I've tried pretty much every permutation of the working vs stay-at-home motherhood 'debate'. I've been a full-time mum bringing nary a penny into the household coffers, and I've also worked so hard on building my own business that I've barely glanced in the direction of my sprogs, never mind had a second spare to properly parent them.
But interestingly, in over a decade of trying both life as a stay-at-time mum and full-time working motherhood, I'm still a bit conflicted about which suits me best.
So I was a little surprised to read about research by the Yorkshire Building Society which suggests that full-time mums are happier than us working mothers.
Now I'm not about to go pitting y'all against each other in a 'who's got the best deal' forum but I do wonder if the lives of Playpennies parents bear out this data.
So without resorting to scrapping over this, can we conduct a little experiment to see whether full-
time mums are truly happier than working mums? Or, as I suspect might be the case, is it in fact true that there's no one-size-fits-all arrangement when it comes to having kids and earning a living, and that consequently different things make different mothers happy.
Now I can only speak for myself, of course, but I wasn't really cut out for full-time motherhood and I definitely didn't consider myself happier then (when I was a stay-at-home mum) than I do now that I get to fit a freelance career around caring for my kids. I feel like a have a peachy deal right now but it's a mix of both full-time parenthood and being a working mum. It brings its stresses and strains, of course, but it means I'm able to be at my kids' sports days and assemblies at the drop of a hat without having to ask anyone for time off, yet I'm also getting to use my grey matter and avoiding the soul-numbing boredom which I found set in when I was at home with the kids full-time.
But what about you? If you're a working mother would you agree with this data which suggests you'd be happier if you didn't have to work? And if you're a full-time mummy, do you think it's true that you've got things made - or do you ever dream of having an income of your own?
We'd love to hear your thoughts. Take part in our poll, leave us a comment below or come and join the debate over on our Facebook page. Just please, remember to play nice.
I think there's a huge difference between full time working Mums and part time working Mums and in fact Mums who have jobs that fit in around their children.
We aren't all lucky enough have the choice and as Mummies we do the best with the situation we're in. Given that choice however, I would not willingly get my child up in the morning to pack them off to nursery every day for a 7.30 start and pick them up again at 6 in time for a snack, bath and bed unless I really had to.
It's really not a criticism of those who do this and I really hope it doesn't come across that way. Could I do it myself if I didn't have to though? No I could not.
However, a job that fits around your children is altogether different. If you are lucky enough to be in that position it provides a sometimes much needed boost to ones self esteem (not to mention bank balence!) as well as allowing our brains to change format. I think we all need that at least once in a while.
Anyway, that's just my view on the matter rightly or wrongly ☺
Apologies balance not balence!
I'm a working mum.
I have shift work but I've made sure my time with my kiddies comes first.
My mornings are full of cuddles, racing cars, jumping in puddles and what ever else we put on the agenda and then late afternoon and evening I go to work.
This means my husband gets his one to one time with the kiddies as well which he loves.
We had a big discussion about me returning to work and it's worked out well, we both appreciate family time more and make sure we plan adventures when we are both off together and we appreciate each more.
Don't get me wrong I miss them so much when I'm at work and times would rather be at home and then I think of what we are able to do more of with me bringing in that extra income.
It is a hard one but I'm happy doing both x
I am a full time working mum. I previously worked 50 hours a week. Dropped down to 40 hours when my oldest started school. I have one day off to do the school run and anything needed. I hate it, I want to be home. I don't want to miss another sports day or be made to feel bad because yet again I've missed something at school because I just can't take everything off.