Hi ladies!

Being a SAHM to any amount of children is not only work - hard work I know.....but

I was wondering how many of you are working in some capacity. Full time/ Part time / from home?
What arrangements do you have for looking after your children?
I know of a couple of you that work and your partners mind the children for you. Are there any other situations?
Did you pre-arrange to go back to work or was it something you felt you needed?
Curious ~ Haylie

Born 21st March 2005

hi there
i work part time - Monday to Thursday 12.30-9.30pm
On mondays - my Mother in law looks after the kids until 2pm when hubby gets home
Tuesday's - my mum looks after them till hubby finishes
Wed and thursday - they go to daycare and hubby picks them up
Fridays - they are also in daycare
Bec

I plan on going back next year when my two are 1 - basically in my chosen career (tax accountant) - even if I didn't want to go back to work, I'd have to - otherwise it will be near impossible to re-enter the workforce when they go to school etc. And the money will be good. I will work 2 days a week (probably tue, wed, or wed, thurs) and they'll have to go to daycare because we have no family nearby.

Julie
Mum to twins - Emma and Brandon - born Xmas Eve 04

Hi Girls

I am working full time - 8am-4pm Mon-Fri. I am a legal secretary. I was in the RAAF prior to having the boys but returned to this (i did it prior to RAAF) as it is easier and more family friendly.

What arrangements do you have for looking after your children? We have a nanny who looks after the boys at our house. She is great. The boys love her and we don't have to worry about getting them to and from daycare.

We had no choice financially, as the boys were a major surprise!! We are saving now in the hopes that when we have another baby (hopefully next year) i will be able to stay at home. I am also starting a law degree soon, so our plan is for me to do that when i am at home (somehow) and when the boys and our next bub go to school then i can start my real career as a solicitor. So that is the plan anyhow!!

Rach x


Rach (26), BJ (35) & Aidan & Keenan - 6 months




This message was edited by RachieD on Monday, 29 August 2005 @ 9:01 AM

Hi Haylie

I went back to work 18hrs/week when the girls were 15 months old. I work 2 days in the office and do ~ 2hrs at home. The girls are in day care one day and with grandma the other.

When I went on Mat Leave I left it open ended as to when/if I was coming back. I work for the govt and am allowed to take up to a year Mat Leave no questions asked and then after that its at my manager's discretion how much longer I am allowed to take. After a year she called to say one of the other girls was going on Mat Leave and did I want to come back? At that time I said no, but agreed to come back in 3 months time. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to but by the time it came around I was well and truly ready!

I am very lucky to work for an employer who is very understanding about being a working mum. Flexible hours, part time work, good sick/carer's leave provisions and the option to work from home for part of my hours.

Nicolie
DDs Paige & Hannah (23/09/03)

Hi

I work 4 days a week 8.30am to 5.00pm. I went back 3 days when the girls were 6 months old then increased to 4 days when they were 17 months.

We have a nanny looking after the girls. When I decided to go back to work they were only 6 months and daycare places are hard to find in this city for under 2 year olds. Also, the thought of getting two babies out of the house every morning, along with the problem of what to do when they're sick (which inevitably they are a lot in their first year at daycare) meant that a nanny seemed like the best option at the time. Our wonderful nanny has become such a member of our "team" now that, despite the extra cost, we have no plans to change things at the moment. The girls get to have a relaxed morning at home and to have their sleeps in their own cot as well as going to playgroups etc for social contact. And I get home to folded laundry and a vacuumed floor!!

I took a year's parental leave but decided to come back to work after 6 months for my sanity. I was not cut out to be a SAHM - I enjoy my job for the mental stimulation, social contact and the "time out". I'm a much happier person and better mother since I went back to paid work.


Maree

Eleanor 1/8/03
Harriet 1/8/03

Hi Haylie,

I have been a SAHM with my 17 month old Id twin girls and have only just started back at work. I am extremely lucky as I am able to work weekends as a casual call in physiotherapist, so my hubby looks after the girls for me. The penalty rates I receive for weekend work and the fact hubby looks after the girls makes it very worthwhile financially.

I did my first weekend last month and I stayed at my sister place, as where I work is about 1 hour away, so it was my first weekend away from my angels - very hard. I had been thinking about doing casual weekends for the last 2 months or so. And I must say I am glad to get back into my profession and see my old work collegues again and also have some me time away from the girls. Another plus side is they get some 2 on 1 time with Dad! I never thought I would go to work full time, so this works out well. I only do 1 full weekend a month.

Its a very hard decision to make and most of us don't have a choice. I found the week following is very tiring.

Hope this helps Haylie





Vette
Gabriella Eve 12/03/2004
Alexandra Chloe 12/03/2004

I wemt back to work 2 days a week when the Boys were 10 months old. I needed to go back for my sanity! I then upped it to 3 days the following year and now work 4 days and will be back to full time next year. I am a teacher and the school was quite good about it.

I was lucky enough to find a fantastic day care mum who willingly took on 10 month old twins and has been wonderful to them. They just love her! (I think she must have been slightly mad!). They now also go to preschool Mondays.



Jo, Mummy to Cameron and Joshua 21/06/01