Benefits of being a SAHP?

[Ilikepinacoladass]

What are your favourite things about being a SAHP? What are the benefits for the parent and child?

I am part time (3 days a week), and don't get me wrong I love spending with my son. But I'm starting to feel the impact on my career and financially. I feel like I'm falling behind my peers who are full time. And would be earning significantly more if full time, as well as the obvious reduced pay due to less hours I had to take a demotion when going from FT to PT. And the lack of opportunities to move to another organisation, due to lack of PT roles.

Could just do with some reminders of what benefits there are to being there to look after you're little one please :-)

When they are at school, they have to go whether you like it or not. I am enjoying spending time with mine during his toddler years. I won't get these days back again and as he gets older he'll want to go to clubs, play dates etc and I'll see less of him. I'm enjoying him now while I can.

I do have child another child Primary school and currently I am free to attend sports day, school shows, cake sales, coffee mornings etc. My school tends to give very short notice and DP struggles to get time off to attend when they tell you on Friday about something happening on Monday.

I can pick up from nursery and school straight away if they get sick and can look after them without having to find child care.

I get to spend all the holidays with them, I don't need to pay for breakfast club, after school club, holiday club etc.

I can get housework done during the week which means weekends are free to enjoy.

I do miss having money from working, I have to budget everything very carefully and rarely buy things for myself. And some people think I do nothing all day - hardly any SAHP's at DC school.

Thanks for replying, all good points and I hadn't thought about the being able to attend school events yet.

The lack of funds is starting to get to me, as is the lack of status from job etc. But I know it is worth it and do feel lucky to be able to spend the time with the little one, especially while he's still young

Mine are adults now (early to mid 20s).
Both of them have said to me how much they appreciate me being at home when they were small. I have worked PT since having my eldest but it was mornings only until my younger child was 11.
That makes it worthwhile for me personally.

My youngest starts school in September and for me I am loving these final months before school, getting to spend time with them. They are very funny at this age and I enjoy his company and outlook. We have also had so much sickness this last few months and my eldest said how great it was I was able to pick him up 10 minutes after he vomited in class, was a strange moment of feeling positive about not working as had, had a few comments. It’s been tough financially and will come to end this year but well worth it for me.

You don't miss any milestones, and when they're sick and have kept you up all night you can just lie on the sofa while they watch TV.
Think those are the main positives that I've encountered. Oh, and when starting school they get sick every 5 seconds and require time off school, so it helps that I don't have to sort that with an employer.

I have been a SAHM for 18 years so I am biased but this is my list:
Spending the baby/toddlers years with them - I did get breaks for some mornings/days at nursery.
I was the one that built the foundations for love and discipline. Not nursery or a nanny.
Doing fun activities with them.
Benefits - you are there for them full time.
The role of a mother really isn't valued in our society but I felt proud that I knew my work (and it is work) had value and that I was bringing out child up. Your DH has to support you and respect the work that you do. See you as an equal partner. I really believe this is essential.
Being able to choose how to structure our days. I wasn’t answering to anyone.
It’s not all roses. But I would do it again.

I know this isn’t what you’re asking, but I don’t think it’s either good or bad - it’s just good or bad for you. So if you’re starting to feel times up, it probably is. We none of us listen to our gut instinct enough.

Mine a fast growing up but I've worked pt flexible hours remotely since they were babies. Being able to go to school days out, sports day, Christmas plays and harvest festivals etc have always been a huge plus. Being the one at pick up time daily and no panic when the Covid crisis hit was also a huge benefit. I appreciate I'm fortunate to be able to fit in my hours (10-15hrs a week) around the kids being pt/remote has given me that flexibility. I did try in the beginning to go back full time but I was just run ragged!! The nursery drop off was hell and the commute unpredictable.. not to mention the relentless sickness at that age. I also love that I can pitch in for other friends when they need to work late and take home another child for dinner / play with minimal impact. Yes I'd love more money but climbing the corporate ladder lost its appeal once I had children and now I'm happy to take a step back and enjoy motherhood. Not for everyone I know.. but I personally love it.

I've done it for nearly 25 years now and I love it , before they all started school and were part time at nursery I really enjoyed doing activities with them , taking them to school , picking them up, being able to go on their school trips , helping out in their schools. On a Friday when they finish school everything is done around the house so we can have fun and chill time over the weekend. My favourite time is the school holidays and I always feel sad when they end. Also when they are in school I get to do things for myself. DH is really supportive and appreciates everything I do.

Thanks everyone, really nice to hear from people who value and appreciate staying at home with the little ones. I agree with a lot that has been mentioned, and think it's easy to start taking these things for granted. Love all the activities we get to do, and that life is not a hurried choas all the time! Think PT is right for me at the mo, is just hard when you see you're friends progressing career wise and you're stuck behind, and having no money all the time for the foreseeable future! I don't have a partner either so that doesn't help.

You are so lucky to be able to work PT, I had no choice but to give up my career. You really do have the best of both worlds !
They are little for such a short time, enjoy your time with them, and you can pick your career up later on.