What were you working as before you became a SAHM and do you miss working?

[snowbear]

Hi mommies, I often get asked if i miss working so just thought I'd ask other SAHMs the same question!

So what were you working as before you became a stay at home mum and do you miss working?

[lisa_ng]

was working as an IT sales in superstore.

i do miss working there.
but i doubt i will consider going back now since i have my girl, long working hours definately a no no for me.

[sugarcookie]

I was doing branding and communications and YES, I miss working. In fact, I miss it very much. Even though I love my baby girl with all my heart, I can't help but miss working life.

And to be honest, I hate the title of "housewife" when I fill up forms (sounds harsh but it's true).

[snowbear]

Originally Posted by sugarcookie I was doing branding and communications and YES, I miss working. In fact, I miss it very much. Even though I love my baby girl with all my heart, I can't help but miss working life. And to be honest, I hate the title of "housewife" when I fill up forms (sounds harsh but it's true).

haha.. most forms today call us "homemaker" not "housewife" ... Somehow i think the former sounds better than the latter...

[CDL]

Sugarcookie - try using "homemaker" instead. I think it feels & sounds better. I miss the flexibility, earning capacity, independence, confidence I had while I was working. I also love spending time with my baby and am looking for ways that I can reclaim a little of what I miss.

[Domique]

Same Same. I do marketing and branding.

Same feelings and thoughts as you!

Originally Posted by sugarcookie I was doing branding and communications and YES, I miss working. In fact, I miss it very much. Even though I love my baby girl with all my heart, I can't help but miss working life. And to be honest, I hate the title of "housewife" when I fill up forms (sounds harsh but it's true).

[Lotus]

I was a retail leasing manager. That was almost 5 years ago and I really miss working, the interaction, the challenging work, the excitement of meeting deadlines, the money. But I dont't miss the travel and the long hours.

I sometimes get upset with my husband as although I willingly gave up work, I miss it and feel like I've sacrificed my degree and career, which I spent many years working to get into senior management. But then I also flip to the other side and am thankful that I have this opportunity to stay at home with our children because we both worked so hard.

I just wish it was easier for mothers to have a bit of both work and homelife - or is that very selfish and idealistic of me?

[sugarcookie]

Originally Posted by Lotus I sometimes get upset with my husband as although I willingly gave up work, I miss it and feel like I've sacrificed my degree and career, which I spent many years working to get into senior management. But then I also flip to the other side and am thankful that I have this opportunity to stay at home with our children because we both worked so hard. I just wish it was easier for mothers to have a bit of both work and homelife - or is that very selfish and idealistic of me?

Like you, I willingly gave up work but I can't help feeling resentful towards my husband sometimes even though it isn't his fault. I'm 27 this year and I stopped working at 25 when I got married; I only worked a few years after graduation.

Similarly, I feel like I sacrificed my degree and a potentially wonderful career. Can't help feeling envious of my friends who are working and financially independent.

Sometimes, I really regret the fact that I stopped work.

As for having a career + family, I think it's very tough. Ultimately, you have to prioritise and pick the one which is more important to you.

[sugarcookie]

Oh, and one thing about NOT working - the number of people you know decreases dramatically. After all, the opportunities for networking are a lot less. Do you SAHMs think so too?

And when people ask me "So what do you do?" and I say I'm a stay at home mum, somehow they seem to lose interest in me.

Do you SAHMs experience this?

[Domique]

Yes! Sometimes without the networking and contacts, i feel worthless like that.

Originally Posted by sugarcookie Oh, and one thing about NOT working - the number of people you know decreases dramatically. After all, the opportunities for networking are a lot less. Do you SAHMs think so too? And when people ask me "So what do you do?" and I say I'm a stay at home mum, somehow they seem to lose interest in me. Do you SAHMs experience this?

[snowbear]

Originally Posted by sugarcookie Oh, and one thing about NOT working - the number of people you know decreases dramatically. After all, the opportunities for networking are a lot less. Do you SAHMs think so too? And when people ask me "So what do you do?" and I say I'm a stay at home mum, somehow they seem to lose interest in me. Do you SAHMs experience this?

No. On the contrary, i think many think that SAHMs are noble and willing to sacrifice their career to look after their little ones. They may not know how difficult it is to take care of children but at least what's clear to them is the sacrifice we have made.

I find that it is common for SAHMs to have low self-worth. However, when i compare my worklife to looking after my dear daughter, i feel that looking after my dear daughter is more fulfilling. There are challenges in looking after your child, and some of these challenges are even harder than those you face at work if you really sit down and think about it. The deadlines and the adrenaline you have and experience at work may be missing at home but you have the smile and cute little chuckles of your little one (of coz there's crying too). So SAHMs, let's not fret over what we've lost at work by becoming SAHMs. Instead, we should be happy that we have a chance to watch our little ones grow. When people tell me that i've wasted my degree and scholarship, i'd always tell them that it'd be a greater waste to not be able to watch my daughter grow up. I can go back to work any time (though probably never climb as high), but once my daughter has grown up, i can never turn back the clock.

[Domique]

after reading what you posted made me feel better as a stay at home mum. At least for now... thanks snowbear.

Originally Posted by snowbear No. On the contrary, i think many think that SAHMs are noble and willing to sacrifice their career to look after their little ones. They may not know how difficult it is to take care of children but at least what's clear to them is the sacrifice we have made. I find that it is common for SAHMs to have low self-worth. However, when i compare my worklife to looking after my dear daughter, i feel that looking after my dear daughter is more fulfilling. There are challenges in looking after your child, and some of these challenges are even harder than those you face at work if you really sit down and think about it. The deadlines and the adrenaline you have and experience at work may be missing at home but you have the smile and cute little chuckles of your little one (of coz there's crying too). So SAHMs, let's not fret over what we've lost at work by becoming SAHMs. Instead, we should be happy that we have a chance to watch our little ones grow. When people tell me that i've wasted my degree and scholarship, i'd always tell them that it'd be a greater waste to not be able to watch my daughter grow up. I can go back to work any time (though probably never climb as high), but once my daughter has grown up, i can never turn back the clock.

[snowbear]

Originally Posted by Domique after reading what you posted made me feel better as a stay at home mum. At least for now... thanks snowbear.

No prob. I feel low in spirits now and then too but in general, being the first to see my dear daughter reach every milestone, hugging her and watching her go about on her own exploring the house make me feel that my sacrifice was well worth it. I'm sure you feel that way too.

[Ottermum]

I Miss My CPF!!!!

[lisa_ng]

Originally Posted by Ottermum I Miss My CPF!!!!

me too but i pretty much miss the income more.
can anyhow spend. now not working have thrift a bit.

[snowbear]

Originally Posted by lisa_ng me too but i pretty much miss the income more. can anyhow spend. now not working have thrift a bit.

Ya ... that's what i miss too about working.

[*cynn.89llaluby]

Originally Posted by sugarcookie Oh, and one thing about NOT working - the number of people you know decreases dramatically. After all, the opportunities for networking are a lot less. Do you SAHMs think so too? And when people ask me "So what do you do?" and I say I'm a stay at home mum, somehow they seem to lose interest in me. Do you SAHMs experience this?

yes yes yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[*cynn.89llaluby]

Originally Posted by snowbear No. On the contrary, i think many think that SAHMs are noble and willing to sacrifice their career to look after their little ones. They may not know how difficult it is to take care of children but at least what's clear to them is the sacrifice we have made. I find that it is common for SAHMs to have low self-worth. However, when i compare my worklife to looking after my dear daughter, i feel that looking after my dear daughter is more fulfilling. There are challenges in looking after your child, and some of these challenges are even harder than those you face at work if you really sit down and think about it. The deadlines and the adrenaline you have and experience at work may be missing at home but you have the smile and cute little chuckles of your little one (of coz there's crying too). So SAHMs, let's not fret over what we've lost at work by becoming SAHMs. Instead, we should be happy that we have a chance to watch our little ones grow. When people tell me that i've wasted my degree and scholarship, i'd always tell them that it'd be a greater waste to not be able to watch my daughter grow up. I can go back to work any time (though probably never climb as high), but once my daughter has grown up, i can never turn back the clock.

nice one!!
feel better...although i miss my cpf...

[Queenbabe]

I dont miss working but i miss having cpf too .. depend on husband damn sian .

[serenelm]

i used to work as HR/Training staff... i dont really miss working but i miss my financial independence when i cld buy anything i fancied w/o having to tink n tink n tink before i buy :P

as for having lesser friends, i tink it's true to a certain extent, esp when your kids are still young... somehow ex-colleagues/friends will sooner or later stop asking you out for gatherings when you've rejected them a few times (due to unable to find babysitters)... sigh...

[siongnelly]

i am in accounts and no, i dont miss my job... i enjoy not working

[mackin]

Before expecting, I was a preschool educator for 6 yrs. Hubby insisted me in stopping work when I was pregnant. I do miss working and of cos my $$. Everytime I wanted to buy something I like.....have to ask 'Do I need it or want it'.
On the other hand, if I go back to work, I would miss a lot in my son's growing up. Mixed feeling

[jazz_sofia]

i worked as a researcher in an american firm...and was just promosted...yes, i do miss working esp the pay cheque...but i could say that i am very fulfilled being a mom, taking care of my family...and, my hubby is very supportive esp on the financial part...

[ktansy]

I am a temporary stay at home mum. I was a teacher and what I missed most are the interaction with my colleagues and the intellectual stimulation I get at work.

Life at home with a very high-attention-demand 8mth old is another set of challenge. It's just the 2 of us for 10-11 hours most weekdays.

I think it's a great privilege to be a stay at home mum, especially when our husbands are supportive of us staying at home. One plus point of being a stay at home mum is that insurance agents & credit card promoters usually back off very quickly when I say I have no income.

My stay at home mum days will be ending very soon and I'l definitely be missing these days when I return to work at the end of June. Now honestly I cannot comprehend why i agreed to go back to work, albeit part-time, when what I had planned to tell my boss was that I wanted to extend my no-pay leave!! Argh!!

[nasha]

for myself, i was workin in the airport as a load control officer before i bcam a stay at home mum. Definately miss my friends and of course the pay at the end of the month!