And I used to be...

amy wrote: It was the right decision at the time for me to return. (still is for now)

That's all that matters!

amy wrote: Maybe I was being a bit blunt in my message, sometimes I am not sure wether to jump in and be a part of discussions or just leave it.

Jump on in! All points of view are always appreciated.

Ok so that is something I find quite often is having to justify why I am not a SAHM.

Thanks ladies, that is why I love this website. I value opinions but it is nice to have people want to listen to your own as well. (makes for a nice change )

Amy you shouldn't have to justify why you are a working mum just as I don't have to justify why I'm a SAHM (well a WAHM really but same thing in the end).

It really does bug me how both sides are expected to justify themselves....working mums are knocked down for going back to work and "leaving" thier kids and SAHM's are knocked down for "not working". You can't win can you??

The important thing is doing what is right for your family and being happy and secure in what you are doing which is why I don't feel the need to justify myself.

oh gosh yes!!!!!!!! and i often think "why do i even have to tell you what i did before hand!!??" it sounds good on paper so to speak but its nothing compared to being a SAHM!!. 99% of people that ask me have a very blank stare and long pause before they say "oh ok so when are you going back?" GGGRRRR apart from the fact that im not going back to that anyway cos im bored with it so im changing profession! ...i still feel i need to tell them what i did so they dont look down on me as has happened so far

Ah, yes.. now that Ella is going to creche three mornings a week (she would be going to kindy next month but I might just keep her at creche for a while.. mornings are much better for her than afternoons). She loves going there and I like her to have the interaction with other kids her own age.

So when people ask how often she's in creche, and I tell them.. they immediately ask "so are you working now" or "what do you when she's there?" (usually with a smirk on their face).

I am looking out for part time work, and I also sew a lot.. with the intention of selling some of my things when I've built up a supply.
It takes most of the time she's there to clean the house, do all the chores I need to, get shopping done (grocery shopping) and then a bit of sewing if there's time!!

But why do I continue to jusify myself?? It's usually to people without kids.. but even ppl with kids ask! I'm getting really sick of it.. I also continously get asked when I'm having another child, and that I must have it easy just having the one

No matter what you do/don't do, people are always going to fault you for something..

Edited by meow

amy wrote: Ok so that is something I find quite often is having to justify why I am not a SAHM. )

I'm with you. I HATE having to justify why I CHOOSE to work. To be totally honest, I have got no intention of being a SAHM when my maternity leave finishes (although DH has other ideas..) I absolutely love my kids, there is no 2 ways about that, BUT I really relish being someone who does things other than child based things as well. It is for my sanity more than anything. I think a big hats off and pat on the back to those who choose to be SAHM, as it is something I am almost embarrassed to say I don't think I would ever be able to do (and remain sane)..

I never did anything before baby I went school polytech baby and sometimes I feel like people think i must be really dumb or something but I stayed at school to 7th form and got a b bursary so i can't be too stupid.

I have plans and want to go back to polytech but not until I decide. I have never been happier than I am now and sometimes I just want to tell the world how great my life is But i know all my old friends think my life must be so boring and they invite me out sometimes as a pity invitation and i know most of them are pretty unhappy with their lives.