Hiya, I'm new here but thought Iwould reply.  You are working so don't worry about what others say. 

I have 3 children and the youngest started school in September, I am a SAHM and I will be for the forseeable future.  I looked into going back to work and I can't afford it because by the time I have paid for childcare for the hours before and after school and for holidays I would end up earning nothing.  DH is happy for me to stay at home but it's mostly local women who keep asking me why I'm not working and putting the presure on for me to got back to work.

I did beat myself up about it for a while and feel very inadiquate because I am seen as lazy or not contributing but now I don't let it worry me.  I worked for 12 years before I had children and have no relatives willing  help with them so they only have me to be around when off sick or attend plays etc.  DH and I are happy the way things work for us so what others think doesn't matter.

Thanks!

I sell Usborne childrens books. It works really well, because there are no targets to meet, so I can do as much or as little as I like, and I make a fair bit now, so I'm happy! You also have the opportunity to build a team of people, which I've done, which makes it more sociable, and more profitable (you get paid for supporting anyone in your team).

There are lots of similar opportunities as well (I researched for ages!!) so theres plenty out there to choose from.

Let me know if you need any help, my research took forever, it may as well help you as well as me!!

May I ask what do you do?

Hi Emilymay, I'm looking for some data entry/typing jobs but don't know whether to trust them as there are alot of scams about.  You're really lucky to find a job that you can do at home.

Thanks for the support everyone, I feel much better about it now, and am going to stand up to them all and tell them to mind their own business! I know I've been really lucky to be at home all this time, and I don't plan to give it up now!

Bocboc - dont despair about working from home. Theres a lot out there that you can do. I spent a long time sifting through various opportunities (and scams!!) and it takes a while to find something that suits you and your family, but there are plenty of options.

emilymay, I undestand how you feel.  My husband and father in law has been pressuring me about going back to work; has been for the last ten years!  My dd3 will be starting nursery this September so I’ll be looking to find some work that I can do at home.  I know my father in law is pushing me to work not because of financial issues but because he’s retired and wants to look after the children full time.  Don’t think he’ll be too happy if I work from home.

It sound s like they may be jealous that have it sorted combining being a parent and working too. It sounds fantastic, I wish I could work from home !

My son started school in Sept and I work 2 full days a week and I enjoy my job - saying that its still hard work as I only get 8 days holiday a year and there is 14 weeks of school holidays to cover. I ve managed ok  this year as i'll be on maternity leave for the summer hols. If kids are off school ill bosses rarely fuly understand and you feel guilty for not going to work... also there are not many jobs that will let u work school hours eg 9.30-2.30 and if you did work a full day u end up having to pay a childminder to take your daughter to school and back which defeats the point !

Like the other lady said there is always something going on at school, plays,days out, learning workshops and fortunately I can go to most of these but I agree with you, you will never get this time back.

People will always judge decisions and its hard to let it go over your head sometimes, Im pleased you have the support of your dh. I quit a full time job as a  mortgage advisor to work as a cleaner as I never had any quality time with my son and I was so stressed all the time - that was 2 years ago and I ve never looked back and never been so happy.

I hope they get the message and give you a break, sounds like you re doing a great job x

Why they don't understand that you already have a job!! I think it is not their business, don't get estressed about it.  Next time they mention it just tell them that you already have a job and how lucky you are that you don't have to get the rush hour to get to an office and get upset with your boss.

hi

i have 3 children ages 22 19 and 5 years...with my oldest 2 i had to go out to work as me and there dad split up when the 19 year old was 4.... i have never had a penny maintenance from him (thats the csa for you )  so i had no option but to go out to work... i missed so much of there growing up, school plays.. school trips etc.....

i now have a 5 year old with my new husband she started school last september and  im constently getting digs from my sister in law about when i am going back to work. and quite honestly i have no intentions of going back not for a long while anyway .. one of the reasons i had aimee was because i missed out on so much with my first 2 so i wanted to experience all what i missed out on, and im loving being able to take her to school in the mornings, coming home and helping her do her homework... going to school assemblies etc (infact we have the annual school outing on friday which im going on to help supervise)... ok so money is a bit tight we dont go on expensive holidays abroad or have a brand spanking new car.... but aimee as got what she needs a mommy that is there for her... so my advice is if you can afford it and it is what you want then stay at home for as long as you want / can....its no body elses buisness but yours...

My family (not dh, but my parents, extended family etc) are all putting pressure on me to return to work. Ds is at school, and dd will start this year, so they think that being a SAHM is no longer necessary, or even acceptable.

I have actually being working from home all this time, and making a really good income doing so, and my family know that, so it isn't for financial reasons that they think I should go back, but just because they think its lazy of me to stay at home now, and because they think I should get out more (my work does actually take me out of the house most days, plus the dcs have playdates etc, so I'm not a hermit!)

I love my job and the freedom it gives me, and I want to carry on being at home for the holidays, when the kids are ill etc. so I dont think I'm being unreasonable about it, but they're all making me feel as though I'm doing something terrible and as though other parents will think I'm strange.

Any thoughts?