the reference. but it was in the news a while back. but its not inconsistent with your figures (its not looking a SAH on young DC).

[Philoslothy]

Retro, why would you want help with childcare costs when you don't need childcare? If you went out to work, you most also be able to claim for help with childcare - you have chosen not to work.

It would be like me moaning that I don't get Boots Advantage Card points because I choose to shop in Superdrug.

I think if you post strong opinions with passion people are going to direct questions at you and remember your posting history. Most of us don't feel that strongly and therefore you stand out. Most of us experience life as a SAHP or a working parent and therefore do not see things to be quite as black and white.

I think you may have a point about tax allowance.

As a poster above said this is more about the cost of childcare than having a pop at SAHP. I have benefitted from a very expensive state education, I was expensive to train as a teacher. If I had trained as a doctor I would be even more expensive to train, it seems daft to spend all that taxpayers money on training me and then have me out of the work place for decades to look after my children .


One person who earns 50K is on a very good wage, that is what I earn and I do see my wage as a very good wage? It is about double the average wage, the difference is that you are choosing to support your whole family on that wage. For many families being able to support their whole family on one wage is a luxury.

I agree that childcare should be available to help people train for the work place.