AIBU to ask what SAHMs do all day

[Ticktockk]

Because I’m struggling a bit. Due to various circumstances I’m not working at the moment. All kids are in school all day. I walk the dog, do the washing, tidy up a bit. And then what do I do? Sometimes I go to the gym or do a bit of my hobby. I feel like I don’t have a raison d’être. But the house is very clean!

How do you pass the time? Shall I start an expensive gin habit?! Joking aside though, I’m finding it hard.

Whatever I want! I don't think I can class myself as a SAHM anymore as the youngest is a teenager.
You do have to make your peace with pleasing yourself. I no longer feel guilty for sitting in the hot tub for an hour or reading for a couple of hours knowing DH is up to his neck in it at work.
I love being on my own though, it would be harder if I didn't as all my friends are back working full time now.

If this is your situation then I'd say find some fun and relaxing things to do and enjoy the peace while you can guilt free because it's not going to last very long.

Confused by some replies. If you have teens/school age kids you're not a SAHM, you're unemployed.

And so it begins….

I worked part-time for a long time and now am a sahm. I still don't have enough time for everything!

Things I do/have done -

Cleaning. I try and clean one room thoroughly a week at the moment.

Gardening. I don't really like gardening but it never seems to end!

OU degree

Reading

Developing a computer program

Sorting out photos and making in to albums.

Decluttering and selling on Vinted

Meeting up with friends

Daytrips for shopping / museums that don't interest the kids.

What? It's true.

Maybe just allow yourself to rest for a bit? No guilt in it if this is what you need. Then think about what you want to do. If you cant work right now are there any skills you can gain that will help in the long term, any dream careers you can start studying towards?

It doesn’t take much to confuse some people. If it in some way makes you feel better to class me as unemployed rather than a SAHM, go for it. I have no need or intention of returning to work so maybe I’m actually retired. 😉

why? when you have teen and school age kids and work full time, you are not a mother anymore?

Oh I don't mean retirement age.

I don't know what you mean. I mean they are not stay at home mums. The kids aren't there. They are just jobless.

I’m in my 40s, don’t work, youngest is a teen, if I’m not a SAHM according to you, then I’ll be early retired. Lovely. ☺️

Oh obviously not SAHM as kids not there. How come you don't work?

I walk the kids to school and back, which is 1.5 mile each way so there’s only five hours to fill in the day. I currently have a three year old at home with me but when he goes to nursery, once I’ve added his drop off in, that’ll be 4 and a hour hours to fill. I do the laundry, cleaning (I get big jobs like clearing and cleaning the kitchen cupboards, cleaning the oven etc done more often than when I worked), had some lunch, got dinner prepped it’s pretty much time to set back off to pick up the kids.

It’s none of your business. Why does it put your nose so out of joint that she doesn’t work?

I'm curious as to why.

Because I don’t need to and don’t want to. 😇

Very lazy and weird, each to their own 🤔

I always feel really sad for people like you. You just seem so miserable and angry at other people who don’t have to be miserable like you.

I hope things improve for you xxxx

Eww not the standard fake patronising response. Always a go to 🤦‍♀️

Maybe @Tink3rbell30 is a bit stressed and could do with a period of time off work. They certainly seem a bit worked up about how random people on the internet classify themselves. Now that’s weird.

The guaranteed false patronising reply as there's nothing else to say.. very predictable.

I find that I don’t have that much spare time as often someone’s off School ill, I’m ill and the School hols come round so fast.
Gardening, gym, volunteering with the School and my time is full! This year I’m aiming to grown some salad/vegetables.xx
Forgot vinted!

Better to be lazy and weird than downright rude.

🤣