Working Parents - How much quality time do you get weekdays?

[mummy of 2]

I’m also considering applying to work part-time when DS1 starts P1 (that’s another 2 more years) as I don’t see how I can split my time between the two of them. Right now I’m already deprived of time with them. As things are really hectic at work these two months, I have not really been able to take leave to spend time with them.


In the meantime, I just continue spending on whatever kids stuff that catches my eye. Will have to be more careful about spending if I eventually work part-time.

[tamarind]

clarabella:

tamarind:

How about since birth to 2 years old ?

DH and I struggled to do everything ourselves lor. It was tough as we were overseas when our older kids were just a toddler and an infant; both of us were working and/or studying.

If the hubby can help out with most of the housework, then it should be manageable without maids.

But many working mommies do not have hubbys who can help, and the mommies end up doing everything themselves.

My hubby was raised by servants, he does not even know how to wash his own cup. He always say that he wants to help, but after he mop the floor, the floor is still dirty

[MdmKS]

For SAHM with 2 or more children, do you actually have domestic helper while that release you to have more time teaching your children? I feel if there is no helper how do you do all by yourself at home? Or do your DH still help up while you are not working or expect you to bao-ga-liao ?

[CJS]

I'm a SAHM with 3 children. I have part-time maid help for 3 years. Next year, I am going back to foreign domestic maid help again as 2 children are in the morning session and 1 going to P1 in the afternoon session. Fetching them to and from school plu one of the children need special care will already tire me out. I don't know if I coud still have energy to help them with their school work at home. The children have no tuition except the younger two who have chinese tuition.

[tamarind]

I know of a few types of husbands.


Type 1:
He comes back from work, do everything including cooking, bathing the kids, mopping the floor, wash toilet, wash clothes, etc. Wife does not need to do anything, she only needs to teach the kids. (I know both SAHMs and FTWMs who have this type of hubby, lucky women)

Type 2:
He is able to help out with at least 50% of the housework.

Type 3:
His heart wants to help out, but he really does not have the skills to do housework. He said he mopped the floor already but still so dirty. He does not even know how to fold clothes properly. But at least he does not object to wife employing a full time maid.

Type 4:
He does not do any housework at all, because he thinks that wife should do everything. He does not allow wife to employ a maid because he wants his privacy.

Type 5:
He works very long hours, not possible to help out with housework. No one at home, so not safe to employ a maid.

My hubby is Type 3. What type of hubby is yours ?

If your hubby is type 1, then definitely don't need maid lah.

[foreverj]

haha, do u have a type 5 for my hubby? he works very long hours so not possible to help with housework nor the kid. with no one at home for long hours, we also dun think its good idea to leave a maid at home plus also no privacy.

[tamarind]

foreverj:

haha, do u have a type 5 for my hubby? he works very long hours so not possible to help with housework nor the kid. with no one at home for long hours, we also dun think its good idea to leave a maid at home plus also no privacy.

OK I edited the post and added type 5 already. It is certainly not safe to leave a maid alone at home.

[foreverj]

hehe thanks


actually looking at the mummies share their thoughts of switching to part-time work when the kids go to p1 set me thinking. i think its good for my dd to come home to her mummy after school when she reach pri school. so i have to start planning how i can achieve that, eg. by running a home-based business or something. i have 3 years to do something abt it.

another way is to find a full-time job n put her in a good student care. during holidays stil got someone to care for her, but i can try to reserve my leave for her holidays :love:

[MdmKS]

Hi tamarind, thanks for the list of husband type to help determine if we need a maid. Mine belong to type2. If I become SAHM, I may have to take over the other 50%. Still now sstill can’t decide to work or stay at home.

[tamarind]

MdmKS:

Hi tamarind, thanks for the list of husband type to help determine if we need a maid. Mine belong to type2. If I become SAHM, I may have to take over the other 50%. Still now sstill can't decide to work or stay at home.

Hi MdmKS,
Actually even when you become SAHM, your hubby still can do 50% housework. My SIL used to be SAHM when she have only one baby, her hubby did 100% housework when he returned home, including cooking and bathing the baby. I know other SAHMs whose hubby also do all the housework.

Men have gone through NS before, they can take a lot more hardship than women if they are willing