At-Home Moms

Not sure where to begin, but I have DD who turned three the end of October.  Six weeks after she was born, I returned to working full time, BUT worked from home.  I did this until December 2006 when I was laid off.  First of all, for me, working from home while raising an infant was probably one of the hardest and most stresssul things I've ever done.  I don't reccommend it.  Now that your son is four mos old, it's going to get harder and harder to get away from him to get things done for work.  I found that the older my DD got, the harder it was for me to find the time to get my work done.  Not to mention being scared to death that she would start crying or make noises during conference calls or just plain work calls...

Anyway, during the almost two years I worked from home with her, I struggled with missing the adult conversation and socialization, too.  For me, I turned to a volunteer program where every Wed night I volunteered my time for about an hour.  I met some interesting people and it gave me a chance to socialize.  I also talked on the phone a lot more with my extended family (i.e., aunts, cousins, etc.) AND my immediate family.  If/when my DH had a business event to go to, if spouses were allowed or invited to go, I made sure I went.  While all these things helped, none of them were a substitute for interacting with other adults on a daily, regular basis.  Good luck with adjusting and good luck with working from home.  I hope you'll find it easier to do than I did.  BTW, since being laid off, I've been a full time SAHM.  Believe it or not, it took me almost a year to fully adjust to and accept it.  And now that I did, I can say I really enjoy it.  Albeit, we're struggling financially to make ends meet, but in the long run, I think this is best for my children (#2 due 2/6/06).

I too quit working this summer.  I guess that's why I'm here!!  I have days I go crazy.  I literally call everyone I know who will talk to me.  I love playing with my kids but I do require adult conversation.  My hubby has several hobbies that the kids are too little to tag a long.  Otherwise we would all go.  I found myself going to a dairy barn last night with my hubby to meet new people!  I try to exercise and do a lot of gardening in the summer.   But winter has been a challenge in both areas.  I gained 20 lbs.  If I had a sitter I would go to a gym, but then again if I had a sitter I'd be working.  I do enjoy being home and now I don't think I want to work for a long time.  Maybe something with the school when the kids are in elementary.  But I have 4 or 5 years before I start to socialize again.  Feel sorry for those people!!haha  Do you do any crafts or hobbies.  I have been trying to do little crafts and selling them on ebay.  Keep my mind occupied and make a few dollars.  I even started to sell avon just to get me out of the house every other week and meet new people.  The kids can tag along and once again maybe make a few extra dollars.  Good Luck Let me know if you find anything exciting to do!!

Congrats on #2.  I know what you mean about struggling financially while you stay home to raise the kids.  My hubby gets laid off every year.  So it's not a suprise, I try to plan ahead.  But December into January really sucks.  Makes me glad I stockpile in October.  My hubby helps on a few farms in exchange for steer and pigs.  At least we never run out of meat.  I think that's why I crave fish!!  It's been 5 months since I have worked and each day I get more glad that I did this.  I would have to say that if asked if I wanted to go back to work I'd say NO.  I missed out on so many firsts with my daughter(4) because of working.  I look at my son (2) and say " did she do this?"!  LOL