Both my now adult son and D-I-L love every moment they spend with their son while they work fulltime,well maybe my son even more so. The mom working part time from kids prem birth with the good fortune of her mother-super suitable, very fit primaryteacher aided a bit with her teacher husband in a country property, then 2 days childcare & then kinder days increasing to be sharing the load. Neither want to be SAHM/Ds.

I couldn’t believe how much more renormalised I became going back to work and how insular I ‘d been in expectations living a SAHM life with even very bright kids mixing with just other SAHMs.

Plus it’s not the best career wise move even with getting later post grad quals, feeling out of kilter with same aged peers. The reality is that in the end both parent will need to work anyway.

I realy don’t believe any SAHM/D do put in more dedicated time into the sharing caring developmental constructive times with their children at preschool, toddler or younger ages or with genuine appreceation as adults have limits re overlap time with them and are have other needs and will need to finf their momentary persuits if in that role. If theses SAHM/D’s claim they love that role and want to stay in it they are indulging in their free time, lying about it and some have gotten fearful if facing the work world.Not a good formula for the reality for the future economic needs they will face later.

I understand having a SAHM/D during infancy if the only option of a childcare facility though after 1yrs old part time is very feasable.

There is one great advantage to being a SAHM/D for 14-18 mth old toddlers, it’s the availability to toilet train the kid at the ideal age by routine and prompting availability that’s hardrer with mixed care arrangements. Since few parents bother then it limits the reason to use childcare.

I didn’t let costs of child care stop me from returning to work before getting super-well properly qualified. The lower level jobs of my career path that needed more study on the side did count for experience and there was a bit if money added to our income, but meant full time work for a pittance gain.

So glad you told the truth, I think is a universal truth of concientous parents who aren’t slackers re their kids or honest about adult needs of purposeful activity.