[USER]

Married 38 with three elementary aged kids. We have both have well paying jobs and strong nw / saving.

My husband makes $300k and I make $170k. It is getting harder with kids and us both working professional jobs.

My question: has anyone quit their job and regretted it?

I alway thought I would stay home, but my great flexibility including a reduced schedule / work from home and well paid has kept me in my job.

Just worried to walk away from this great situation but also realizing life is passing fast and we don’t need the money.

[Erica]

I quit for awhile and was bored and restless. So glad I went back to work. Stay in the workforce, use your $ to buy your time back: Housekeeper, meals, personal assistant etc.

your kids are in school 6 hours a day at this point so you aren’t really “losing time”.

You never know what will happen: divorce, death, disability and I know soooooo many divorced moms who got screwed over by staying home.

Ask for more flexibility from your employer to cut hours if needed.

[Zane]

There will be plenty of jobs when they are in MS/HS. Sounds like it probably wont be as good as this one but if you all want to stay home you should.

Cook more, dont hire out to mow your lawn, etc to cut down a few expenses.

[Caro]

Personally I decided not to stay home and I have similar flex in my job (albeit an element of unpredictability).

That flex is enough to give me the fulfillment I need on both sides of the spectrum, plus the ability to do a lot of fun things with my family.

Are you FI? How long til? Do you want to stay at home? Are there other things you can pay to contract out (laundry, cooking, etc) that will give you even more free time in your current situation?

Honestly though – the main thing here is it sounds like you can live off one salary so, really, it boils down to YOU having the choice.

How do you want to spend the time?

Me, I can’t be mom 24/7. Just can’t. I work in healthcare and there’s an element of purpose and service that fulfills me that I need. Plus, I just can’t entertain two very high energy kids all day.

I’ve actually considered retiring when they’re both in elementary school and spending summers and breaks etc with them.

Because I don’t know if I want them carted from before care to school to after care.

But if I can get a school where it’s on site and they do their hw etc then I may continue working.

We shall see!

[Jennifer]

You truly are wasting precious years that you are not going to get back. If you can afford it, what are you waiting for?

You can always go back if it’s not for you.

[Kim]

Long ago before we had kids we agreed I would be a SAHM. I do have a college degree and did work before kids but my calling, my passion my everything was and is my kids.

I have never regretted for one minute giving up the almighty $1 to be at every practice, every game, every musical and tennis match.

To take them to and from school, to be there after school where they worked diligently at their homework and other pursuits.

The job isn’t for everyone but moments are fleeting and I recognized that before I even had kids.

Hoping you can find your way to enjoy this time in their life to the max

[Rachel]

With is being reduced/flexible, what do you feel like you are missing out on when they are in school?

Can you have different hours inschool vs on breaks? How stressed does it leave you?

Is there a potential to reduce the workload anymore?

[Jenny]

How long until you hit FI number? Can you outsource the cleaning, cooking and chores so that you can spend quality time with your kids?

Cut down on your hours and keep your foot in the door?

[Megan]

My husband and I are both engineers. I quit when our 2nd child was born. That was almost 12 years ago, and I haven’t regretted it.

It felt odd the first couple of years, but that feeling faded. You definitely don’t need the money.

You can spend and save on $300K. What you don’t have a lot of is time.

They go from elementary to high school in an instant.

Ask me how I know

[Negrita]

Before quitting I’d try outsourcing household tasks. Cleaning, cooking, lawn care etc….
Use that $ to buy back time.

With outsourcing some stuff you’d be able to prioritize time w/them.
Your job sounds perfect to me.

Your kids will be in school 6-7 hours out of the day regularly.

Do you have an idea of what you would do with this time? Household stuff? Volunteer?

Also be sure to confirm your numbers before quitting. Take everything into account. Retirement. Pay off all debt (except house) first.

Have a large Emergency Fund. Car maintenance fund. Long term savings. $ for school for your angels.

If you’re set with all these then you can pretty much do as you like!!

[Breianna]

Income has always been a major factor and driving force. However, if your husband earns a great income, you may find that learning to manage within his earnings could allow you to embrace the stay-at-home wife and mom role you’ve always dreamed of.

Life is too precious and goes by too fast.

You are very blessed with a high-paying income, and if managed wisely, there may be no need for both spouses to work!

[Rick]

With income of almost $500k, how close are you to FIRE? Should this be a fire decision and not a loss of income decision?

[Diya]

If you can afford it, then I would recommend that you take this time. This time with your kids will not come back.

This is coming from a single mom with a 13 year old heading to high school and realization that I have only 4 years before she heads off to college.

[Brandie]

Definitely don’t quit. Keep saving/ investing. Maybe look into hiring a full time housekeeper.

But definitely outsource the crappy stuff -cleaning, lawn care, maybe even a cook, grocery shopping, etc.

[Author]

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