Well, that was fun while it lasted. By choice, I'll be back on the SAHM circuit on Monday. It sounds clichéd, but this really is the right thing for our family. Between childcare costs and taxes, I was taking home 8 cents on the dollar. Yes, you read that right.
I have mixed feelings about it. As I said last year, working full-time in a rigid job is a killer. Everything from going to school functions to cooking to doing laundry is a hassle. But the flip side is the intellectual flat-line that often accompanies spending 14 hours a day in the company of 3 children who all want your attention, right now. When I told my co-workers that I was leaving to return to the SAHM life, most expressed envy. As The Dad said, there is such romanticism about staying at home.
I have mixed feelings about it. As I said last year, working full-time in a rigid job is a killer. Everything from going to school functions to cooking to doing laundry is a hassle. But the flip side is the intellectual flat-line that often accompanies spending 14 hours a day in the company of 3 children who all want your attention, right now. When I told my co-workers that I was leaving to return to the SAHM life, most expressed envy. As The Dad said, there is such romanticism about staying at home.
A writer can write anywhere...so please write! I always thought a book titled "Mothering" ala Studs Terkel's Working is a book waiting to be written (or edited since it is oral history). Mothering in Chicago from the poor teen mom to the NPN mom with the $300.00 highlights and mothers in between. How are we the same? How are we different? How do we handle all the mothering issues we all face?
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