SAH Spouses

I live in one of the largest counties (geographically) in California that also happens to be one of the smallest--if not THE smallest--population-wise. I think there's about 14,000 people in the county. Most of the county is wilderness, and hardly any of it is flat--mountains take up most of the space. The population sign at the edge of my town reads 200, but it's more like 50 in the wintertime. The next town, which happens to be the largest in the county, is 45 minutes away, down an incredibly winding road. Its population is a whopping 3,500. There's exactly one store in my town--it's the all-purpose gas station, grocery, gift shop, propane place, etc., so most of us must do our shopping either at the town 45 minutes away, but usually big shopping trips are done at the town that's one and a half hours away. There aren't any cell phone towers, and hence, no cell phones.--read more

hmm, i just selected every single category that has to do with my life, but perhaps that was overdoing it. Yet all these subjects came up today:

Teens, Education, Homeschooling: my homeschooler is trying to crash a class at the local public high school, and although we have every right as "taxpayers" for her to attend, all the b.s. that goes along with their bureaucracy makes you have second thoughts! She thinks it's so funny that the teacher admonishes the kids to be quiet and keep their hands to themselves, stay in their chairs, etc. She's been going to independent classes and community college classes for a year now, and no one ever talks like that. Yet this class is supposed to be this really creative interdisciplinary math class that people vie to get into... had to do an "audition" like it was a broadway show! Maybe it will turn out to be inventive and cool... right now she's just mesmerized by the social scene. They also gave her three hours of homework last night...what on earth? If they spent more time in class doing math instead of worrying about the baby stuff...--read more

this sahw thing is driving me insane. I have seen people write that they don't get bored, well HOW? it seems like all I do is stare at this screen, really what else can I do? since I don't work I don't have any money to go out and do something, like take a class or anything like that.--read more

Today is my first week anniversary of being a SAHS.

This first week, I gave myself permission to be "on vacation at home". I've never really had that opportunity before. Whenever I've had more than a long weekend off work, it has been spent traveling. I don't mean to complain about the past - those were amazing experiences - but it is not the same as having "down" time.

Also, I don't mean I did nothing all week. Each day, I prepared the meals, did the laundry and dishes. I began minimal morning and evening routines. Also, I started small steps in my weekly routines - menu planning, grocery shopping, etc. I even made time for an afternoon visit with a friend.--read more

I'm writing this in anticipation of becoming a SAHW early next year. After several years of being stressed out and miserable at work, my DH agreed that I should quit my job. Actually, he would prefer that I found another job, but is willing to try this instead. After sitting on the fence about this for a few months, I finally realized that the ONLY reason I was working was for the money. Given all the negatives, it was worth trying to live on one income.--read more