Sahm

A few things, but mostly what you just said. I would be working to afford to pay a child minder, when I may as well be the child minder. It's changed a little now my eldest qualifies for some free hours, he goes to preschool two days a week in term time, but I'm still a SAHM because I have a baby too. For me it's that, plus I am at my most miserable in a corporate setting. So I freelance. This means I'm not a full SAHM, but the mum part is the majority of my life. Frankly I wish I did bring in a second full time income to my home, our house needs a lot of work we can hardly afford, and we've not been on holiday in a really really long time, but I would rather struggle with those things and be around all the time for my littles

My partner earns more than enough for me to stay at home. However, I have also freelanced for years so like Toria, I'm not a full SAHM. My son is still going to nursery though in September because, although we attend toddler groups etc, I like the idea of him socialising regularly with kids his age. But even if we didn't earn what we do now, I'd still be a SAHM so I'm there for my boy

I had every intention of going back to work. But we managed to save a lot pre pregnancy and during my maternity, my work policy changed and offered more pay which was an unexpected bonus. And when we got down to the nitty gritty financials we realised that we could live on just my partners salary, albeit with not a lot of wiggle room. So rather than me going back full time and coming out with roughly £300/month after childcare to basically never see our daughter, we decided I would be a SAHM. Right now I’m not sure how long I’ll do it, at least til she’s 2 (currently 14 months). But by being at home I’ve shopped around and saved money on our bills/insurance etc, I can meal plan and bulk prep food effectively and cheaply and stretch our money a bit further :) I’m loving having this time, as I didn’t expect I’d be able to financially, and also we’re one and done, so I’ll never get this opportunity again.