Attached Mamas Working Outside the HomeDo you face the unique challenges of balancing your career with your children? Come on in and talk with other moms who find ways to make their situation work for the whole family.
Financial Responsibility: I work because I must - I earn more than 50% of our income. DH does not earn enough for our household and we already live simply.
Post Secondary Funding: We have four kids, with two in Highschool and two in public school. So the two in HS will be heading off to University or College in a couple of years or so.
Personal Responsibility: My two eldest are also from my first marriage and though my dh does not feel this way, I feel I am personally responsible for them, financially.
Personal Satisfaction: Also, it is important to me to be independent. I have a lot of education, love my job, and have worked hard to get to where I am. So yes, I also work for personal satisfaction.
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Jeni - wife to a great guy and mama to 3 at home plus one adult child who is expecting Feb -09!
Madison, Jeni, and Mickey in Temagami on the Dream Catcher Express
Is it purely because of financial need? For "extras?" Because you love what you do? For future security (retirement, investments, etc)?
Combination. I wanted to send my son to preschool twice a week. We make too much for headstart and not enough to cover private preschool so the job at night pays for that and extras. I also do enjoy it since its starting me out in the fitness industry.
Quote:
Do you consider what you do a career or just a job?
Being a circuit coach/fitness trainer at Curves is a job - thats all. But someday fitness will be my career and this will help on my resume. lol
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~Barb
Mama to Chelsey, turning 19, 8yo Zoey & 5yo Roman
I had kids later in life (30 was 1st) and had already finished my MS and all my professional licensing. So working PT keeps my resume up, my licenses up and paid for. Also pays for extras and a slim savings acct.
On the personal side, I love my full day of working in the office. That is about to change to either more days further away or less but from home. I'm not a WAHM type though. Can't get motivated, seem to need conference call ability, scanning, copying, etc.
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Natalie
mom to
DD #1: tiny terror (6/01) who's becoming a nice little girl
DD #2: peanut 3/04 who's becoming a toddler terror
Wife to Mick -13 yrs
Location: "the stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter."
Posts: 3,096
Financial need - I'm putting dh through school.
Personal satisfaction - I love to cook, so I like what I do.
It could possibly be a career, but I have to be realistic. In another life I could pursue a career as a pastry chef, in this one I will probably transition to working part-time in another year or so, so I will probably be at a low level for awhile. But, you never know.
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Dawn,
mama to Maxine Day(8/01) and brand new Ivan Wolfgang(6/08), partner to Jason.
I work because I wanted something extra to do and to bring in a little fun money. I now work almost full time to make extra money and to get adult interaction and a break from the kids. I love my job though and I enjoy it keeping me busy.
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much love
-Lindsey
mama to Skylar (7-12-01), Leah (10-29-04), Addison and Riley (born at 25w4d, 6-17-08)
Married to Ian since 4-28-04
My big guy, my princess, and my tough little twins
I also had my kids later in life (I was 6 weeks shy of 33 when I had my first). I'd completely finished school and was in a career that cost an enormous amount of time, sweat, and money and is something I LOVE. It is also something I intentionally chose because it is something that I can work my hours around my children's schedule, but I cannot step out of it completely for the 9 years or so from the time of the birth of my first child until my second child hits 1st grade. I cannot take 9 years off.
So, I'm currently mostly working to maintain a practice and a license and a skill set.
Secondly I'm working because it currently enables me to pay for my dd to attend a really great preschool part time
Then, I'm working because I love it.
Eventually, when both kids are in school and I can work up to 25 hours/week, I'll be able to make enough money for travel and fun family stuff, but right now it's just mostly to keep a practice going (I work 2 days right now).
I work because I like it. I like the work. I like the money. I like being something besides a mom.
I had my children young (20 when I had my first) and I worked **** hard to put myself through college with two young children. For many years I worked my schedule around my kids and made them my first priority. They are still my first priority but they are both in school now and I am really able to pursue my career goals now. I always knew that when they wanted to go back to school, I would want to work. I think it is just my nature.
Dh makes enough to support our family nicely but I enjoy contributing. I also like that we are able to afford some extras. I am happy to be contributing to my own retirement and building some savings (together). It makes me feel secure that if something happened to dh (God forbid) or we split (not likely) I could support myself and my children.
Anyway, there are a lot of reasons I work and I was just curious about your reasons.
I have always worked due to financial need mostly, but I can't say that if we were financially secure that I wouldn't work. I would still work, even if we were well off. I suppose then I could actually even CHOOSE a career, instead of pick jobs based on the pay/commute/flexibility.
I do think that without the financial need for me to work, I would be getting more education.
I don't hate my job, but I am not crazy about it either. Bartending is just a 'job' for now, education will be a 'career'. Speaking of which, I need to get back to writing up my resume. (I am so frustrated with it!)
i will be working because i am a single mom and i have to support the kids. i want them to have a financially stress-free childhood. i grew up very pooor and i don't want my kids to have that kind of stress.
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Goddess and God Bless, ¨LISA¨
single, going-back-to-school, formerly-breastfeeding, pagan mama to: emily-anne elizabeth (04/29/03)
& ava marie victoria (09/07/05)
Mostly for financial need but I do like to get out and interact with other adults. I really need that. I do wish that I had a different job that challenged me either in my current feild or something creative. It will come in time. RIght now I just need the paycheck to feed my kids.
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Michelle
Wife to one Mama to four.
I work fulltime for a hat company. Gotta pay those bills. I am lucky that my job lets me work at home. I just go to her house twice a week to pick up and drop off. I also melt glass as a business which I love doing.
I'm not working yet, but I'm actively pursuing employment. This is hard! I haven't worked in almost 3 years. My reason? I need to socialize more and I want extra money (especially with Christmas coming up). I don't have any small children to take care of. I had hoped to be pregnant by now, but since it isn't happening, I might as well try being productive out of the house!
I am the sole provider for my children and myself.
Can't get motivated, seem to need conference call ability, scanning, copying, etc.
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