If money wasn’t an issue, would you rather work or be a stay at home parent?

[twerkinGherkin]

Just curious. I’m not sure if stay at home parent life is all it’s cracked up to be. My children aren’t in school yet but even when they are, I think I might prefer to work? But putting them in wrap around care is giving me guilt as it’s not necessary. Wondering if I’m crazy to consider working when I don’t need to

Now that the DC are 8 & 10 and firmly in school, a SAHP. In the pre-school years, no thanks!

Work. Looking after a toddler is much, much harder than my job. (Generic office type job - complicated and needs lots of thinking, but not physically or emotionally demanding.)

Work!

I would like to work part time in a less stressful job. I hate working full time but can’t afford to cut hours. Even more so now my children are at school and I could enjoy some time to myself. When they were babies I was grateful to get back to work after maternity leave!

SAHP. To be fair we could probably afford for me to do this on my DH wage but I've got used to having my own money even if it's only part time wages

If money wasn't an issue, I'd definitely rather work part-time in a job I cared about and enjoyed. Don't think I'd enjoy being a SAHM longterm.

Work

Work.

Work, but part time. I enjoy my job, I just wish it didn't take up quite so much of my day.

I would definitely be a SAHP.

Children are in school I'd buy myself a horse and keep myself nicely busy.

part time non intensive work. best of both worlds. stimulating conversation a couple times a week does wonders for the mind.

I'd like to be a SAHW - my DH has become disabled and can't do anything anymore - I need to run the house and at the same time help him with everything. I still wfh which sounds ideal but my work takes intense concentration for hours at a time and that means my DH gets less attention than he actually needs. But we can't afford for me to stop until I get my state pension....

Work. I had the opportunity but I was no more likely to do it than my husband, I relish my financial independence, and having a life outside the home. I also wouldn’t wish to be responsible for the majority of chores.

Different strokes for different folks. Some will love it, some will hate it. No one is wrong🤷🏼‍♀️

DS is 18 months, we're fortunate that we can afford it so I am staying at home until he's 3. I quite enjoy it so far. My days are a big mix of taking DS to playgroups, tumble tots, parks and zoos, I do quite a bit of cleaning and tidying. Make dinner every evening etc . Although Husband works full time, he'll also help around the house. I tend to use DS' nap as my downtime - I read or write my book/watch TV. Obviously it can be dull at times if we can't get out the house cause it's -4 (like this week).
I think when DS starts school, I'd like to go back to work to have something to do though! I can see myself needing the human interaction.

Happy medium- part time interesting work that I enjoy but finish by 4 every day so I can spend time with the kids.

If money was no object, I'd choose a part time job or volunteer role that I really enjoyed. 15 hours spread over 3 days during school hours would be perfect.

Money isn't an issue and I still work because I value having my own income and eventually my own pension.

I will say that the longer I've had in my career the better the flexibility has become, so while we do still use a nursery with our youngest, it's not full time. We also don't have to use wrap-around care, so I'm home to help the older DC with homework, projects, and have a decent chunk of time to myself in the evenings. So my response probably won't be the same as someone who has to work full-time in very set hours, possibly with a commute on top. My commute is minimal, my hours flexible, and my workplace understanding.

If I didn't have any of that I'd probably pick SAHP, at least while my youngest is so very young. It's a fine balance between ambition and guilt.

Work PT.

I would never work again if money was no object.

Work 100%. We are lucky enough to be in a position where I could stay at home, but i can't imagine giving up my career and the mental stimulation it gives me.

I've been a SAHM since they were born (now 13 and 11)) and my husband has been home too since the youngest was about 6. It's been lovely being there for all of it and not missing anything - I wouldn't have wanted to change that even though I did enjoy my job.

Work

Work (part time), since my kids were in school. I found myself becoming a bore when I was at home, getting mired in the minutiae and petty politics of home and pre-school / toddler life. My own fault for sure. I think he respects me more now I am working and likes that I work even though he earns more in a month than I do in a year.

I think I would work part-time as a lesser of two evils. . I don't much like housework or being with babies and young children all day. And coffee mornings and play dates and trips to the park. No thanks.

Depends on the job I suppose. I'm much happier as a SAHP than my old job in retail. However if I'd had a job I'd genuinely enjoyed I might feel differently.