When Is Working Worth It?

I work outside the home basically one day per week. I don't have to work, my husband's salary is enough, but I love going to work each week. I like my job, it gives me a break from the kids, a chance to hang out with adults and solve different problems. I also like showing my kids that mommies and daddies can both work, and both take care of their families, working isn't just something men do.

Work isn't just about money. You should take the job if you think it is something that would benefit you. Personally, I would do it.

I would take it for all the reasons you listed and one more. Even if hubby has a good job having a rainy day fund or a vacation fund is always a good thing. You could set aside the money you make for special things and it would be nice to be able to buy hubby gifts, Christmas, birthday ect with money you earned.

while being a SAHM is awesome, i think it's also great for moms to have parts of their lives that are not mom-related, and working from home is a great way to do it. especially since it seems this particular job is short-term. if it's part-time, you'll still have plenty of time for summer fun.
i'd hire some help and do it.
khairete
S.

Another minority opinion . . . it's not worth it when your kids are very small, and you don't *have* to work outside the home.

I worked alot when my kids were little and I still regret it. Even when I tried to work part-time, it still seeped into my children's lives. That being said, I was in a demanding, non-mommy-friendly profession.

Those years pass so quickly and we can't get them back.

JMO.

As a long time SAHM I say go for it! There will be absolutely NO impact on your kids, as a matter of fact they will probably love having a sitter. I had a college student come in a few times a week when my kids were little and they adored her. Too many SAHMs are so controlling and have such an ego, they can't see how their children benefit from getting to know and be around other adults. Maybe they feel threatened because they feel they need their childrens' undivided attention all the time (?) I don't know. But I don't think it's healthy. And I think having/developing current work skills is part of being a proactive and responsible parent.

If you WANT to do the work, do it. It's worth it if it's worth it to YOU.

If you can AFFORD to hire the help and the work is INTERESTING, I'd do it. It' a few hours a day. It gives you options and opens doors.

When life presents an opportunity (that feels like an opportunity and not a burden) I always think it serves us well to take it! You can always decide to say no the next time.

HTH
T.

•when the take home money AFTER child care makes a significant impact on your financial position

•when you feel the NEED to do it, and the financial aspect of child care doesn't drastically impact your financial position

•when it's a career, not a job, and keeping in the field is important should you plan to return to work after the kids are older

Good luck!

This seems like an ideal opportunity for all the reasons you listed. It's a great way to keep one foot in the water, so to speak, and keep your skills current. And yet, you will be working from home, so you don't have to wear a suit, drive to an office, deal with annoying co-workers. It's the best of all possible worlds. I'd do it.

For some background, I worked full-time (more than full-time, really) for my entire career until 18 months ago. At that point, I left my corporate career to start a company with my husband. I'm fortunate enough to be able to work from home many days. In my opinion, this is the best way to work, because I do fulfilling and challenging work, yet I'm able to set my own hours (to some extent) and I can schedule my work around my kids' schedules. It's great to work (which I love), yet not have that guilty-mommy feeling of trudging off to the office (which I never did love, really).

Anyway, I think it's a no-brainer. I'd take the job.

It sounds like you'd enjoy the break and chance to do indulge your energy elsewhere. So the "want" to work seems to be there, which is #1.

#2 is can you afford it? Does what you'd get paid offset the cost of having someone to come in to watch your kids while you do it? If yes, it's a no brainer. If no, then you need to consider how much you really want to do this/build your resume, or if maybe it doesn't make sense.

Personal fulfillment varies over the years, and if you need to something more than being a mom right now (I work full time), I'd say go for it.

I have several friends who "can" stay home full time, but choose to do something part time because they like having a "grown up" aspect to their lives. They like talking with other adults and getting their brain going during the week about things other than diapers, nap times and play dates. It's not about the money for them, but as you said... good to have something "current" just in case!

the fact that you should consider is that the children will be young for such a short time-and you don't need the money-they need you-and that's the game.

I work part time 10-15 hrs a week. I can work at home or go into my office. I love it and am very happy! I love having some adult time and using my brain for science again AND feeling like I am actually using all my degrees! I love making a little bit of my own money...like you we don't need it but of course it helps. I love keeping up my skills. I also love it that I still get plenty of time with my kids to do fun stuff with them.

I would try it. You say it is for two months. If at the end of the two months things are not up to what you hoped for you can end it. If it is something that you really like you can pursue it further.

Staying at home and being a full time mom is nice but as you said, you begin to think about diapers and kids and not in terms of adult things. You need to be a well rounded individual in order to show your child(ren) that moms can do many things besides being just mom. You are also preparing for the day when they do leave home and not have the complete empty nest syndrome that many moms have of what do I do now?

You will know what to do. Good luck to you.

I have worked full time, been mom full time, worked and been mom and ran a business as a private contractor while my children were young and they are not scarred from it. In fact they were very proud that mom could do all the things that she did. I even attended class trips and enjoyed not only my kids but others as well.

the other S.

If you need help with kids will there be ANY money? I see your point about the resume, but you don't sound like you need a break mentally from kids yet. This time next year or in six months you may be dying for a job like this. This could be nice trial run to see if work is in your future.

I'm a sahm mom looking to get back to work. I have done some painting commissions which do pay and I have done some at summer time. It's a DRAG to work for me. It puts lots of pressure on an already hard job, but I have 3 kids and ex always travelled, so a bit different. Also I couldn't afford childcare while working, so that was extremely stressful trying to work with kids around.

I wouldn't do it if I didn't need the money because summer is so busy with fun kid stuff.

I would do it if I were me though, because I need the money AND I need to refresh my resume.

So, for you.....it seems like either choice you make is the right one. It's worth it when you can swing it financially (child care) and if it can benefit you down the line (resume and experience) and if you don't miss out on anything you consider more valuable.

I would do it for the reasons you have listed. But to be honest - I would work full time even if I never got paid. I love my career - I love being a grown up, doing rewarding work and interacting with other grown ups. Of course being paid is a great bonus. But to the naysayers (don't work if you need child care, have to pay social security, don't make a million $$) - SAHMs have ALWAYS worked. It is called volunteering and a great number of very important organizations depend upon it.

I work 9-12 hours a week. When the kids were little I was able to bring them to work with me. My schedule is pretty flexible, so in the summer I am able to tailor it around our adventures. Where I am from summers are short, so I wouldn't take any job that consumed the summer. For me working is only worth it if it doesn't interfere with my life.

I would do it. When I was in college working retail, there were several women who only worked like 4 hrs a week I never understood the point, Now I do....it was grown up time. Time away from the kids. Time to make friends and do something for themselves. It was never about the money.

It is only for a couple of months, go for it! As for it being in the summer, since you homeschool summer has a different meaning, you can vacation anytime the weather is nice, don't let that stop you. Also since it is from home you can set your schedule and work around that. You may be able to get it done working only 3 days a week, which stills leaves plenty of time for family time!

Good luck

My question is, will you pay taxes and social security/medicare? Will you be considered an employee or will they be contracting work out to you?

If you don't have 40 quarters of paying into SS/Medicare, you won't qualify when you retire. Maybe you don't need the SS, but I guarantee you that you'll need the Medicare.

It is important to keep up with our skills. It helps us cope in a technologically quick-changing world.

If you are going to clear enough in wages to pay for your house to get clean, and you hate cleaning house (like me!) maybe it's worth it to you.

Some people can do work from home while taking care of children, but that doesn't mean that they do the work well, or that their children don't suffer for it. There's a lady who wrote in earlier today whose life is literally falling apart over working two jobs, one in and one out of the home, with little sleep and no help from her husband. That's the kind of circumstance that is NEVER worth it.

It might be helpful to ask an accountant about the social security question to help you decide.

If keeping up your skills and using your brain (in different ways) is what's appealing about the opportunity, then go for it. If you're craving adult time and conversation, then I don't think working from home provides that unless you'll be participating in conference calls or something like that. How much flexibility do you have with your hours? Are you able to work a couple of hours here and there so that you can do it at night or while the little one sleeps? Keep in mind you'll be paying for child care out of the your income. Depending on how much you'll be paid, you need to save for taxes, assuming you'll be paid gross wages like a consultant.

I am a work at home mom and have been for 10 years..since my kids were babies. It's a perfect fit for my family. It was a little challenging when the kids were not in school full-time, but I worked when they were sleeping and had a nanny for a couple of days a week. I love the balance of being a work at home mom. It's hectic at times, but I do my best to keep those stressful days in perspective and am so very grateful to be home and making money. My husband is now working with me at home and we feel so lucky to be doing what we love while at home. Now that the kids are older, 10 and 7, it's great to have the flexible schedule so we can help with homework, take them to activities and have lots of family time together. As long as your schedule would be flexible and limited hours, I'd go for it!

I have been fortunate to not "have" to work outside the home.

My husband has always been in outside sales with a HQ usually in the Northeast and no customer service help so I always acted as his customer service rep, managed his travel plans, etc and just stayed in the loop by helping him out. The more I could do to help him, the more he was freed up to get develop more business, etc.

When daughter started school in 2001 I was doing a lot of volunteering at the school. I was approached y the principal to apply to substitute because they were in need of good educated subs and she had seen me working with the children in the classes and thought I'd be a good fit.

SO, I started subbing at this one elementary school only and I loved every minute of it because I was at school when my daughter was at school. Even when daughter moved on to upper levels, the teachers made arrangements so that I could get her to school which was a later time than elementary and still get to the elementary on time to put in my day. I am truly blessed with this opportunity. My daughter graduates this June.

Move forward to about 5 yrs ago. Hubby and I had the opportunity to be self employed and own our own company in the field he had been working over 15 yrs. It was a blessing that I had been helping him all along because now, not only do I manage customer service, my experiences by helping him gave me great experience in his field, I am the CFO and manage all the financials from payroll to AP/AR, taxes, etc of our now multi million dollar company.

Granted... IF my daughter was young and not about to head out to college, etc, there is no way I could manage to work at home like I do now. I have to be spot on 100% correct or I can cost us thousands.

I STILL substitute at the elementary school. Sometimes once or twice a week and I do it because I LOVE it. It is my outlet.

Another point to ponder..... we are huge planners. Even though my subbing might bring in a very low $500 a month.... we think about multiple income streams. When 1 stream is cut off, you focus on the other stream to keep things flowing. Now, my subbing money is typically my money for my hair, housekeeper, play money, etc but if the worst case happened, I could easily step it up and sub full time and use the money for our family expense.

Bottom line, if you can do some type of work and it not interfere with your family dynamic and you get some fulfillment from it, think about giving it a shot and see if it works for you.

Good luck

You say from home but is it full time or part time? That's a big factor IMO. All day gone from the kids probalby isn't worth it in your situation but part time would seem great.

I would go ahead and take the work so that you have some activity on your resume, assuming that the cost of hiring a mother's helper to be in your home while you're working isn't more than what you'd earn. Browse the posts from mom who have been out of the workforce for many years with no work activity at all who go back to work to see how difficult that is. This is a chance to keep up your skills, maintain a professional connection and earn some money while still being at home with your kids and having a baby-sitter or mother's helper entertain them while you're working? Sounds perfect.

I disagree with all of the moms who say that you cannot sit children while working from home. I did.

I would do it but consider how much $ u will yield after day care cost...that will help u decide.

I did do some work from home and could not get anything done. I was writing grants and on the computer. I tried hiring a 13 year old mother's helper and she was a disaster.
My friend trained hers to keep the kids outside or in the playroom and not to disturb her. She got so much more done. The girl charged $2 an hour and another girl charged $5.

We have a unique situation right now where hubby works Fri-Sun so our son (and soon to be baby) has dad at home Mon-Thurs. If that were not the sitaution and we could AFFORD for me to stay home, I would do it in a heartbeat and we have a wonderful daycare 3 miles from our house so it's not for lack of great daycares around.....

But not everyone is cut out for being a SAHM. If you feel like you NEED more...then go for it.