not stay at home yet, but...

[runningdad]

...thinking long and hard about it. Currently have a high-stress, decent-pay job, but am approaching the end of 6wks of FMLA leave caring for my 11-month old. Mommy has a better-paying job with semi-flexible hours, we can live on her income alone, so we are contemplating me staying home altogether.

I was hooked on this site after googling SAHD stuff, and coming across a great post in the forum by tt3 about taking responsibility for our own kids' lives (it was in response to Sesame Street going "healthy" by changing cookie monster's song). Our daughter has been a daycare kid up until now, but we are putting an end to that (nanny for summer, after that, who knows?).

So if anyone has any advice about taking the plunge to SAHD status, lemme hear it.

[Don-Dad]

Yeah, if you can live of one salary, why not give it a try? You can always go back to the 9-5 if you do not like it. It's a hard job and so very rewarding.

[GoatBeard]

I love it.
At this point, my life has nothing to do with me anymore -- it is 100%about the baby, but I would have it no other way. I'm totally worn out, I mean totally, but I go to bed with a big smile on my face and wake up the same way. I wouldn't have it any other way. After all, who can better raise your child than you?

[mnsahd]

I was in the same boat as you prior to becoming a SAHD. I was scared to leave my job. I was scared that I would not know what to do as a SAHD. I was sacred of what others might think of me. I was scared that our family would not be financially OK. All of these things kept me awake for two nights. My wife was all for it. I was all for it. But would it work? I thought back to the time that I joined the armed forces (USCG), and these were the same feelings that I had then. I did join and it was one of the best jobs that I had ever had. I said to myself that if I could have made a choice like that once, I could do it again. I turned in my resignation and have not looked back. This, by far, has been the best job that I have ever had. It is tough sometimes, but with the help and support that I have received from my wife, everything is groovy. We can even live happily from just one income. As you can see by this forum, you are not alone in this decision.

Good luck!

[tt3]

hey tt... did you pay this guy? :lol:

dude... being a SAHD is the choice to make if one can "afford" it. Someone should hang with the "fruit". It's no picnic but has big payouts.

Nope! :lol:
Of my what 1200 posts, that was one of maybe 5 serious, long and somewhat pointed! Glad you found that one to read instead of some of the others, especially earlier in the history of this board... the two great thread derailers...
I was circumstantially shoved into the decision and was glad for the push. Raising your kids is a great career.