AIBU to hate being a SAHM?

[MrsPandigital]

I feel so ungrateful for saying this, as I know some people would probably dream of being a SAHM. But I hate it. So damn much!

It's sooooo boring and my brain feels unused. I love my daughter(1.5years old) but my gosh, she is exhausting and relentless. Really difficult to get to nap, really high maintenance.

I left work because I was a secondary maths teacher and hated it, even more so after returning from maternity leave and lesson planning / marking etc ate into evenings and weekends.

So AIBU for hating being a SAHM?

I'm genuinely not sure if you're being facetious or not

I'm not. I don't think nurseries are a good environment for under 3s so I was a SAHM, DH worked long hours and I have no family nearby.

I went to toddler groups and chatted to mums about things other than kids. If they were responsive, I arranged to meet up to continue our non baby talk

I don't think young children need to be entertained all the time so would put DD in front of Peppa Pig whilst I read. I'd listen to Radio 4 through my headphones when the playdough was out or whilst she ran around the park.

It's just a few years out of a long working life, nuture your hinterland rather than pining for the office or wherever you used to toil.

Or just go back to work!

I am working! Doesn't mean the days I don't work aren't hard.

I suppose that's the difference though - I don't have a toddler who I can let run around the park by himself without climbing and falling off something, or who will watch TV without also trying to multitask by shoving toy cars under the sofa. Hopefully it will get easier when he's not 2.

@MinnieMountain

And I’m hopeless at linking but there’s an old thread on it on AMA.

Thank you!

You’re welcome. The poster there is an ex-maths teacher.

I completely understand that not wanting to stay as a SAHM. I did it until DS was 2 then I felt I was wasting my brain and my training (I’m a solicitor). Going back PT felt amazing.

@RivingtonPike

I'm genuinely not sure if you're being facetious or not

I'm not. I don't think nurseries are a good environment for under 3s so I was a SAHM, DH worked long hours and I have no family nearby.

I went to toddler groups and chatted to mums about things other than kids. If they were responsive, I arranged to meet up to continue our non baby talk

I don't think young children need to be entertained all the time so would put DD in front of Peppa Pig whilst I read. I'd listen to Radio 4 through my headphones when the playdough was out or whilst she ran around the park.

It's just a few years out of a long working life, nuture your hinterland rather than pining for the office or wherever you used to toil.

Or just go back to work!

This is how I feel about it all. I love the flexibility of being a sahm, I enjoy my children and didn't like the idea of them being looked after by a nursery or childminder while they were small. It's such a short period of time. I hate the idea that you must be braindead to enjoy it, my days of being a sahm are coming to an end now that my eldest will be starting school in September and I feel so bittersweet about it. Of course there were shit days, but that's the same for any job.