OK, so I've finally made the decision, handed in my notice and I'm going to be a SAHM for a couple of years - eek! Tell me the best and the worst I have to look forward to.

[IHeartKingThistle]

I teach secondary at the moment. DCs 5 and 2. Finances should be OK but I might do a bit of tutoring. I'm feeling good about it.

But what is it actually going to be like? Can you tell me best things and worst things please? I feel like I need to prepare myself!

TIA

Scared but excited is about right.

So, we're both leaving our jobs AND ditching jeans for dresses? Kindred spirits

Best: freedom
Worst: children often resemble the bossiest, most irrational boss you've ever had.

You asked!

Yes, I want brutal honesty - thank you!

I'm a sahm currently by accident really. I had to close my shop a couple of months ago because things were going badly. I'm 24 weeks pregnant so it's a bit pointless trying to find work now.

I'm enjoying being at home immensely. I've caught up with old friends, made new ones, spent time with family. Just had an amazing unexpected week playing in the garden because of the lovely weather. My toddler has come on leaps and bounds with my full attention and the house is far tidier than it used to be.

The only down side is that I've had a couple of 'lonely days'. But I expect I've just got to get used to my own company.

Generally life has just slowed down and become less stressful which is just lovely really.

I think flag has got it in one.
Days are a lot slower, more time to dawdle at your child's pace stopping to watch the ants or look at the blossom growing on the trees.
It can be a bit lonely, you will feel devalued by society... But sod them.
You will be doing the best job in the world.

How exciting, Im sure you will love being a sahm. Moomoomie is right you do feel abit lonely sometimes and devalued but who cares you get to enjoy your life and spend such valuable time with your children that you will never get to have again, so enjoy!

I now love not having to rush back from work every evining or feel incredibly guilty about having leaving my work half done because school has called about your DC feel sick.

I also looooove spending more time with my Ds, he is really interesting and fun company. We do lots together and I feel we have a very strong bond. I also like having the time to organise playmates for him, as he is a bit shy.

The not good bits: although I enjoy collecting DS from school, I abhor the mum cliques! But that's just because my social skills need some polishing. I am also concerned about my long term prospects and if I could fine a part time job in my field, I would take it.

Worst Thing: People constantly telling you you've made and awful decision and totally berating you for it on here.

Best Thing: Enjoying a nice cup of coffee and reading about it with your feet up as the dc's play nicely. You may smirk a little.

Best: hanging about doing 'nothing much' with the kids, taking the kids to wherever you think will be fun/interesting that day, seeing people, pleasing yourself, making friends, slower pace, seeing firsts. I think it is hard to quantify the best things but it is just brilliant when it is a good day.

Worst: some people treat you as though you have half the intelligence you did previously, feeling apologetic for not 'contributing' economically (both to society and the home), coming bottom of the list as you have no absolute commitments, worrying about returning to work, some days utterly tedious or head-wreckingly frustrating. Coping with the awful days is hard and they come around quite often.

My top tip is don't go to any groups you don't enjoy, take them to the beach/art gallery/cafe/library instead. If you are having a good time, they'll be happy enough. They don't need to do groups all the time. Some of our best days have been when I've had to make something up in tears despair, if it had all been scheduled I would have missed the impetus to do that. Boredom precedes inspiration perhaps.

Honeydragon has it right!

My tip would be that if it's ok weather, go out for a portion of the day. Do anything, walk, park, meet friends, shop etc. Because then when the weathers rubbish a DVD/CD day doesn't feel so bad

Best thing: you get to watch This Morning and Loose Women and Jeremy Kyle!

I'm just kidding!

I guess the best thing is the freedom and being able to do the housework during the day instead of having to cram it into the evenings.

The worst thing is that it can get a bit lonely at times. It's good to find things to do.

This is making me wonder if I should have no.3 after all...

This is great - exactly what I need.

at Honeydragon - brilliant.

When dd was one I resigned. DS was 7. He has said repeatedly how happy he is I don't work now.

It is ds who has made me genuinely thrilled to be a sahm. He really doesn't miss the financial benefits, he is happy just have me

The best is when the sun is shining and you've packed up a picnic and are on your way out somewhere for the day, and you drive past loads of poor people dashing around in their work clothes off to sit in their offices.

I think one of the down sides is the lack of adult conversation, as I used to spend most of my day at work yakking away. I've become one of those strange people who will strike up a conversation with anyone.

I've always been like that anyway! I hope it doesn't get worse!

Worst bit? The boredom and never clocking off.

Best bit? Erm... having the flexibility to do voluntary work, a bit of freelancing, study, join the library and read actual books during the day! Oh and not having to do the commute. Lovely :)

My best tip is to make sure you have some time just for you at least once a week and make sure you honour that commitment.

When I was a SAHM I just enjoyed the fact I had time to cook proper meals for everyone most days, we always had clean clothes, and the house was kept in reasonable order. I hated working when they were little, dashing home to get a meal, and struggle to keep on top of washing and housework. Always felt so tired. Staying at home when they were little mean there was time to do lots of activities with them, and enjoy their company before they all too soon morphed into little adults.

The worst thing is when you realise just how many friendships are work dependent.... you drift apart...

The best - there are literally hundreds!! I like having a family life - no doing all the housework at the weekend together and getting too knackered to enjoy things... Housework, garden, everything gets done when I want and we have ...... get this...... FREE TIME together in the evenings and at weekends...

We have a garden pond ( I know -shop me to the H&S police!!) and seeing my girls watch in wonder as a dragonfly "unzipped" itself and spread its wings to dry in the sunshine was a tear-jerking moment....

There are sooooo many of that type of unmissable moments that I would have missed and not even known existed....

If you've finished teaching to be a SAHM there are no downsides!
Loving the mental freedom of not having to think about school all the time, the guilt of not doing everything well enough, the dread of the ring of Ofsted etc etc.
Enjoy!

Best - So many things! Time...for lots of experiences with the DC, for home cooked meals and a clean house, lots of activities, time to take things at your DC's pace, time to explore and follow their interests, even if they just want to watch a caterpillar crawl across the garden, and of course when DC or DH tells you how much they appreciate you being there. Much less family stress, iykwim.

Worst - There are no holidays and no breaks. If you have no child care at all like me, it can be hard when you're feeling ill, etc. And it is a big financial adjustment of course.

You will not regret it. So pleased for you! :)