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Seeker · 05-11-2005, 06:24 PM

I have had full time work and I have stayed at home while raising my daughter. So I've experienced both standpoints.

Working full time I felt that I was not able to be as involved in my daughters life, we were out the door at 6am and we got home around 6-6:30pm. Then dinner, baths, quick story and then it was her bed time. After a year of this I realised that I just didn't know who she was or where she was at. I no longer had a connection or understanding of her personality. They grow and change so quickly during the younger years.

I feel it is better for both of us, my having the ability to stay home or at least do some part-time or casual work. I feel lucky, she shares her days with me. I get stories about friends and even if she feels something is hard to talk about, I know the look on her face when she comes to tell me something. I have never been upset with something she has said because I know her and we can always communicate. I think this is because I have the time to focus on her, as when working full time I didn't feel as capable, and I didn't feel I knew her well enough, and sometimes there was just not enough time. Now she is older (12yrs old), I feel it's even more important that I am here to maintain this communication and friendship as her life is getting more complex. I get frustrated with my 'stuckness' sometimes, but overall I think my staying at home is best for her, I, and society.

There are people who can work and keep up with what I am doing by staying at home, but I find it difficult myself.

05-11-2005, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Seeker Getting Clearer Location: with spirit	I have had full time work and I have stayed at home while raising my daughter. So I've experienced both standpoints. Working full time I felt that I was not able to be as involved in my daughters life, we were out the door at 6am and we got home around 6-6:30pm. Then dinner, baths, quick story and then it was her bed time. After a year of this I realised that I just didn't know who she was or where she was at. I no longer had a connection or understanding of her personality. They grow and change so quickly during the younger years. I feel it is better for both of us, my having the ability to stay home or at least do some part-time or casual work. I feel lucky, she shares her days with me. I get stories about friends and even if she feels something is hard to talk about, I know the look on her face when she comes to tell me something. I have never been upset with something she has said because I know her and we can always communicate. I think this is because I have the time to focus on her, as when working full time I didn't feel as capable, and I didn't feel I knew her well enough, and sometimes there was just not enough time. Now she is older (12yrs old), I feel it's even more important that I am here to maintain this communication and friendship as her life is getting more complex. I get frustrated with my 'stuckness' sometimes, but overall I think my staying at home is best for her, I, and society. There are people who can work and keep up with what I am doing by staying at home, but I find it difficult myself. __________________ *To those who wander but who are not lost...* ~ Knowledge is not something you acquire, it is something you open yourself to.