Wondering if it’s time to put in my two weeks and embark on this SAHM journey. It’s been a long time coming and my husband is aligned. With summer around the corner I really want to be present with my kids this break. Bonus has been the lowest I received in the last 5 years… my overall compensation has been decreasing over the last 3 years. I really like the leaders I work with and am about to kick off a new project but my morale is at the lowest it’s ever been. Any thoughts? 💭

If you can swing it financially and have the desire to do it, I don't think it's something you'll regret. As I embark on another summer of working my 35 hours a week (part-time) and spending every day telling my kids that mom's work isn't done yet....I wish I could.

This is a huge and very personal decision. I think it’s important to consider that it has long term effects, though that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it if it’s the right choice for you. This calculator provides some good long term insight about the financial side (though of course this is only one piece of the decision): https://interactives.americanprogress.org/childcarecosts/

I also think it’s important to consider how women often get the message that we will never regret stepping back from our careers, that our kids are only little once, etc., and these can create pressure even when staying home may not be the best choice for us. I will say that my mom left her career when she was pregnant with me and she does indeed regret not at least keeping her foot in the door so she could return to work once we were in school.

The work culture and expectations in the US are such a disaster for parents (both mothers and fathers tbh) so everyone just need to make the decision that’s best for them. If you can downshift and go part time or freelance I do think that’s a great choice as the comment above says. And for me personally I’d want to budget to ensure I could still get some childcare coverage (like at least a gym with childcare to get a couple hours a day), that we could afford for my husband to max out a spousal IRA, and- most importantly- that my husband and I were aligned on what this means for our partnership and that my work at home was valued just as much as his work outside the home and that we still got equal leisure time.

Financial security would be key esp in the current environment. Would you like to start with LoA at first for a few months to get away from toxic work environment. Personally, i had a financially difficult Childhood and giving up my financial independence scares me a little.

Also I value adult (no kids) time :) Just be sure of what you want.


just remember the time it took me to find my groove when i tried to get back to work.

Go for it. If you plan to rejoin the workforce when they are older, you may also want to think about a reduction in schedule if your team allows it (such as 3 days a week). The only reason I say this is because I know many women really struggled to return to work at a level that was fairly equal to when they initially left.

Do it, seriously. Especially if your kids are little. I just quit in Jan with my baby and toddler and I'm loving it. Some days can be tough with 24/7 mom life, but still so worth it.

DO IT!!! You'll never regret more time with your family and your kids are only little once.