Mom's that made the transition from FTWM to SAHM

If you had a plan to eventually make the switch, what were some of the steps that you took? As much as I love my job and the company I work for, I feel like I'm missing way too much at home. I'm always busy, always trying to squeeze in one more chore before the night is through and I find myself constantly say "Hang on sweetie, let momma just finish this one thing..". We have a decent amount of debt that we have a plan in motion to pay off. My goal is to be a SAHM by the end of next summer. Other than paying off debt, what are some other things that we should be considering and planning for?

Re: Mom's that made the transition from FTWM to SAHM

I became a SAHM the end of May. It was a choice I made for a lot of reasons. I do miss a paycheck and some adult time, but that's it. I love being home. I don't have to rush at night getting them to bed, making lunches for daycare, etc. not make plans with friends at night b.c I'm too beat and have too much to do. I enjoy me time more, going out with friends, etc on weekends if a situation comes up and not guilty that I hardly spend time with my kids. Of course the main thing is gettin all the time with my kids. I don't spend much anymore. My 3 yr old goes to preschool everyday for a few hours so my 14 mon old and I walk, go to library, do some shopping or errands. I look for actives that don't cost much and see my friends that are also SAHM's .
DH is busy with work, but we still have to watch our spending. He does the yard work, I do all the cleaning, etc to save on hiring.

Mom's that made the transition from FTWM to SAHM

I wasn't a FTWM first. But I did go straight to SAHM after my maternity leave from a full-time job.

The best thing we did to prepare for living on one salary was to....live on one salary. When we found out we were pregnant, we took my salary and banked 100% of it. We didn't touch it for ANYTHING. We lived solely off DH's salary the entire 9 months so that when DD came and I stopped getting checks from work, it wasn't a shock to our budget.

There was no adjustment period because we had already worked out the kinks. Plus we had a nice chunk in the savings account.

That really was the best thing that worked for us. It got us used to spending less and being more conscious of our purchases.

Re: Mom's that made the transition from FTWM to SAHM

Re: Mom's that made the transition from FTWM to SAHM

Posted by OaksWife

Posted by MamaPapaBear

I wasn't a FTWM first. But I did go straight to SAHM after my maternity leave from a full-time job.

The best thing we did to prepare for living on one salary was to....live on one salary. When we found out we were pregnant, we took my salary and banked 100% of it. We didn't touch it for ANYTHING. We lived solely off DH's salary the entire 9 months so that when DD came and I stopped getting checks from work, it wasn't a shock to our budget.

There was no adjustment period because we had already worked out the kinks. Plus we had a nice chunk in the savings account.

That really was the best thing that worked for us. It got us used to spending less and being more conscious of our purchases.

I just had an aha moment, thank you! That makes so much sense! I do have to pay for childcare now, but I can take this idea and apply it to my situation! Thanks!