to ask for your childhood experiences of a working or stay at home mother?

[suddenlycupishalffull]

I do not want to start a bun fight on the old debate, what I'm interested in your experiences as a child of your mum working or staying at home. There's so much in the press at the moment about working mothers (link below of latest example), it seems there's a real push to get mothers back to work, and in another thread, another poster mentioned she felt her younger siblings benefitted from their mother going to work through her increased confidence and self-belief. So I wonder what was your experience as a child? I'll go first...my Mum stayed at home but to be fair I really don't have any memories of that magical golden childhood that a SAHM is meant to engender...we had holidays, some big ones, I wasn't aware that we struggled for money though I found out when my Dad died that they were struggling...I'm not sure that I was any happier for my Mum being there all the time but then I knew no different. What was your experience, particularly if your Mum went back to work when she had been at home or visa versa?

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/24/having-a-working-mother-works-for-daughters

My mother was a very miserable SAHM. She worked in a factory before she got married and while it wasn't a glamorous or well-paid job, I think Mam missed the routine and the social aspect of her job. There was no contraception back then (at least, here in holy Catholic Ireland) and within a few short years she had a handful of kids. It was hard to get out and about with 5 kids and no car and I think Mam was quite isolated and lonely at home. She wasn't a natural homemaker (she was a terrible cook) and never did anything like baking or crafts with us. My Dad worked but had a very low-paid job. There was never enough money to go around and there were lots of rows about money.

Me and my sister were in childcare from about 5 years old. Before and after school we were with a childminder and in the school holidays we were with the childminder.

My only memories from my childhood with regards my mom is when we went on holidays because that's when we spent extended time with her. I have no memories of normal day-to-day stuff, or trips out or memories of fun things we did together and it does make me sad.

On the other hand I know she worked herself into the ground to provide the best life she could for me and my sister and I will always love her for that

My mum was a SAHM all through my childhood and it was lovely. I came home from school for lunch and she was always there at home time. No after school, no baby sitters etc. I'm so thankful I've been able to provide a similar environment for my own children (although it's split between me and DH as we both work flexible hours).

My mum always worked and still does. The nature of her job meant that she worked shifts and so did my Dad. Sometimes the shifts worked out so one was home sometimes we had babysitters. It really only bothered me at weekends and times like Christmas usually one of them was working.
As we got older I took on a lot of the babysitting responsibility and found this hard at times. I look back now and think how young I was looking after my siblings, social services would have a field day. However I am very grateful to both my parents for working so hard to give us all we needed. They were just doing what they had to do to survive and provide for us. I had a happy childhood, I had loving parents and never wanted for anything. There's no textbook correct method for perfect childhood you just do your best and love your children.

My mum was a sham until I was 14 then she went back to work. I remember her saying she was 'really bored' with staying home and I remember feeling bad about that. I got over it in high school when it was absolute bliss to come home with no parents around. She was happier working, when I was younger I was happier her not working.

I now work part time and am happier working part time than not at all. I think I would be less happy working full time though and since it's an option for us I just keep at it.

My DM worked part-time and although in many ways she was like a 'surrendered wife' in her relationship with DF, she always refused to consider giving up her work. It was her little bit of independence and she loved it.

Thanks to her hours, I actually think of her as a SAHM because she was there at drop off, lunchtime and pick up time.

I guess I had the best of both worlds because from a young age, she taught me it was important to work and have your own finances, but I also didn't miss out on her attention.

My mum stayed at home until I was 5 and then worked full time until she retired. Even though it was more unusual then, it was a positive experience for me - I was proud to tell people I had a working mum.

I work part time (in a professional role) which suits me perfectly.