to think that SAHM's with school-age children are in fact just stay at home people?

[Pissyflaps]

I'm going to get flamed backwards for this, but I really don't care. I'm also going to be accused of all manner of trollery, bite me.

It's my opinion, I want yours - so, SAHM's who's children are at school-all day, aren't they just stay at home people? Not a lot of parenting goes on as far as I can tell.

Ok Pissyflaps enlighten us please as to what you do and if your are a parentt yourself .

Wow, this thread has grown quick.

MissingMyHeels I don't agree with you about state benefits. I'm disabled so have been on them since before I had Tink, I worked out that to earn enough money to break, which is not a lot really, even I would need £150 a week plus I would need to find childcare.

The only reason that benefits should be a concern to anyone is that there is no incentive to go back to work when you can't find a job to fit around you family and earn enough money to live. But that's the government's fault when it's so desperate to get people back to work and not supporting them to. I've been looking into it because I'm looking at taking a job as a BF Peer Supporter with the NHS and not sure how I can fit the hours around Tink.

ooh yes, DV - I'm a lazy SAHM (really!) Dh has a really demanding job & luckily we can afford for me not to WOH so I don't. I was made redundant a couple of years ago just as DS1 reached school age & as I'd spent years listening to the stresses & problems of my colleagues who were WOHMs I figured I could do without it. I do the odd freelance job I can fit in around the DCs.
However, I put in a couple of hours childcare between 7am & 9, then from 3.30. They go to bed 7.30/8pm but I don't usually sit down til 9 as I'm getting their packed lunches ready & also cooking supper for DH & I. That already adds up to more than 7 hours. During the day I do a bit of laundry/cooking/meal planning/ tidying - probably 1-2 hours worth.
The free time I get to read the paper & watch stuff I've Sky plused I reckon I've earned.

My cousins wife doesn't work, they have a 2 year old. They have a part time nanny, a cleaner, a dog walker, ironing and dry cleaning service. On her two days off (i.e when the nanny is there) she goes to the gym, meets friends for lunch, goes shopping, does various courses, book groups etc. She plans to do the same ad infinitum.

I see nothing wrong with that, they can afford it, and she is an amazing mother but needs the time out. I would certainly do the same if I was in her position.

& of course I am full-time mummy in the holidays, which are 12-hour days...

It has probably been said but we are mothers 24 hours a day regardless of what we do during those hours.

It's the hardest job in the world, but one that is paid not by money but by the love and small moments that make you so happy your heart almost bursts out of your chest.

Sorry, that sounds like a hallmark card. I mean it.

I only know one SAHM with all her children at school. She does various things

PTA (very active)
Looks after her friend who is very ill and a single mum
Goes on various school trips to make up the adult numbers
Is often the emergency 'carer' for several parents who WOTH

All the things you don't actually 'see' happening basically.

Pissy - my dh works long hours (at least 2 days a weeks he's not home before 9, and about once a week it's more like Midnight-1 AM - Out to corporate dinners.He also goes away for up to a week once a month. I've often said I will happily go and live in a cheaper part ofthe country/world and just grow cabbages, but he loves his work, stressful tho it is. And he would never come home and ask what I'd done all day - like I said, it's not possible to ask this without being patronising. He knows that for all his long hours, I actually wrok longer, I'm up at the same time and don't get gym time/lunchhours/coffee breaks/taken to dinner. And I'm the one who gets up in the night. So he doesn't ask me what I've done all day, and I think it's just as patronising for you to.

I'm still a mum while I'm at work, so why would someone not be a mum at home if their children were in school?
As a working/studying mum, I really appreciate the SAHMs that go into the school to hear the children read, go on trips to make up the numbers, all that kind of thing. I wish I could do it too, but made my choice to re-train, which is what I'm doing while mine are at school. (I still get the holidays though- whoo hoo).

Oh.F.F.S - are we doing this thread again???? Didn't we do this last week/month/year? Nothing will change, it's just a stupid question, from a stupid OP/troll with an offensive name.

If you want a fight go and stand outisde the local pub.

I work part time. My children are so old that one is on work experience. I am off today as the youngest was ill yesterday, and I wasn't sure if she would be at school today and rejigged my hours. She is at school. I am home alone and it is bliss!

Actually, WannaBe has a good point. It is (mainly) the SAHM's who listen to the children read at school, volunteer to help on school trips, sports days etc.

Personally I volunteer at school 3 afternoons a week. Once in reception class, and twice at the Junior School helping the dyslexic children work through a specialised reading programme.
And yes, I was one of the parents who helped get the infant school children changed for their nativity, who helps serve coffee to parents at said nativity, who serves tea and coffee at new parent open mornings, in fact I am much much busier now then when the dc were tiny or when I worked full time.

On the assumption that most of us are women on here why can't we just acknowledge that everyone has different circumstances which can influence the decisions they make regarding working/ child-rearing. There is no 'one size fits all' approach. We should all cut each other some slack. I have total respect for those who wohm full-time. I have chosen to be SAHM but for all sorts of reasons. Now dd is at school yes, I can go to the gym but I don't spend all the time she is there on 'me time'. As others have said there is the walk to school and back plus once home it is full-time childcare. Alot of my time is spent involved with the school (pta and classroom helper) and on other community groups. DP is often away at short notice and frequently works all evening and at week-ends (self-employed). We have no family nearby so I am 'on duty' for all those times which probably equates to far more hours than the few dd is at school.

Have not read the thread, just the OP - you are disgusting. Nasty changed name - gross! And ridiculous title. Why don't you get lost and find your kicks elsewhere?

Shall I ask again ? - Pissyflaps , what is it you do and are you a parent ?

Boring, boring thread.

Lame try, Pissyflaps. No, I don't share your opinion.

But mine is that you're a bitter and spiteful person to even care what someone else does so much.

So they stay at home whilst the children are in school. BFD. It's like they're spending their spare time dealing drugs or planning terrorist attacks.

Find a better cause to direct your spite towards.

It's not like they're spending their time, I meant . . .

OK fellow SAHP / WOHP / students etc lets leave this thread and go and do something more constructive eh ?

What a stupid OP.

I KNEW there was a thread that needed my input!

My children are 7,3,1 and 6mths pg with nuber 4.
We set up our own business so I could stay at home, I will probably still be at home when my youngest is at school.

I will run the business, clean the house,cook,do the washing,ironing,organise bills,ride my horses,see my family/friends,get my nails done,walk the dog and all that between 08:45 and 3:15!

If we can afford it does it matter what I do?

Should I bother reading this thread? Has it morphed into a class battle yet?

can i just say that "there are no jobs that fit around school hours" makes me want to reach for my gun. no of course there aren't. did you really think there would be?

ok there are a teeny tiny amount.

btw - nothing wrong with sah when kids are at school imho.