Anyone a SAHM with school age children?

[Pinkbutton85]

I have one at school and one at nursery. Finances mean I can remain a SAHM. But a bit 'meh' about it.

What do you do with your days?

I've got 3 children in school but I have a chronic illness so the energy I have is very limited. I think that stops me from getting bored/restless!

I read a lot, write sometimes, try to get out at least once a day with the dog, and try to make sure all housework is done while they are at school so I can spend time with them when they come home.

I've a few SAHM friends and one of them is into health and fitness and spends time achieving her fitness goals, another who is a vegan and researches recipes and puts them online. I also have friends who do charity work for a church, volunteer in shops and charity organisations.

Is there anything you would really like to do and have never found time for?

I spend 2 days a week volunteering, plus about an evening a week volunteering at something else. I spend approx two days a week studying. Other days - shopping etc as we are on a tight budget so price check everything and use coupons etc, DIY - I do everything round the house, decorating as we bought a house that was in a bit of a state.

Personally if I had the choice I would have worked part time all along but logistically that doesn't work. Im hoping to go back to work in about a year - when my youngest is in year one - but only wrap around childcare is full, so basically unless I get a job with set hours in about June then I don't have childcare. I can't get childcare without a job (for financial reasons and because I won't know what days to book for) and I cant get a job without childcare. However as I am likely to work until lIm 70 anyway, at the moment Im not too worried about it.

I have an eight year old and a four year old.
Last year was harder as nursery hours didn't coincide with school hours very well and I felt like I was coming and going a lot.
I don't work because we'd still need extra childcare and my earning potential is low. I have fibromyalgia and struggle with energy levels, so it's nice to have the quiet time in the day to get on with things at my own pace.
Don't know how I would have coped with working this year so far. I went down with flu on NYE and then three weeks later another bout of something similar. Last week was when I finally started to feel well and actually able to do things. I can imagine most employers reaction to that!

OP, could you consider going back to work part time? This is what I did, and I feel that it's the best of both worlds.

I was a SAHM when my DC were little, and financially I could have stayed at home when they started school. But I wanted to go back to work because I enjoy my job. As much as I love being a mum, part of my identity and sense of self-esteem is related to my work too.

Now I have an interesting job that I enjoy but I still get to see a lot of my kids, pick them up from school some days etc. Plus two days a week at home while they're at school to sort out admin, meet a friend for coffee etc.

if you're 'meh' about it then I wouldn't do it. It won't benefit you or your DC.

I do whatever I want and it is fantastic.

Of course when they start they only go to school for 190 days per year for 6 hours a day. Take off another hour for the school run and that gives 5 hours per day.

I currently am, baby no2 took a lot longer to come along than we thought so while my ds is now in reception I'm due the next in August. I hate it. I mean, really hate it. I'm so bored and craving adult contact. I volunteer, but would love to be able to go back to work. (I love being a sahm when I actually have a child at home!!)

I'm the same and I bloomin love it!! One at school full time, one at nursery 2.5 days. To be fair, that only gives me two 'free' days as the half day is only 2 hours from getting in to needing to leave again. My time with the dc is so much more enjoyable now.

What do I do? Well I go for a lovely run a few times a week, meet up with friends, and do domestic jobs. I have a list of about 80 diy tasks that need done in our house, mostly bits that need finished off. I'm plodding through that. I clean, (doing all the 'deep clean' stuff that hasn't been done since Ds arrived!). This has only been since January, I'm not bored yet. I'm going to be cracking on with the garden soon as well.

I am going to look for some work that will fit in around school runs, maybe cleaning/ironing, and I do very ad hoc exam invigilating at a local school which actually pays surprisingly well for unskilled work.

We are very lucky that Dh earns a good income and my being at home means that he can work long hours which currently suits us all. I gave up teaching to sahm 3.5 years ago.

I am, mine are older and it is great. My DH works shifts so he is here a lot in the day so we get to spend lots of time together.

I matched bet and also work from home for a company called Appen so I can contribute towards the bills.

I think she meant feeling meh about remaining a SAHM.

I'd look for a job 2 to 3 days a week and see how it goes.