SAHPs - what do you contribute to society?

[paddypants]

Other than raising your family of course.

If you aren't working out of the house and your children are past the tiny stage, do you do anything else like volunteering or involvement with school?

DC3 will start preschool in September and although I definitely don't want to revisit my former career I feel I need to add another dimension to my life for a number of reasons - because I am smart and able, because I want to meet people other than school mums, because I need to invigorate my life a bit.

I thought about starting my own business but frankly, we don't need the extra income and I don't want to spend the time and energy required for such a venture. I have no great hobbies that I want to get stuck into. I just want to do something a bit useful and interesting that works around being at home.

Has anyone found such an outlet?

I've become an expert at binge watching Netflix.

Well there is a lot to be said for that. Netflix too good.

I volunteer with Girlguiding.

Is it obligatory to contribute to society? I've never claimed any sort of benefits, so I don't feel the need to justify not working for money by spending my time doing good works like a Jane Austin heroine.

Brownie leader and food bank van driver
I work now too though

Another girlguiding volunteer here.

That said, I do actually help with Beavers.

Some ideas...

Foster rescued dogs or cats

Garden or allotments and produce food for family

Keep chickens

Volunteer to read at children's school

Start and run a book club/knitting club/similar

Park run or train for couch to 5k

Teach a skill such as a language or photography

Expand knowledge in something that has interested you for a while by training with specialist school or OU

Any of those appeal?

I buy things and therefore pay VAT.

I volunteered as a playgroup day leader, at school and as a Rainbow leader, but also spent a lot of time with my Grandmother. Nobody else that I knew committed to anything.

I spent lots of time pre DC earning and paying tax and am doing so again now. To be honest I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist about contributing to society for a few years.

No of course it's not obligatory. Just personally I feel I am being a bit lazy if I can't throw a few hours a week at something especially if I get something back from it. Maybe particularly relevant to me because I don't have a sport or other hobby to get involved in.

And actually my reasons are probably selfish in that I want to gain something for myself as much as be productive in some way

Thank you. Lots of good ideas there. Gardening and food growing in particular.

I guess I need to just get off my ass and sign up for something rather than worrying so much what that something is

I volunteer with a local charity and run a playgroup. Selfishly I wanted to keep some skills up to date in case I go back to work

School governorship has a lot to recommend it - it's interesting and of value to society, you get some useful training and meet a range of people.

Lovely wildlife hospital near me has all sorts of volunteer jobs. If you live rurally, you can help house/rehalibitate certain animals too, especially territorial ones who would get too stressed being in near proximity to others while they heal.

There was a small window once when I thought I was finally going to get some time to myself...then promptly got pg again. I was (and still hope to) going to be self employed (something design based) but one of the other things that got me interested was volunteering at an archaeological dig! If you search on google it'll give you a few links and some even pay.

I go to gym classes and am available for helping out in school trips with the school

DH is a SAHD. He works in a charity shop helping vulnerable adults with learning difficulties. He runs boys brigade - preparing sessions and leading them. He's on various rotas at church - computer / sound desk and making sure the music bits work. He works harder than I do even though he isn't paid.

I'm a governor at two schools and offer support to other governing bodies. It's pretty much a job. I just don't get paid.

Lots of charities need volunteers, as trustees on management board, if you have relevant experience. Or something like Homestart might be an idea - you'd get training before you support a family.
But in answer to your question, I have never really been a SAHM, except while on maternity leave. However I did work part-time,( 4 days) and once DC were at school, I volunteered on my day off. I do think that if you are in a position to, it's good to contribute. Apart from anything else, it sets a good example for DC.

There's so much voluntary work you could get involved with.

There's a website called (I think) do-it.org, you pop in your location and things you might be interested in and it brings up things nearby.

Cubs leader, volunteering at school and I learnt a new language

Ah yes was just going to suggest do it for volunteering. Really good :

do-it.org

Alternatively you could maybe retrain for an entirely different career?

Brest feeding network helper
They run free courses to train
Every hospital would snap you up!'or work on helping. I did 8-10h per week