Is My Grass Really Greener?

My mother in law is a self employed personal trainner. She works at a place that she is able to set her own schedule so that she can be home with her daughter after school. She offers trainning two nights a week also while my FIL is home. Maybe you could look into something like that.

Good Luck, from a fellow SAHM to another I truely believe that sometimes being a SAHM is harder then working outside of the house fulltime. Don't listen to the rude remarks that people have to say because in most cases they are just jealous that they can't stay home with there own kids or don't want to say home them and feel guilty.

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What works for one may not work for another. I love spending time with my kids, but I also need a break from Phineas and Ferb sometimes. I'm glad to go to work and talk to grown ups. I make the time most of the time we have together.

If I had the opportunity to choose, I would go work for the school system. You wouldn't need help because you would be off when he is out of school. Same holidays, off in the summer. It's one option if you want to work but not miss any time with your family. You can start as a teachers aide and work toward your teacher certification online.

Look, you have a great life, but if you need to work or go to school or whatever to be just a little happier or more satisfied or more complete, then do it! Don't feel guilty. It sounds like your hubby is great and willing to let you figure things out. You can and will make it work. Your child is old enough to both understand and probably be excited about some time to explore some things for himself too. Every mom has a hard job, no matter if they work, stay at home, or whatever...and yes there can be a lot of condescending people on here at times, but also supportive ones. Do what feels right to you and go for it!

I don't really have an answer to your question, but I don't know if it would help if you "reframed" some of your thinking. You write that you don't want to rely on "strangers" to help you care for your son. Well, they're only strangers until you get to know them. Some of the most wonderful caring people have been caregivers for both of my children. I didn't know them before they started caring for my kids, but I know them now. I mean, at one point, your husband was a stranger! So were your sons teachers, etc. So if you want to go back to work and this is the thing holding you back, consider meeting some people (babysitters, nannies, the afterschool program). Sometimes I think we psych ourselves out.

Good luck.

I'm with Jane on the "strangers" thing. It will probably be good for him to meet other adults who have different interests than those of you and your husband, he could learn some really cool stuff that might never have occurred to you to teach him.

i am in your position, no family around to count on and my husband's schedule is out of his hands, so if something happens he cannot just take off.
I made the painful decision of quitting the workforce. It's been 2 years now. I still have the feeling of emptiness, and shame because i never grew up thinking: can't wait to get married and be taken care of.
My husband is a great provider, great husband, and awesome dad, and he in no way does make me feel less than great. He also says he feels bad seeing me struggle with the feeling of emptiness but that he appreciates everything that I do.
I am more critical of myself than other people. I thought I could do it all. be a great mom and have a great career. something had to give unless i wanted to rely on babysitters, which i don't.
So I have told myself i will hang in there and help my daughter through her medical issues, be a great mom (well, best i can be without forcing myself into the ground), and once i feel her medical issues have resolved, I will look into helping myself find myself. That is it. I think my biggest struggle is that I don't know why I am nor what my future holds. I used to have plans, and now I live day to day. That is difficult for me.
so back to you, i think you need to do what will make you happy. If that means wait a few years until you're comfortable with how your son is doing then get training and start working in that direction.
In meantime, i will try to find myself.
L.

I think no matter what our situation, we will always think theres a better alternative. I've been going through and seeing this alot lately. My husband and I have been through some rough times for awhile now, not between us but things due to the economy etc. And just when we think there's light at the end of the tunnel, we're knocked down again, But we both realize how lucky we are for what we have and try to focus on that. But at the same time, you can't help sometimes to want other things, more things that you think may fulfill you more.
Start off small maybe. Work only a few hours a week, and just see how it goes. It is a blessing being a SAHM mom, but it can also get maddening. I have friends who are envious, and maybe a little mad that I get to stay home. But with that I also sacrifice alot. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks, do whats right for you and your family!

If you're going to be a personal trainer, just have clients while your son is at school. Also, I wouldn't let what complete strangers say to you or, about you, bother you at all. You need to do what's right for you and your family. Good luck.

I know exactly how you feel.

I went back to college for a second degree, then when I was applying to grad school got pregant again and decided to wait a few years before working/ schooling more. I decided against med school with two kids, a decision I do not regret, but I would have liked to go to med school in another life. :)

I am a photographer (my first degree is in art) and I started a studio. I had been doing fine art work for years and now I do weddings and portraits. It makes me feel good to make my own money, take some time to do something personally ambitious, be an example of a capable woman who can do different things, and it gives me the flexibility and freedom to set my own schedule.

When my son goes to school in two years I'll probably go back to school, too, but I'm not feeling the pressure I once did. In fact, now I'm feeling like slowing down and I'm accepting less work than I did last year. I had a phenomenal year work wise last year, but I had a miserable year time wise. I've decided to slow down and spend more time with my kids. Full circle, I guess.

Good luck.

I am so sick and tired of moms judging other moms. Don't listen to theose women who say those snarky comments. They are not happy with their own lives and try to project that on others. I have to work but would love for my son to be with his family all day. That's not our situation. You have a situation that works for your family. Do what you need to do to be happy. If you aren't happy, the family will be able to tell. If that means waiting a bit or working nights or only while your son is in school, then that is the perfect solution.