The kids school psychologist asked if I’m going to get a job when my kids start to school in September. Let’s talk about it.

I think there is this idea given to women that when our kids go to school we can now just re enter the work force (if we left) and it’s all good because no need for child care now. My answer is no. Will they go to school Monday to Friday 9-3? They are meant to but they might start them off rotating days and one of them might be home one day a week. It’s not clear yet. Say they go Monday to Friday 9-3, everyday that school is open. There are school holidays, summer vacation, sick days from school and days where they need to leave early for appointments. What kind of job accommodates all that? Not many. Plus I’ve been out of the work force and I’m not 17 so the jobs available to me will not be very good. I can re enter the work force but I think the idea is oversimplified especially by men who never took time off to be with their kids. I will still be working when they are at school. Booking appointments, cleaning house, preparing meals, grocery shopping, etc.
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I think your point, it’s oversimplified to re enter the work force, is so so true. Men especially but it’s women who haven’t taken time off as well. A lot has changed (in the fields i have experience in at least) in the 5 years I’ve not worked. If I re enter I will be starting at the very bottom, even if I go back to the company I left.

Very good points. And I think those whose partners work more than 40 hours a week also have another very “valid” reason to not enter back into the work force. I won’t be going back to work once my youngest is in school full time. I’ve already been getting side eyes about it.

Girl I feel this one deep. I’m so fortunate my job is flexible and I can make my own schedule, but I STILL struggle during holiday week-long breaks and stuff. Jobs don’t consider how much time parenting takes, even when the kids are in school.

I agree with you, some people do try to over simplify being a SAHM especially once the children become school aged. My husband God bless him but he still questions what I do all day from time to time even by making statements like they’re way more self sufficient now what all are you having to do for them (mind you they’re 3&6) like oh yeah they can turn on the tv and put their own clothes on so no need for mommy anymore 😒 It’s so frustrating because there’s sooo much planning, organizing the constant cleaning, cooking, keeping inventory of , sibling mediating to do. All the behind the scenes stuff that gets unnoticed.

Waiting till they start elementary va pre school, kindergarten ect. I already know the reactions I’ll get but like u said makes no sense. Re entering the work force does scare me but I’ve been looking for a remote position so I can still have a little bit of a foot in the door. But it’s definitely hard being out of the force for so long- my fear is I won’t wana go back 😬

@DeJah see that’s me right now, I just don’t have the desire to go back and there’s so much raising we still have to do. There’s nothing more important to me than my children. My husband is urgently suggesting I put the kids in school to get a break, I barely have any help but I absolutely have no desire to do that either

I give full time working moms so much credit. I work minimal hours but I’m self employed. It’s still exhausting That being said, I have friends that love their job and feel like it’s their escape to go to work. So I think part of it is how much satisfaction you get from your career as how much you are earning

@Vada I think he asked so they would know how much participation in my kids treatment there would be, this is a special kind of school that includes behavioural therapy. Plus that would mean change at home and affect the kids at school too. It just got me thinking about how not simple the idea of going back to work is.

I completely agree with you I would absolutely love to not have to go to work and spend time prioritising what’s actually important ! when my little boy is a year old I unfortunately have to return to work in order to the pay bills 😩 x

@Shanna oh wow! Mine is the complete opposite he wants me to stay home with them until our youngest is 6. I'm torn between loving staying home with the kids but also being nervous about rentering the workforce 😭

@Vada yes. He's super supportive of me going to school. I intend on going back (getting a certificate ) once they start preschool. I was in school when both my daughter and son were born actually getting my bachelors 😭 but Ik having a degree doesn't always mean you'll be valuable in the workplace 🤦🏾‍♀️ tons of people struggling to finds jobs now that we all graduated I think that's my real concern too. If people with no kids can't get hired fresh of a degree idk what to expect 😭

I work full time and so does hubby. This is only possible because 1. I WFH so I can do school pick up and drop off 2. The school is 3 minutes away 3. I'm allowed to WFH with sick kids home, otherwise I'd be taking unpaid sick leave all the damn time 4. My husband is a teacher so automatically gets school holidays off. I wouldn't have enough annual leave to cover those But yes I fully feel like I could be a house wife and I'd still spend all my time doing housework. The house work is neverrrrrr endingggggg.

You can drive a school bus , there is a massive national shortage of school bus drivers. It will give you extra money, let you be with your kids and they will train you and walk you through the tests! I understand your point completely, I'm just offering a solution if a job is needed. Sahm is a really big job title with little compensation and massive responsibility so I commend every one who does it. But there are alternatives out there you just have to think outside the box

@Chrissy I don’t have a learners

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