October 23, 2006
Wanted: SAHM Helpful Hints
In the last few weeks I have been so stressed out and burned out by my job that I’m actually taking into consideration of becoming a stay-at-home-mom.
I don’t think Doug knows this yet, but if he’s reading, he does now.
I am trying my best to weight my options and to be informed about the benefits and the downside of staying home. I know that Dawson would most benefit from this because he would be with his loving Mumma all day. He wouldn’t have to go to daycare. He wouldn’t suffer the traumatic seperation anxiety every single morning. I would be able to maintain my household better than I do now, as a full time working mother.
The negative impact is the loss of income. We barely make it month to month now with two incomes, how can I even dare think of quitting my job?
I decided to search MSN Money for some answers and information and found this article. The writer MP Dunleavey, explains that when she was in college in the 80s, the idea of staying home with your kids was unpopular. This day and age, more mothers are staying home. I envy those women. I wonder if they have husbands who make enough money to pay the bills and afford the luxuries in life or if they are just that frugal when it comes to their finances.
How do they do it?
Doug and I have a mortgage, a car payment, loan payments, utilities, insurance, and of course debt. Lots of debt. Most of that debt is mine from my college years. And I hate admitting this because it always makes me feel guilty. Guilty for not being more responsible. Guilty for being selfish and wanting a child before we were financially stable. Guilty for spending too much money before I was pregnant. Guilty for being financially irresponsible. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
I’m busting my rear trying to climb out of this dark hole. It’s exhuasting. I pay my bills and debts with whatever income I have available and the money left over pays for groceries and diapers and my little webhosting service.
Reading this article made me think of ways to trim the expenses. I could get rid of internet service and quit blogging. I could cancel the cable because we spend too much time watching the Food Network anyway. I could force Dawson into potty training early to save $50 in diapers each month (yeah, THAT’s gonna happen).
I could take a second job and never see my family every again.
All you SATM’s out there, hit me with your strategies. Tell me what works, what doesn’t work. Tell me if you like staying home or if you prefer to work? I’m looking for all the advice I can get.
