I quit my job 5 or 6 years ago when my son started school. My husband makes a moderate income, nothing extravegant by any means. He works a lot of overtime for us to be able to have extras and we have learned to live with less. I know in some ways his life is more stressed because he is the sole income provider, but in other ways, there is less stress in our lives. He does not have to worry about anything at home because I take care of it all. I take care of shoppping, bills, cleaning, mowing, cooking, laundry, just everything. Once in a while, he helps me mow, and he takes care of all the stuff with the vehicles including washing them. I take care of his 82yr old mom as far as shopping, and drs. appts. and such for her. I take care of things for my mother also.
Do I have regrets? I am not sure if I would call them regrets. I do have moments where I want to throw up my hands and tell everyone to kiss my well booty to put it nicely. Sometimes I want to go back to work so I can get a break.
The problem with being a SAHM, is that everyone thinks you have all the time in the world, and that your life is so easy, yada, yada, yada. Well, this is the hardest job I have ever had. Also the most under appreciated job!!
You know that new comercial they have with the invisible mom. Thats how I feel a lot of times. However, when I think about getting back into the rat race of a job, having to answer to someone elses hours, and routine. I change back again. It would put a huge burden back on my husband with taking care of his mom, if I went back to work right now. Plus my son just now started middle school and he wouldn't know what to do with me not home. He in Kindergarden when I quit, so he doesn't really remember the days of daycare, and someone else taking care of him.
There are pluses and minuses to both. Being at home, I pretty much get things done as I see fit and have time for. I mean obviously, you are going to have a set schedule on some things, and dr's appts and such will be at certain times that you have to make time for, but everything else, I do when I have time or see fit to do them. If the house is dirty and my DH is off, it stays dirty and we spend time together. Summer is the worst time, because someone is always home and under foot, so I have decided that summer is the time to do the have to's and the extras like cleaning on top of the fridge and dusting the ceiling fan, and cleaning carpets are not done.
Once school is back in and I have several days to get things done without anyone under foot, then I start back on my schedule of the extras.
Anyway, for the most part I love being at home for everyone, but trust me, like anything else, there are downfalls. Sometimes I am very frustrated though and want to make a living again.