paula135711
New member
Hello. I’m almost a SAHP! Due in about 2.5 weeks. The plan has been for me to stay at home, while my husband works. Here is some background. I’ll try to keep it short.
My husband works in construction as a pipe fitter. He is a union worker and often travels for work (like, away for months on a job). He’s tired of traveling and wants to be here for his daughter. There is a great opportunity in another city and we will be moving there once our current lease is up. The kicker is- he will have to take a pay cut for a short time, but in the next few years, it will pay off and he will be making more than he has ever made. He will also be able to work a normal 40 hour week, with 8 hour shifts, compared to his normal 60+ hour weeks which are exhausting.
While the plan has been for me to be home with our daughter, I do still work as an adjunct instructor online for a community college. It’s a little extra cash, so it’s helpful.
But, with this new opportunity for my husband, it would be best financially if I could bring in more income. So, I may have to start looking for another job over this coming summer. (I’m keeping my adjunct job.)
Here’s my dilemma: I have a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mathematics. I have worked only in higher Education with my degrees, teaching mathematics. I stepped away from full time teaching because I found it’s not what I want to continue doing. It’s an emotionally draining job for me and the stress caused many health issues. Since stepping away from a full time role, I’ve been happier. Now, I have no problem getting a job to help my family. I know with my degrees I can find a job outside higher education. But, I don’t know if I want that…
First, I don’t want a job that will take over my life, having to always bring work home, like I did with teaching. Also, if I find a full time job, I would have to make enough to cover the cost of daycare plus some. Lastly, the thought of dropping my daughter at daycare before she is even 1 gives me anxiety. (Note: No disrespect to daycares and parents that do this. I just want to be home with my kid as much as possible, esp. early on. Just my preference.)
So, I’m considering finding a simple part time gig, like working at Starbucks or as a server (I worked mainly in food service through school). With this type of job, we could make it work so that we do not have to put our daughter in daycare. My husband would work days, I would work some nights. We’d save on the cost of daycare and we would have extra cash. I could also have a job that is over once the shift is over and isn’t super stressful.
The problem? I feel like I’m wasting my degrees- which I’m still paying off. Also, there is a little ego involved on my part- being in my mid 30s, with two STEM degrees, working in a restaurant. I know I’d be working such a job by choice, but I know there will be some judgement from others. Try as I might to not care, I’m still human. But, I do think I would be happier. I’m just not really interested in becoming a cog in corporate America.
Hopefully someone out there may be able to relate. Any input/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
My husband works in construction as a pipe fitter. He is a union worker and often travels for work (like, away for months on a job). He’s tired of traveling and wants to be here for his daughter. There is a great opportunity in another city and we will be moving there once our current lease is up. The kicker is- he will have to take a pay cut for a short time, but in the next few years, it will pay off and he will be making more than he has ever made. He will also be able to work a normal 40 hour week, with 8 hour shifts, compared to his normal 60+ hour weeks which are exhausting.
While the plan has been for me to be home with our daughter, I do still work as an adjunct instructor online for a community college. It’s a little extra cash, so it’s helpful.
But, with this new opportunity for my husband, it would be best financially if I could bring in more income. So, I may have to start looking for another job over this coming summer. (I’m keeping my adjunct job.)
Here’s my dilemma: I have a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mathematics. I have worked only in higher Education with my degrees, teaching mathematics. I stepped away from full time teaching because I found it’s not what I want to continue doing. It’s an emotionally draining job for me and the stress caused many health issues. Since stepping away from a full time role, I’ve been happier. Now, I have no problem getting a job to help my family. I know with my degrees I can find a job outside higher education. But, I don’t know if I want that…
First, I don’t want a job that will take over my life, having to always bring work home, like I did with teaching. Also, if I find a full time job, I would have to make enough to cover the cost of daycare plus some. Lastly, the thought of dropping my daughter at daycare before she is even 1 gives me anxiety. (Note: No disrespect to daycares and parents that do this. I just want to be home with my kid as much as possible, esp. early on. Just my preference.)
So, I’m considering finding a simple part time gig, like working at Starbucks or as a server (I worked mainly in food service through school). With this type of job, we could make it work so that we do not have to put our daughter in daycare. My husband would work days, I would work some nights. We’d save on the cost of daycare and we would have extra cash. I could also have a job that is over once the shift is over and isn’t super stressful.
The problem? I feel like I’m wasting my degrees- which I’m still paying off. Also, there is a little ego involved on my part- being in my mid 30s, with two STEM degrees, working in a restaurant. I know I’d be working such a job by choice, but I know there will be some judgement from others. Try as I might to not care, I’m still human. But, I do think I would be happier. I’m just not really interested in becoming a cog in corporate America.
Hopefully someone out there may be able to relate. Any input/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
