Mothers 'are happier' having job?

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7140093.stm

What do you think about this study?
I personally think I would go mad being a stay at home mum, but I only work part time so I get the best of both worlds

Would you be happier staying at home or do you prefer to work as well as being a parent?

retyreed
Would you not say the the happiness of the child also comes down the happiness of the parents?

blahblahblah
I never said that at all!
The STUDY said the majority of working mums are happier than stay at home mums
I was only asking for you view on this subject, i wasnt dictating how you should feel

Answer 1

my children have only ever known me work i worked my way up into a senior role even though i only worked part time, suddenly i was made redundent from my position and i was given 2 choices i could ether take a job i was over qualified for and a huge dock in wages or take on a more demanding job and work full time starting at 7 am in the morning which would have been a nightmare as a single mum with 3 kids at 3 different schools. so i chose to leave and you know what my self and my kids are so much happier its only when i look back my poor kids was passed from pillow to post so i could work. so now im gonna take advantage of my situation and go back to collage and still be there for my kids

Answer 2

There is no way on earth I could afford to be a stay at home mum, want doesn't come into it for me! But I think I would go mad being at home full time, I have spent a long time sorting my career out so I would work maybe 4 days a week.

edit

to the person below me - you disagree with the fact that I cannot 'afford' financially to be a stay at home mum - you know something about my finances I dont?

Answer 3

Okay, I am the first "Stay at home Mum" to answer and I disagree with all the answers so far!!


I am almost 30 and the only "job" I've ever had is as a Mum. I am very social and also intellectually satisfied!

There is not one single day my children haven't done something that hasn't astounded me and not a day I can think of they didn't need to show me something they have learnt....I say go working Mums but please don't say you are happier than me because I treasure every moment of my child's day and chose to share it first hand


edit!! I'm sorry if I came across as condescending...I just disagree with the study, not you!!

Answer 4

I'll be a stay at home father next year, so not only will I be away from work but I cant see myself wanting to go to any mothers clubs or hang around with mums discussing why there kid is better than the rest.
I will look for some on-line work to stay sane, or just keep answering things on here. or go mad.

Answer 5

My daughters past 3 now.. so my stay at home period would gladly be coming to an end!! coz i do kind of get depressed not working..when shes gone to Kindergarten ... plus I m way off now, and would need a lot to get back into my field, but Ive enjoyed every moment Ive spent with my child and wouldve not missed it for the world !. Though I do feel its kind of important to dedicate the first 3-4 years of ur child to them entirely. I wouldnt trust my baby to a nanny till 3 atleast.
Ofcourse it has its downs..
And now im looking to break free from this and get back to work!! Though it wud b tough getting a job after a 4 yr break
N yes mothers wud b happier having a job, coz its a change for them, for interacting with new ppl, and last but definitely not the least .. THE SATISFACTION of earning their own dough!

Answer 6

I´m a part time worker also so i agree with all of the others that it´s a best of both worlds situation.

There were times when my son was very small and it was really difficult , but I made so many friends in my job and get a huge amount of satisfaction from my work.

I have several friends who have chosen not to work and that is to be completely respected too.

Isn´t it great that we live in an age and a culture where we have the choice. Great granny wasn´t so lucky!

Answer 7

i have been a stay at home mum for 3 weeks (well i am on maternity leave lol) but i could NOT do it all the time no way!!! dont get me wrong i 100% love being with my daughter its totally lovely but to do this as choice,id go mad too. i too work part time (when not on leave) and its the best thing i could have done was go back to work after having my daughter and i shall do the same with when this baby arrives too. thing is we do need adult company and stuff,and this is why its nice to work so you can keep in touch with the outside world etc.......plus dont like the thought of being a kept woman...

Answer 8

Im a stay at home Mum, and I do Ann Summers partys as well. I couldnt not do anything cos otherwise you have no adult conversation, or money. But at the same time I believe being at home for your Children is very important which is why I chose my job as I work when I want. (usually twice a week when they kids are in bed)Its also a social life as well.

Answer 9

I stayed at home with my kids until my smallest was 7. One day on washing my husbands tie's (For something to do) I realised I needed a life. I have never regretted going back to work, although its hard with all the running around, I feel I am not just wifey or mummy but a real person in my own right. There is no wright or wrong, it's what suits you.
Good question.

Answer 10

My wife is happy enough to be a full time Mum for now but as as soon as our child is starts full time school she wants to get a job again, probably part-time.

I have asked her

"Isn't being a Mum an important job?"
"Will he be better off?"

Her replies "Yes, the most important job in the world. But not the only job in the world!"
"Financially, yes we will be slightly better off. I will feel more fulfilled and happier, I can be a better mother to him. This ought to make him happier in the long run."

Looks like I've lost this one....