Is this a ‘Soft life’

[Wellthatwasabrupt]

And would you want it?

Has Dh, one young Dc and dogs, lives overseas by the beach and countryside, nice house with pool and sea views.
Works 6 hours per week from home. Does all drop offs and pick ups, food shop, dinners, majority to do with Dc and sorting bills. Has a cleaner.
Dh works Mon-Fri -finishes 4.30, no one works weekends.
Days are free based around Dc school drops, coffee with friends, Pilates, yoga, studying or reading if you like, watching Netflix all day if you like, shopping, beach, pool, garden

Would you call this a soft life? Would you like it, be honest?

I think you are being deliberately obtuse.
Are you the soft life wife perchance?

There’s nothing obtuse about saying school and childcare are different, you are the one being obtuse by trying to make this a contradiction. Many families think it’s not in their preschoolers best interest to be in childcare but are happy to send them to school at 4/5, it’s not a contradiction.

It’s dismissive and pathetic to resort to claiming someone is the OP simply because you don’t agree with them.

The person they're talking about is in their 40s so presumably had the chance to get to a very senior role in the workplace before having children. However, that doesn't fit with the 'getting by' narrative as they would likely have considerable savings and other investments by that age.

I don’t understand this thread or what you want from it? Why do you need to read a bunch of random people’s opinions on something you’ve already made up your mind about? Was it just to argue with people? Or are you a journalist?

But surely the “soft” element of a soft life is NOT having to perform those skills - isn’t “soft life” about Pilates and swimming pools and being chilled? Or is it just a lifestyle moniker given to a normal stay at home mum role with comfortable finances, or maybe trad wife? It all seems to be describing the same thing - I don’t get the difference, or investment in promoting “soft life” as new or superior. I have known and know loads of mum’s who stay home and look after their kids and also have time for self care, they are 10 a penny - there’s many good elements around this choice but also challenging elements around personal growth and fulfilment that no one denies.

I give up 🤦🏻‍♀️
There are none so blind as those that cannot see.

Wouldn't call it a soft life but definitely a well sorted life.

Children have to be out of your sight and around others in order to grow. What you’re saying sounds quite unhealthy. The child is safe and happy at school.

Not necessarily. It’s good for kids to see that their parents have their own jobs and priorities and to get used to other caregivers.

There’s a big difference between a little one at childcare being looked after and when they need to learn at school

Ok and so so many don’t! Do you?!

They can be easily socialised with the mother too
Everyone with half a brain knows it’s better for a child to be with its mother, rather than a stranger until at least age 3 and yes lots of research backs it up.

I would hate it - far too limiting mentally , boring as anything

yes working whilst making sure you have time for your kids is difficult especially with school holidays but it’s far better than boredom !

This person does every drop off, every pick up, watches every show, attends every meeting, takes to any clubs, parties, helps with school work, reading and learning after school, cooks every meal from scratch, is there to provide emotional support
You cannot say this is crap!

This person works and studies also, setting a great example to the child who sees this also 👍

Exactly this

God, it sounds boring as hell. And ' this person's' husband sounds like he never sees his child.

Interesting…

Well that’s great - so women should give up on any idea about a job until the kid is in school? Have we teleported back to that very brief point in time where women had to make a choice between motherhood and independence?

And who pays for everything in the meantime? Presumably the father if there is one, otherwise it’s down to the state.

Why isn’t it beneficial for children to be with good caregivers and for their mothers to have a life of their own? It’s good for children to see that women can have a job or career and also children.

Yup

Would I want this life? Well, it would depend on what country and how safe it is long-term, and if my partner and I were happy together. If both those criteria were positive, I'd leap at it. However, if the country is uncomfortably close geographically and ideologically to a war siuation, and if my marriage was unhappy, I'd be desperate to get out no matter how comfortable the life seems to others.

Well you can’t be career driven AND not want to put the hours in. Either it’s an all consuming drive or it’s not.

They see that, they benefit from being around mother at a young age, there is no denying that, they actively need their mother at a young age

Boredom for who? Who is most important, you or your child, especially whilst they’re young?

So many factors would determine whether it would be for me, what country, how close to family & friends, how much spare income etc.