How many years have you been a SAHM?

Betsy - posted on 05/26/2012

My son was born in 1991 and I have been at home since then. I am an older Mom and my parents became ill when my son was 15. I became caregiver to my Mom and Dad then and had to rush home for my son. My son is now 21 and both my Mom and Dad have passed away. I am now "out of work" so to speak. I wouldnt change anything although it was really hard a lot of the time. I spent more time with my parents and son than I would have otherwise done.I really feel lost now without "MUM". She just passed away 6 months ago. Now I have bad knees and cant work so I am stuck! Any ideas for me?

Bethany - posted on 05/26/2012

10 years and counting! Gave up a career as a teacher, but being a mom is the priority!

Heather - posted on 05/25/2012

I've been home for 7 1/2 years...my kids are 14, 10 and 4...and I really couldn't imagine being happier and crazier all at the same time! I home school the 14-year-old because he was falling through the cracks of our education system, plus I have a 10-year-old go-getter in school, and a 4-year-old who would choose a career as a princess :D

I have learned that the best way to run a home is to run it like a business...schedules, to-do lists, goals, and down time!

Brenda - posted on 05/24/2012

I have been a mom for almost 18 years. I have worked 4 of those years, the rest of the time has been spent being a stay at home mom. This last stretch started in April of 2010. I enjoy knowing that the house is clean, that my kids do not have to worry about someone being home if they need to be home sick, summer comes and they aren't alone, and that I can spend time with them without being so tired from working all day.

Cindy - posted on 05/22/2012

I have been a SAHM for thirty years and love every second. I am a huge support to my working friends who work full and part time. I bake extras of what I bake for their families.
I feel as mothers we all need to support each others limits and decisions.
Some mothers need to have outside work to stay sane while other mothers would go insane working outside the home. There is no "correct" answer at all. It's our own personal and individual level of what we feel comfortable with. Seeking contentment helps start each day - strong coffee helps too ♥

Sara - posted on 05/21/2012

I have been a SAHM since I got pregnant. I'm so proud of myself for making that decision and taking care of my son which is almost 17 month old. but I love to start my phd when he is 2.5 years old.

Leekeisha - posted on 05/20/2012

Dec 2012 will be 4 years for me. I am grateful to have a wonderful husband who prides himself on providing for his family. Biologically my oldest is not his, but you can't tell him that. I gave him his first child which is my 3 yr old and when he was born my husband said he never felt this much pressure n his life to take care someone. He suggested that I stay home because no one will care for your kids the way the parents will. Because of past childhood Experiences he trust no one with our kids and he promised to take care of us, and might I add he is doing a awesome job. I love my job and wouldn't change it for the world.

Crystal - posted on 05/18/2012

I've been a SAHM for almost 7 years. I have enjoyed watching my kids grow, and learn what I have taught them (not a stranger!)... I enjoy all the time that I have with them, snuggling with them, playing, and learning about them too. I have learned what works in discipline and how to get them to listen better because I have so much time with them to figure out what works and what doesn't. I cherish my time with them, and even though I do have so much time with them, I dont' take it for granted and I "live in the moment" with them. They're only this little once! Enjoy it.

Alicia - posted on 05/15/2012

For about 7 years now. I love it. It is something that I never thought that I would be able to do but I am so glad that I did.

MrsBuzz - posted on 05/11/2012

I have been a SAHM for 15 years now and I love it, most days. I have learned organization and time management more than I think any other job can teach you!!! Especially with 2 teenage daughters in soccer and 7 year old boy in baseball. Try getting to practices and games for all 3 when Daddy is out of town! =)

Eva - posted on 05/07/2012

I've been a stay at home mom full time for 23 years now. I did go back to school in my early 20's when my oldest was little. But once I got my grade 12 I started staying at home full time. My oldest is now 25 and my youngest is 18. I did try going back to work 5 years ago but kept being told by employers I had been out of work to long and would have to go back to school because their have been to many changes in the work force.
I have suffered through bouts of depression from the isolation I feel because we live in the country and everyone around me works. The internet has been a life saver. It gave me a means of communicating with others. I've learned a lot of patience, and that I am a strong woman. I've dealt with a husband that used to think I didn't have a real job, and I've dealt with others that have made comments about the fact that I spend my husbands money since he's the only one that really works. It's made me a stronger person.
I found that being their for my children when they got up in the morning, or came home from school, or a friends and knew someone was gonna be their for them was something that you can't describe. The feeling of knowing your their and them knowing you would be their was amazing.
So many of my kids friends didn't have a parent home when they got home or they went to a babysitters because their parents worked and they would come over and tell me how much they envied my boys, because I was here for them. I may have given birth to only 2 boys, but I ended up with a lot more children calling me mom then just the 2 boys. Their friends enjoyed to come here because they knew someone was here for them.
I wouldn't trade the special time I had with my boys for anything.

Wendi - posted on 05/07/2012

I've been a sahm for almost 2 years. My daughter is 21mths old. I also have a 2 month old. I love that i can raise them how i want, not being watched after by someone else. i love that i can see them grow and their milestones . It feels good knowing im always be there for them . My mom was a single mom alot of my life so i would see her taking off work when i was young to take of me when i was sick so i always knew that when i had kids i wouldnt have to worry about that. I would be able to do things with them because i wouldnt be so tired from work. MY mom made dinner and helped me with my homework .

Haley - posted on 05/06/2012

I had a job waiting for me when I went on maternity leave but as soon as my daughter was born, back in 2000, I knew I couldn't go back and I never did. Since then I have given birth to 2 sons. So 12 years it has been and no regrets. I cant put them in daycare. Never could.

Krista - posted on 05/06/2012

4 years...but I do work prn nights as a nurse a couple times a month while my family sleeps. It works out as I get extra money without missing a waking moment....2007. The only thing I would have changed was to stay home sooner!

Laura - posted on 05/04/2012

I have been a SAHM for over 26 years. I remember calling my mom and telling her how bored I was at times. She would tell me, "how can you be bored there is always laundry, cleaning or cooking to do!" It was difficult in many ways, but I finally learned to take pride in the things that I did at home and that has now had its rewards far beyond working outside of our home. Our children now aged 26, 24, 22, 19 & 13 are the jewels in my crown. The time has flown by (yes, even the horrible times of teenagers) and I wouldn't trade staying home with our children for all the tea in China! Family is family and when I leave this sweet earth someday, my children will be next to me holding my hand because they love me like no others can, and I them!

Rachel - posted on 04/26/2012

Going on 15 years on and off.. The few things that stand out the most for me in learning is being a mother is the hardest job ever, not any of my children are alike, none of my pregnancies have ever been the same and men will never understand.

Kate - posted on 04/25/2012

I have been a SAHM since March 2009.....my oldest was born Aug 2008 but for my second and third child I was home.....my 2nd was July 2009 & my youngest was Sept 2011......I love it, hope I don't need to work cuz I couldn't leave them........there are times when I want to scream but I also think its where we live (2 bed apt) I can't wait for a house and I think we will have more room to roam around....(hubby works nights so I gotta keep them quiet during the day)

Jessica - posted on 04/24/2012

I have been a sahm for a very short while. I have only been at home since December and technically it's on mat leave but the secret is I am not returning to work after mat leave is over.



I have learned that I missed out too much of the growing faze with my first baby; who now is 5 years old and get ready to start school in Sept. I didn't have much opportunity to be on mat leave with my daughter so 4 months was all. Now with my son the youngest and my second baby I am enjoying every moment home.



My daughter and I are closer now and I get to help her learn just in time for school and I get to see the small growing my son does like his first laugh (my daughter laughed for the first time in daycare).



A challenge for me is just getting enough sleep lately, my son is teething (he's 4 months old) and it's so tuff on him. Otherwise it's getting into a routine for all of the things I want to accomplish plus remembering that I need to take time for me and take time to do play dates for the kids and adult time with my friends.

Jasmine - posted on 04/23/2012

I left my job and became a SAHM this past december when I was 8 and a half months pregnant with our second child :)

Lori - posted on 04/23/2012

I've been a SAHM for 2.5 yrs. I loved that I able to be home with second child because I didn't get to do it with my first child. I got to see everything i kind of missed with my first because I had to return to work when she 3months. I loved being home.

Tasha - posted on 04/23/2012

6 yrs this Aug. I quit my job right after we got married knowing we wanted a family someday (Job was stressful and was going to find one less stressful) but found out 6 weeks after we got married I was pregnant lol

PR - posted on 04/22/2012

This year is nine years...didn't even realize it has been that long until I just thought about it. It was REALLY hard at first. Sometimes it still is. However, I just keep thinking that my value as a human being is not defined by what my job title is or how much money I make. It is defined by how I live my life, the choices I make, the convictions I hold true to. All of these things reflect on my children. This is how I choose to see my role as SAHM - not as June Cleaver but as a woman trying to do right by my support system.

Kim - posted on 04/21/2012

I didn't go back to work at a school I worked at after the summer. I was 6 months pregnant and we were moving. So in June it will be 13 years since I left my job. While it does get lonely, I miss my work friends, I do like to be home for the kids. I loved seeing all their firsts. Being able to take them for walks, let them play out in our yard, visiting family. I felt bad when they went to school and it limited our time together. My last child will be going to Kindergarten next year full time and I really don't want to let her go full time, but its what is best for her. Her PreK teachers and Speech therapist agree with me. I'm going to miss taking her to Storytime, or out for lunch or the Zoo. All we'll have are weekends when my husband doesn't want to go do anything :( I won't know what to do with myself, well I do hope that I will be able to get this house cleaned up. After moving a bunch of my Mom's and Grandmother's stuff into the house, helping my stepfather clean out his house, then having the busiest year in decades, my house has gotten soooo cluttered. I figure I will wait a few years before going back to work so I can go to my youngest's school plays, field trips and things. I would probably work at a Preschool so I could be home early for the kids. They are so busy afterschool with activities, homework and everything.

Kelly - posted on 04/21/2012

I am a stay at home mom/ full time student. I have only been a stay home mom for 1 year but I love it and plan on doing it till I get my degree. Then I will work part-time. I haved learned that it is harder than it looks mainly Bc you don't have a boss to tell u what to do or keep u motivated. It very hard for me to keep myself motivated so I had to learn how to self discipline myself to work out, use my time wisely and clean, clean, clean!

Janice - posted on 04/17/2012

It is crazy that I should put in an answer for you. I am a Grandmother who was a SAHM for twenty-six years. I loved every minute of being my own scheduler. I was able to do so many creative things. I was able to reach out to others, because I wasn't on someone elses time line. I found that I could keep my home and plan our meals and activities so the children (three boys, one girl) could do things together with me. It was such a joy. As they got older we home-schooled for 5 years. Our children and grandchildren still spend a lot of time with us and we love to be part of their lives. What more could a person want than to have their best friends their own children. I thank the Lord for a wonderful life.

Jodi - posted on 04/16/2012

I've been a SAHM for 3 and a half years now. I have a 3 year old and twin 1 year olds, all girls. I LOVE my job. I wouldn't trade seeing all their firsts for anything. I wouldn't trade kissing every booboo, drying all the tears, snuggling on the couch for all the money in the world. Planning on homeschooling, so I'm hoping my career as a SAHM will be a long one!

Cassie - posted on 04/15/2012

I have been for 5 years with now 4 kids and plan to for as long as I can. We are homeschooling so it will be a long time til I am not if ever. I love spending time with them and not missing a thing in their lives. I also love that I am the only person that is raising my kids and putting our values into them.

Laura - posted on 04/13/2012

Sahm for 2 1/2 years, then worked for a year, with my mom grandparenting her still only grandkids lovingly. Then we moved from Ohio to Utah, over 1700 miles. I've been a sahm since then, late 2006.



My mom hasn't had a paying job since just before I was born. I wanted to do the same. I am thankful my hubby provides more than my dad did (he tried) . My mom saved pennies, but spoiled us with love. I try do 1/2 as much with my kids. My mom was/is close to perfect. I know no one is, she's just close. :)

Helen - posted on 04/12/2012

iv been a sahm for 6 years in a few weeks, i have loved every min of it all the firsts all the giggles the teaching and learning i was filled with pride last summer when i tought my boy to ride his bike without stabalisers, i love reading books with him and watching him get better and better with reading and writing he makes me these lovely cards it dose not matter if there is an occasion or not he will write a card wot i think is real sweet, every moment has been wonderful :)

Blair - posted on 04/12/2012

I have been a stay at home mom for a little over four years if you include being pregnant lol! I enjoy being able to be home for my kids and do everything for them. Not to mention it's great getting to be there for their first roll, laugh, words, crawl, walk, etc.. :)

VICKIE - posted on 04/12/2012

5 years. I'm grateful but look forward to my children being in school full time. I have 3 kids and 1 year and 6 months more before my 3 year old is full time. I love being able to be active at their schools and be there for them at all times. I miss having time to myself and people to talk to and hang out with. Once I quit my job a lot of people stop talking to me. It's just me, my kids, and my husband that lives in this city we relocated to 10 years ago. I miss having somewhere to go now that my kids are in school half a day for my 3 year old and all day for my 5 and 14 year old. I volunteer a lot to stay busy but I rarely have time for myself. It's a Blessing and I wouldn't change it for anything. It isn't always easy and I do miss that extra income but my children come first and I'm glad we decided for me to stay with the kids. I did the same for my oldest but it was different because I had family and a lot of help because we hadn't relocated until he was in school full time. That's when I went to work. I have a Finance degree and worked for the school system so I could get off when he got out if school. Enjoy being able to be at home. I know I do. My children are so smart, and well mannered. Very loving and they know how to get alone with others. They had no problems adjusting to school due to the fact that they never went to day care. They know a lot for their age too.

Cheryl - posted on 04/12/2012

I have been a SAHM for 24 years. I decided to stay home after the birth of my 1st child and never looked back. I also run a homedaycare out of my home to help contribute to our family financially and absolutely love it. My children are almost all grown now with my youngest child being 17 but I still plan to continue doing childcare. I truly love my job and can't think of any other job that would be this much fun or bring me this much joy. I love being home for my children when they were young knowing that they liked coming home to a mom who was waiting once they were in school. I never had to worry about when they were sick and needed to stay home because I was always here. I have a BS degree but never felt it was wasted as I spend my time teaching the little ones in my care. I wouldn't change a thing.

Momof2 - posted on 04/11/2012

I've been a stay at home mom for 3 years. my son just turned 3 almost 2 weeks ago and my due date for my 2nd son is June 15th. i love being a stay at home mom and have no intention of going back to work. before i had my son i was working part time at a call center. (it was actually a really good job, part time with really good pay and full benefits. plus it wasn't too stressful like a lot of call center jobs tend to be) i wasn't ready to go back to work at the end of the year and even though the pay was good part time hours would have only paid for daycare and i would rather take care of my son than work just to have someone else care for him. since there will be 2 of them soon i really don't see the point in ever going back to work. dh has a really good paying job with full benefits and quarterly bonuses. while money is still tight we are slowly paying down his debt (student loans and some credit cards he was living off of in college. i was lucky enough to have an resp so i didn't have any student loans and i lived at home while going to college so i was lucky not to have any debt myself).



being a stay at home mom mixed with both my husbands and my life experiences i learned to compromise with my husband about what is best for our kid(s). I grew up having almost everything i wanted and had benefits dh never did. i wanted to give everything to my kids while dh wanted them to work for things themselves and have them appreciate things more. for example: it was important to me to have a student fund for my son (and we will set one up for our other son once hes born too). my husband wanted to make them invest in their own futures. so we compromised that we would put 25$ a month into an resp for our son. and we decided that if they want to live at home while they go to college/university that is fine but they cant live with us rent free after they finish school. this way they will have a huge benefit to minimize their student loans however they will most likely end up having to still get some student loans which will help them establish credit while not having to drown in debt for several years. and they will hopefully work/study harder since they will have to pay for some of it themselves too.

I also learned that i could still help out with our financial situation and be a stay at home mom. yes that's right I'm one of those couponers (although i live in Canada and couponing here is a bit different that couponing in the us.) i learned how to eat well while still saving money and buying the fresh foods instead of processed foods. we watch flyers and plan our weekly menus based on whats on sale and combine coupons with sales whenever possible. we actually eat a lot of fresh hamburger, chicken, roasts, ham... as well as a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. and it ends up being cheaper than buying the processed/junk foods a lot of people end up eating to save money. (although it helps a lot that dh does the cooking as i don't think i would have the patience to cook like that everyday myself lol).



I love watching my son grow up and knowing I'm the one that's there for all the firsts as well as being the one to comfort him when he gets hurt or frustrated that he isn't able to do something himself yet. I love that my son is a caring compassionate person and that he is a really happy little boy. he loves spending time with daddy too and helping daddy run errands or having playtime with daddy too. (i dont want it to sound like i do all the work since my husband is very involved with our son too. he gives all the baths and will change diapers and feed our son when he is home after work and on weekends).



while i love being a stay at home mom and wouldn't change it for the there are some women out there who have to work to help out financially or who have to go out to work to socialize with adults. there is nothing wrong with being a working mom and any mother that does have to work should never feel guilty about it. (i only added this because while in my opinion being a stay at home mom is the best job in the world it really isn't for everyone)

Sandy - posted on 04/11/2012

I've been a SAHM for four years and five months so far. I like it, but do enjoy the few hours I get to do things on my own or have my husband around. I also do work from home via the internet with a couple meetings each month, and volunteer in community theatre, so get to have time for myself also. Otherwise, I'd probably have to be medicated.

Janetta - posted on 04/11/2012

I have been a SAHM for 29 years. My 28 year old is grown and gone. The 22 year olds are still at home. The girl twin has a 4 year old who is at home with us too.



I'm glad I was here. I wish my 2 daughters could have the same life I had. I know they wish they could too.

Tanja - posted on 04/11/2012

I've been a SAHM for almost 17 years now (in July). I quit my job and moved to a new state with my husband a few months after finding out I was pregnant. I now have two teenagers, home-schooled both through 8th grade, now my son is a Sophomore and my daughter starts her Freshman year in the Fall.

Sherri - posted on 04/11/2012

I have been a sahm for 12 yrs. I have loved every minute of it.

Chelly - posted on 04/11/2012

I've been a SAHM since our 1st was born and she's just over 3 years old. I still help a little with my husband's business but it's occasional and because I want to help our family's business. As far as what have I learned? Big question! I learn knew things about life through her eyes so often. We will be homeschooling and I'm looking forward to learning latin and history in a fun way!

Leah - posted on 04/11/2012

I've been a stay at home mom for 5 years and am very grateful for having a husband who will support my daughter and I and allow me to stay home with her. He actually prefers me to stay home, and says that she is the most important job I could ever have. I totally agree! :)

Nicole - posted on 04/11/2012

I retired from my career in 1999 and left the job force entirely in 2001 when our first child was born. I never felt the fulfillment in my career that I feel as a SAHM! My success was empty and shallow when I was a career-woman, but now, I am so full and complete! I see success every day in my children, the little victories and the big ones! I too never thought I could be described with the word "patience" ever...now even I am surprised by the level of patience, love, respect and all that I have held dear to me, at practice in my life every day! I am so very grateful for the "job" the Lord has provided me, one I could never have studied for, but was given by His trust in me with the greatest of this world, His children. Thank You Lord, for the opportunity to be a SAHM! I am priviliged! :-)

Bonnie - posted on 04/11/2012

I have been a SAHM for 5.5 years. I have enjoyed working at my own pace and being there for my kids all the time. I have realized how much more I can actually get done working at my own pace. My time management skills have improved. I have learned that my family needs me and that I wouldn't have time to do all I do if I was working.

Nikkole - posted on 04/10/2012

I have been a stay at home mom for 4yrs now i will be 24 in May :)

Stifler's - posted on 04/10/2012

I'm 24 this year and haven't worked since I was 20 nearly 21.

Chelsey - posted on 04/10/2012

I've been a SAHM for 5 years now and i wouldn't change a thing. Being with my children has taught me that I have more patience than I thought lol.

Chrystal - posted on 04/10/2012

I stopped working when I married just as I was finishing my degree so I've been home over 5 years but actual stay at home mom coming up on 2 years in a few months. I've learned many things the best I'd say was that I really am a strong women. I never got that in the work force only from being at home with my kids did I gain a true confidence in my abilities. I enjoy getting to be with my kids from the moment they wake up till the moment they go to bed I miss nothing.

Michelle - posted on 04/10/2012

When I had my boys I had to go back to work and then I was a single Mum for 5 years. Working full time and looking after 2 kids was hard work. When I remarried and had my daughter my husband didn't want me to work full time. I have been a SAHM for 2.5 years now and am loving it. I do a lot of volunteer work at my boys school. I do work part time (Wed & Sat for only 4 hours each day) but that's mainly to have some me time.



I guess being older this time round has helped me appreciate being at home to raise the kids.

Nelly - posted on 04/10/2012

I have been a SAHM for 17 years I was working in a daycare centre and when I got pregnant with my first child there was no way that i was going to go back to work.