How hard was it for you to go from stay at home parent to working full-time?

I empathize with you - I'm a full-time working mom with 3 kids. When our first was born, both my husband and I were working full-time. I took maternity leave and returned to work, placing my child in the hands of a babysitter. I was working the same job when I was pregnant with our second child. However a mild car accident put our only vehicle out of commission and I lost that job before she was born. I stayed home with her for about a year and then my husband lost his job so I went back to work (I make more money in the long run doing what I do than he does at his type of jobs). With our 3rd child, I was working full-time at a job that I felt was going nowhere so about a year after he was born I took an extended leave of absence, and never went back. I found another, better job and am at that same job today. My husband stays home and watches the kids. It was best that way financially after our 3rd was born because babysitters for 3 kids costs more than we could afford. Someone would actually be working just to pay the babysitter. (You have to consider that fact very carefully. How much after the babysitter fee will you actually bring in. Is THAT amount worth the hassle of babysitter, leaving your child daily, and the stress of the workplace?). Personally both my husband and I are very glad that we were able to have him be the stay-at-home dad. Babysitters can be such a pain. We've gone through several in the past years. My first child had at least 3 when she was a baby. Babysitters move, raise prices, or you just find out things that you don't like. (One younger sitter had a new boyfriend move in with her. Another we discovered left the kid in the playpen for hours while she did other stuff.) We finally found one we liked and she watched our kids while we had 2. When the 3rd was on his way, even her reasonable prices were too much for us to justify both of us working. Thus, my husband stayed home. I had stints between jobs where I was the stay-at-home mom and it was nice to be with the kids like that. But I do enjoy the workplace and prefer to work rather than stay at home all day. It allows me to get away from the home life and gives me time to myself. I must say though, the first few weeks of starting a new job, you'll find yourself looking in the backseat - expecting the kids to be there. So, in short, you have to ask yourself lots of questions and then make a list of pros and cons. - How much will you bring home AFTER paying a babysitter? - Is that amount enough to cover what you need. Or is it enough to justify the touble of finding a babysitter? - Is the babysitter reliable? - Does the babysitter require paid vacations? or does she/he take long or many vacations where you'd have to find a substitute? - What is the babysitter's sick child policy? Can you bring a child if he has a cold? (some babysitters won't let you, especially if they watch other children) This can cause trouble when YOU have to go in to work, but the child doesn't have a place to go. - Will your workplace be flexible and understand the often spur of the moment needs of an employee with children? i.e. sick children, doctor's appointments, school appointments, etc. There's alot to weigh out. Think over it carefully. If it's monetarily necessary than you have to do what you have to do. But if it turns out that what you'd bring home really isn't much more than what you do now, I wouldn't trouble yourself. There's so much more headache when you have to get a babysitter.

I understand your situation completely! It was hard to go back to work after being home with her for nine months but I knew I had to do it. My husband changed his schedule around so that we work oppsites and he could take care of our daughter during the day and me in the evenings. I wish I could tell you it was easy but it wasn't and still isn't. Every morning I look into my daughters room and wish I could spend the day with her but I know that to give her things I have to work. Is there any thing else you could do? Where do you work now? Could you sell Avon or Mary Kay some thing like that would bring in just a little extra and allow you to make your own hours. If you currently work with women Avon is a HUGE seller as is Mary Kay but they can be a little pushy. (PM me for more info on that) There are soooo many direct sales jobs that you could do and they are great because you set your schedule. Look into them! Just a thought!!

As a preschool teacher, I've seen several parents going through the same situation. The cost of childcare alone is ridiculous and it ends up being better for many couples to have one parent stay at home. I understand completely about money being tight though also. My husband isn't getting to work much and it's really been hurting us. I feel like we're barely getting by most weeks. I personally think it would be better in the long run for you to stay home. Financially, like you said, afterschool care alone is an added expense. You may be able to qualify for a voucher though. It depends on your state and income and can take a long time to get. Would your part-time job have any extra work that you could do from home or something? That may help just getting a few more hours. If you know someone that could care for your son that would be great, but I know how it must feel to leave your son with someone new. Let me know if you want any price ideas for home care for your son. I used to keep kids from home and I'm actually getting ready to do that again pretty soon. I can let you know about fair prices. :)

I can understand about money being tight and only one parent working, i'm also going back to work except i'm opening an in home daycare so that I can still stay at home and make money at the same time, it's something i've always wanted to do and now that we have the room i'm able too.

Think about it first, maybe you don't have to go full time, just cut down some expenses. on my part i am working full time and i had been making some sacrifices and luckily my husband understands and making up for my time that i cannot give my kids. But i always try to make up for it like last time when my kid had a school program and she was in it and i was so busy at work i was not able to go but afterwards i treat her out.. It is tough but they do understand, i had to bring more income for the family

I can only imagine how difficult it would be once you start working and not be able to take care of your son that long like you used to. However, it's true about finances are tight. In my home, we try to save as much as we can. It's really hard.

Ok so I've been both a stay at home mom & Full timer! In my experience it's too difficult to work a full time job when you have a child . Really if you think about the expenses you have to pay for working is ridiculous (babysitter)If you can make it on your husbands income do the part time until school time this has worked so well for us hope I was help!