When Breadwinner is Mom

Hi Ladies, I have lurked a little on this board and decided to post. Becoming the breadwinner in our house is a new experience for me, all of about 2wks now ;o) My DH has decided to go back to school. He was in a customer service job that paid OK, but he hated it! He wants to be teacher, so back to school he goes. He is going to school in the evenings and weekends, so he is home all day with our boys. We have a 6yr old and 3yr old. He is really enjoying being home. He keeps up the house and works with our 3yr old learning his ABC's, numbers, etc. The only downfall is he cannot cook, so I still have to come home and cook dinner. I have to admit, I would rather work than be a stay at home mom. I did it for 6 months and went nuts! I think he is much better at being the stay at home dad. I've heard that the stay at home dad is happening more than you would think. How do you ladies feel about it. Do you feel guilty working, while he is at home? Sometimes I do, but I guess it's because it was the norm for Mom to be home and Dad out working.

Anyway, I have rambled on long enough. I look forward to getting to know the other ladies on the board.

Ooops, edited to say sorry for not taking off my little yellow hat ;o)

HI and WELCOME Sitel!!

I've been here for a while...back with soon to be ex-H was a SAHD, but being a single mom makes you a breadwinner as well so I never left.

I did get jelaous of H being able to stay at home while I worked.  And when he was home...he never cooked...or cleaned for that matter.  I was doing "everything" back then as well...it's honestly easier now without him.

My saving grace for dinner is meal planning.  I would be lost without it.  Every Sunday I make my weekly menu and then do food shopping based off that.  Not only does it save money but it saves time.  And I have a plan of action when I get home...I don't loose time going thru the cabinets trying to think of something.

OH...and I got "excited" when I saw your CL hat...I thought someone had picked up this board.  I think some of the newbie might be thinking about applying for CL.

And then there's me. I've been the breadwinner for about 4 years now. Before that, I was making more money than DH (I finished college, via military scholarship, and he didn't), and I had the job with benefits, like the one that let me rack up medical bills suitable for buying real-estate and only paying $50 deductable. I took about 5 months maternity leave with each kid, and didn't mind staying home, but I knew it was temporary.

If it weren't for preschool bills, we'd be in pretty good shape, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel on that. WAY far at the end, since it's another year before the youngest is in kindergarten, right about the time local authorities are talking about making free public preschools.

Actually, the best thing DH does SAHD-wise is cook. The kids practically don't know what junk food is. Of course, they don't really appreciate that.

Hi Sitel

I totally relate to feeling like you would rather work than be a stay at home mom. I love my boys more than anything, but I am NOT a homebody, lol. I am also a terrible cook and cleaning, well, it isnt anything I'd like to do in my spare time. When we adopted our first son I worked half days for a while. Staying at home makes me bored and restless, then I get depressed and dont even want to clean house. My DH has done a major cleaning spree since he's been home, steam vaccuumed the carpets, put up shelves and and hooks in the laundry room, etc. He is also an artist and has really gotten into doing art projects with our boys during the day.

I also am the only one of us who finished college so I make more $ and everyone is on my insurance anyway. It was just the better deal all around.

Amy