Hi All. I need some advice. Here’s the situation:
My best friend is a SAHM. She’s been at home for about 4 or 5 years. Her children are now in middle school and go to school from about 7:30/8 AM to around 3 PM. She picks them up from school. She came to me upset because she and her partner are having financial issues and he has requested that she look for a job. She graduated college and has worked before but took time off of working to be with her children (which she and her partner were in agreement with). However, she’s upset that her partner now wants her to work instead of him asking for a raise (he definitely gets underpaid at his job and taken advantage of). However, her partner made the point that she’s at home all day while the kids are at school. He wonders what exactly she’s doing with all of that free time. Now, I love my friend but honestly, she’s not doing a ton during the day. Matter of fact, sometimes I have to tell her, “hey, I can’t call you right now because IM WORKING” lol. She probably spends about 1-2 hours “tending to the home” and the rest she’s just doing whatever she wants. They have 2 children. She may have to attend the occasional doctors visit but nothing that keeps her too busy during the day. She even told me one time that she has the house work and grocery shopping down to a science and can knock most of it out earlier in the week.
What do you all think? SAHPs, please weigh in. If she reentered the work force (she previously worked in sales but hated it which is also what prompted her to become a SAHM) she could absolutely make $50K. They hit some financial snags because of some debts they have and some medical bills/caring for elderly parents. I also think they just overspend in general.
I can see where my friend is coming from – she really wants her partner to step up and get paid what he deserves – but I can also see where her partners coming from in wanting her to financially contribute.