what do you think, it is 2007 after all?

Question

my wife and i both are out of a job, we are both applying for work at different places. at the last job i was at i was making only 7 bucks an hour, and were were living on that pretty well, but now my wife wants to work, and it pays 9 bucks an hour.
all in all these aren't problems, but my mother, and old fashipned christian woman, acts like we've killed somebody, just because she's going to be working not me. we have a 19 month old and i just dont trust day care, or baby sitters.

what is everyone's opinion on this?

Answer 1

Are you honestly asking whether it's OK for you to raise your child?

Uhhhhh .... yeah. Being a parent is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I encourage you to do so.

Good luck with your money situation! And tell your mother that you are a parent who wants to parent. End of story.

Answer 2

I would jump for joy to be in a situation like that. It is ideal. Someone has to keep the house. The highest earner should make the money. Money should saved by avoiding daycare.

The children can be raised more carefully and with one-on-one attention, by the parents personally; and this makes for stronger family relations and loyalty over time.

Either of you might eventually find ways to earn a living or supplemental income from home using the WWW. But that is not the most important issue here. It is appropriate adaptation to changing environment.

This is now, not the 1950s. This is no time to try to conform to a social environment that no longer exists, that no longer works, that is no longer appropriate for our globalized world.

Don't watch those grainy white picket fence American Dream film commercials/tv show/propaganda reruns for emulation; only for historical curiosity, things to rise above, not revert to.

Look at the world and society and American/global economy now. It's happenig fast and those who roll with the changes will pass through many failures to many successes as long as they keep looking forward and not back.

It is old traditions and bad decisions based on erroneous assumptions and unuseful predjuces that have brought down the greatest societies, the greatest empires for thousands of years past.

Be wise: Kind and respectful to family and friends -- But never follow bad advice, or even less-than-the-best advice if you can imagine any way at all to avoid it.

Stay informed, you're on the right track.

Look at the world your child will enter-- global politics/demographics -population/economy.
Who can best help that child prepare?

Answer 3

I know two couples where the wife works and the husband is a house-husband, taking care of the kids. I have no problem with this. Someone is working, and the kids are taken care of by a parent who loves them. You and your wife need to do what's best for your child and yourselves. I hope you don't let your mother's disapproval bother you in the slightest.

Answer 4

I'd like to know where y'all live that you can support 2 adults and a baby on $7/hr. That wouldn't support 1 person anywhere I've ever lived.

If your family can live off one person's paycheck that's fine (w/o gov't help)...otherwise both of you need to work (that's the norm these days anyway) and find either sitters, daycare, or work opposite shifts so someone is always home with the child.

Answer 5

You gotta eat. But as the man of the house, you need to take care of your wife and kids. Keep looking for a job or get some education so you can get a better paying job.

Answer 6

I think you are making the logically decision. My husband was equally active in the raising of our kids. It is scarey to leave a baby with a stranger. If you can stay home I say do it!!! It worked great for us! Besides....as you will find children grow wayyyyy too fast...cherish the time you have!

Answer 7

You have to do, what you have to do..

I have married friends, where they each work 2 or 3 jobs, and work around the kids schedule.

Answer 8

It is up to you and your wife to work out this situation. It is not anyone else's business.