So I've decided (always knew) to be a stay at home mum. I'm perfectly happy to do this with childcare costs being so expensive in London it won't make a huge financial difference, but even if it did I'd probably stay at home.
I've been shocked by how much people have questioned this choice and expected me to justify it. People keep asking about going back to work and are shocked when I say I'm not (well outside the home). Yet nearly all the mum's I know returning to work express unhappiness. My mother worked when I was a child and was in the minority. I'm genuinely surprised by how unusual people seem to find it. I've found myself justifying it due to the cost of childcare etc. As people seem so judgmental of me doing it just because I want to and feel it's best for my child. I think happy parents are what's best for children generally so if other parents want to work good for them. I also know it is a financial need for some. Though with the cost of childcare near me you'd have to earn a lot to make it worthwhile. Am I missing some social etiquette for this? AIBU to leave my career to be a stay home mum, because I want to? People also make comments that we must be loaded (I wish!) which I find offensive. Though obviously we can afford to eat and put a roof over our heads on one income which I know is fortunate. Some of the people saying it though a certainly more affluent they just have different lifestyle expectations. I don't know if I'm be overly sensitive. I just as surprised being a sham is seen as such a radical choice. I am generally a quite and conservative person so I also find it surprising that people think what I'd view as private family dynamics as up for public debate. Then how many children you're going to have seems to be as well.