Things I've learned after a year in school

[Moxie]

After 10 years of homeschooling, most of my kids went to school this year. Here are the things that really surprised me.

 

1. Learn to speak Spanish and you're guaranteed a job. Every organization is looking for someone who is bilingual.

 

2. Schools go through a disturbing amount of paper.

 

3. Thankfully, no one outside of homeschooling cares about the age of the earth. No one outside of homeschooling has heard the term Young Earth. And we live just a few hours from The Creation Museum!!

 

4. There are some seriously dedicated people in the world. A school secretary who volunteers at sporting events just to support the school. Teachers who will meet at any time to discuss issues. I've been so impressed.

 

5. There are no perfect teachers.

 

6. In every organization, there is a small handful of people who do all the work.

 

7. Packing lunches every day is soul sucking.

 

8. Tuition might be X but add 20% to that for all the little things through the year. Even public school will nickle and dime you to death.

 

9. There are no SAHMs outside of homeschooling anymore. That woman with 4 kids that you assumed stayed home is actually a part time nurse. That other gal who just had a baby runs a home daycare. DH has been trying to tell me that for years but I didn't believe him. I am really changing the way we're raising our kids based on this paradigm shift.

 

10. Outside of homeschooling, large families are very rare, even at a Catholic school.

Edited May 31, 2016 by Moxie

[TammyS]

 I am really changing the way we're raising our kids based on this paradigm shift.

 

 

 

How so?

 

[Guest]

How so?

 

I have a degree in Eng Lit. No one ever asked me what my job plans with that degree were because I was engaged and planned to be a SAHM. I'm raising my kids to pick an area that they want to work in and find a degree that supports that. I'm encouraging my daughters to pick a career that can easily be done part-time or from home.

 

Life is just too expensive for only one person to work and it isn't getting cheaper.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Life is just too expensive for only one person to work and it isn't getting cheaper.

 

Depends.

 

Not everyone's situation is the same.

Sounds like your kids had a decent year!  The age of the earth thing...yeah that's one I have never encountered anywhere except on-line.

[Guest]

Depends.

 

Not everyone's situation is the same.

Sounds like your kids had a decent year! The age of the earth thing...yeah that's one I have never encountered anywhere except on-line.

Obviously, an anesthesiologist can support a family. A mechanic usually can't unless he owns the shop. Home prices and insurance costs are going to keep going up. If my girls can afford to be SAHMs, that is great! But I want them to have all the options.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Obviously, an anesthesiologist can support a family. A mechanic usually can't unless he owns the shop. Home prices and insurance costs are going to keep going up. If my girls can afford to be SAHMs, that is great! But I want them to have all the options.

 

It's always good to have options.  Ya never really know.

[poppy]

I am a SAHM currently based on where my life is now. I would never raise a child to have that as a job ambition... to decide in to be completely financially dependent on someone else before you've even met that someone else. Very few people expect to have their financial livelihood rocked by illness, death or divorce . Happens alllllll the time sadly.

 

If you are can be a SAHM , it really is wonderful. But the decide to have no marketable skills in advance is crazy.

[MedicMom]

We just found out DH has to have total shoulder reconstructive surgery that will essentially end his career. We just got a worker's comp check for the time he was off work due to his first surgery---last JUNE.

 

I am thankful I have two degrees that can support my family and even though we have to tighten our finances a lot, I can support us for the long term if needed.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Just throwing into the conversation that there are still a lot of SAHMs in military circles. It does still exist, somewhat.

 

There are SAH parents in many circles. 

 

Most of the ones I know personally are homeschoolers because that's something I'm involved with. 

[Bluegoat]

I think the SAH thing is a balance.

 

My dd11 talks about wanting to be a mom - she hasn't I think got much sense of SAH or WOH.  I would not want her to be without skills to earn a living.  I also, however, would not want her to think about what kinds of careers would fit in with her view of what kind of mom she might like to be.  She was interested at one point in being a lawyer - if she'd been older, that is something where I might have pointed out that people work many hours, and it can be tricky to take a break, and a lot of women may delay having kids.

 

 

[Arcadia]

There are SAH parents in many circles.

 

Most of the ones I know personally are homeschoolers because that's something I'm involved with.

I do know many SAHP who are working freelance as babysitters or tutors. Some tutor at the library in the late afternoons with their kids also at the library. They would usually say they are SAHM than freelancers if it comes up in light conversation. I also know a few neighbors who sell cosmetics and tupperware as agents.

 

My Air Force nephew's wife is technically a SAHW/M when he is outstation overseas because she is not suppose to work. When they are in-country, she temps because he loves being outstation overseas and he wants his family with him. So it is kind of pointless for her to get a perm job even though in-laws are willing and able to babysit for free.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

.....

Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[Pawz4me]

 

9. There are no SAHMs outside of homeschooling anymore.

 

 

There are many SAHMs in our current neighborhood and our previous one.  Only one of them is a homeschooler.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I have yet to personally encounter anyone who encourage their daughters to not get an education.  I got an education (and still continue to).  I had never planned on staying home, but here I am. 

 

I wouldn't mind working part time, but there hasn't been anything ideal for my situation.  Maybe if I worked late at night.  It wouldn't be worth it to me though.  Don't really need the money, I'd be cranky, and I'd never see my husband.  I see no point in doing that if I don't need to.

 

 

[Guest]

I should clarify that by SAHM, I mean women who bring in no income. I know several moms who are there during the day for their kids but they also work on weekends, sell stuff online, etc.

[hjffkj]

I know tons of SAHM who do not homeschool. One of my best friends is eagerly awaiting for her youngest to enter kindergarten so she can have half the day to herself. She never plans on going back to work. They do not make 6 figures.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

...

 

Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[Penguin]

Moxie, it sounds like you overall had a good experience this year. I was a Catholic-school-mom for 15 years before we started homeschooling, and I have some wonderful memories. 

[Bluegoat]

A big thing to me if I had a kid that wanted to be a parent at home would be thinking with them about what work could bring in a reasonable amount of money while also allowing them to work PT or during hours they choose.

[Arcadia]

A big thing to me if I had a kid that wanted to be a parent at home would be thinking with them about what work could bring in a reasonable amount of money while also allowing them to work PT or during hours they choose.

My cousins and many lady neighbors have bookkeeping certifications because of that. It was the easiest to find work at home or work part time job when I was growing up and even now. If they are certified accountants the piece rate/hourly rate is higher, but it is the bookkeeping work that was easier to get.

 

ETA:

Clerical legal work or paralegal is another field but that requires more connections while temp agencies usually have bookkeeping work. My friends with take home paralegal work have previously worked years in firms before kids so contacts and job experience has been established.

Edited May 31, 2016 by Arcadia

[Tsuga]

After 10 years of homeschooling, most of my kids went to school this year. Here are the things that really surprised me.

 

1. Learn to speak Spanish and you're guaranteed a job. Every organization is looking for someone who is bilingual.

 

Depends where you are. Mandarin, Russian, Amaric and Japanese are just as useful here.

 

2. Schools go through a disturbing amount of paper.

 

If nobody funds upgrades. :(

 

3. Thankfully, no one outside of homeschooling cares about the age of the earth. No one outside of homeschooling has heard the term Young Earth. And we live just a few hours from The Creation Museum!!

 

4. There are some seriously dedicated people in the world. A school secretary who volunteers at sporting events just to support the school. Teachers who will meet at any time to discuss issues. I've been so impressed.

 

Tip of the iceberg. Tip of the iceberg, my friend.

 

5. There are no perfect teachers.

 

This follows from "no perfect people". :)

 

6. In every organization, there is a small handful of people who do all the work.

 

So true.

 

7. Packing lunches every day is soul sucking.

 

Cafeteria woot woot.

 

8. Tuition might be X but add 20% to that for all the little things through the year. Even public school will nickle and dime you to death.

 

It's an incredible deal compared to private. We pay a large donation to the PTSA and then buy minor things like transport and supplies. Just wait for college. :(

 

9. There are no SAHMs outside of homeschooling anymore. That woman with 4 kids that you assumed stayed home is actually a part time nurse. That other gal who just had a baby runs a home daycare. DH has been trying to tell me that for years but I didn't believe him. I am really changing the way we're raising our kids based on this paradigm shift.

 

Well yeah... How do you think they survive? Though to be fair I would not classify HSing as SAHPing. The work is different and the value is different. (edit not more necessarily but different)

 

10. Outside of homeschooling, large families are very rare, even at a Catholic school.

Edited May 31, 2016 by Tsuga

[Tsuga]

My Air Force nephew's wife is technically a SAHW/M when he is outstation overseas because she is not suppose to work. When they are in-country, she temps because he loves being outstation overseas and he wants his family with him. So it is kind of pointless for her to get a perm job even though in-laws are willing and able to babysit for free.

I don't know about this. I worked overseas. No problem. You can work on post, remotely, whatever. You have to pay taxes according to local laws (when necessary) but you can work.

[vonfirmath]

After 10 years of homeschooling, most of my kids went to school this year. Here are the things that really surprised me.

 

1. Learn to speak Spanish and you're guaranteed a job. Every organization is looking for someone who is bilingual.

 

2. Schools go through a disturbing amount of paper.

 

 

HAve to. I was on the PTO this year. Paper notices were the best way we came up with to reach the most amount of paper. We have email, Facebook, people standing outside in front of the school with signs... But the paper that goes home in kids' backpacks gets the best response rate.

[Meadowlark]

I couldn't really get a feel from your post about how it actually went, aside from your observations.I remember you being quite burned out last year. Would you say it was a positive move for everyone? You are now on the other side of a fence that some of us think about often. A penny for your thoughts? (or more detailed thoughts I should say...)

[wendy not in HI]

It sounds like your family had a good year at school, for the most part.  Our kids are in school and I have found many of the same things to be true.  I'm with you on the packing lunches (every day of my life)

 

There are still a lot of SAHM's in my circle of friends from my military spouse friends and from church (lds) friends.   I have found that most sahm's disappear when their kids are in middle school.  That's also where those who worked part time begin working more full time hours and are much less interested in helping out with middle school activities.  

 

BUT, I have six sisters and my parents raised us way back in the dark ages (70's and 80's) to get an education because you may need to support your family.  After my uncle lost his job in his 40's and came to live with us, my parents began pushing us toward getting a degree that would mean something, rather than something just open ended.  Of the seven of us just 2 of us are stay at home moms, though maybe I don't count because I am earning a tiny bit of money teaching violin lessons, with our move this summer that job disappears and I'm not sure if I will teach at our next duty station as we will just be there a year...

 

As my girls head to college we are pushing then toward careers as well.  Our oldest dd is in nursing school, and our second dd is graduating high school this year and will have an ROTC scholarship.  

 

On the other hand, our dd who will be doing ROTC recently told me that a church leader told her: "that's a tough way to raise a family".  Hmmm.  Okay.  Probably true. On the other hand, the main reason she decided to apply for an ROTC scholarship was because of another female church leader who had gone to school on an ROTC scholarship and loved it.  Got a few years experience as an engineer in the AF, got her masters paid for, then got out....stayed home when her children were young and is now working part time in a patent office...  

 

All I know is that you never know what will happen, and I want my girls (and boy) prepared to live a full life in what ever way they choose.  

[Guest]

I couldn't really get a feel from your post about how it actually went, aside from your observations.I remember you being quite burned out last year. Would you say it was a positive move for everyone? You are now on the other side of a fence that some of us think about often. A penny for your thoughts? (or more detailed thoughts I should say...)

Honestly, it has been the best year we've had in a long time. I try not to think about it much but, when I do, I wish we had quit homeschooling years ago. The whole YE thing has taken over homeschooling in this area and we really felt like outcasts. Honestly, it has really soured me on all religion but that is a post for a different day. The school my younger kids attend has done wonders working with my ASD son. I've sold all our books and we're not looking back!

[FriedClams]

I take a different approach to the SAHM issue. We're clear with our son that he should expect to support his wife to be a SAHM, and or daughter to marry someone who believes is a valuable for her to be a SAHM. We don't want either kid to have any school debt toward that end. We also teach/encourage gratitude - used cars, garage sales, being thrifty are all important. I want them to know the difference between needs and wants. I want both of my kids as well educated as possible to be whatever God has for them in the future, but I think being a SAHM is a wonderful calling for even the most well educated woman. No plan is perfect, but we're very honest about what we "gave up" for me to be home and how we wouldn't trade it for anything. I pray my kids will do the same for my grandkids some day.

[FriedClams]

Honestly, it has been the best year we've had in a long time. I try not to think about it much but, when I do, I wish we had quit homeschooling years ago. The whole YE thing has taken over homeschooling in this area and we really felt like outcasts. Honestly, it has really soured me on all religion but that is a post for a different day. The school my younger kids attend has done wonders working with my ASD son. I've sold all our books and we're not looking back!

I'm glad it's been a great year for you! My BFF quit homeschooling a few years ago and it's been great for her kids to be in school. I struggle a little with contentment in our journey since we really have NO options locally. Soon we'll DE, college is around the corner, and we'll press on. Don't have regrets, though. Hindsight is cheap and you can't beat yourself up. Enjoy your summer break!

Edited May 31, 2016 by FriedClams

[Guest]

I'm glad it's been a great year for you! My BFF quit homeschooling a few years ago and it's been great for her kids to be in school. I struggle a little with contentment in our journey since we really have NO options locally. Soon we'll DE, college is around the corner, and we'll press on. Don't have regrets, though. Hindsight is cheap and you can't beat yourself up. Enjoy your summer break!

That's another thing! This is the first summer that I have no guilt. There are no math books that need finished!! Woo hoo!!

[Arcadia]

I don't know about this. I worked overseas. No problem. You can work on post, remotely, whatever. You have to pay taxes according to local laws (when necessary) but you can work.

They married prior to his overseas posting so that he can bring her along. She completed her bachelors while overseas as there was spousal benefits so maybe the paperwork for her to work as well as study was not worth the hassle. All I know was that they have to be married and that she would have education benefits as his spouse. My nephew (cousin's son) is my age :lol:

 

My SIL is Air Force too but combat instead of technician. She flies helicopters.

[shage]

I think the SAH thing is a balance.

 

My dd11 talks about wanting to be a mom - she hasn't I think got much sense of SAH or WOH. I would not want her to be without skills to earn a living. I also, however, would not want her to think about what kinds of careers would fit in with her view of what kind of mom she might like to be. She was interested at one point in being a lawyer - if she'd been older, that is something where I might have pointed out that people work many hours, and it can be tricky to take a break, and a lot of women may delay having kids.

It depends on the kind of law.

 

I am not an attorney but work in legal world and know several women who have made it work. They are often self employed and avoid corporate work.

[NorthwestMom]

I feel your pain on the packing lunches! It takes me literally 2 minutes to pack my daughter's lunch, but it feels like the worst 2 minute of my morning. What  a baby I am. LOL

[mlktwins]

I think some of your observations depend greatly on area.

 

I know tons of SAHM's outside of homeschooling, and lots of non-homeschooling families who have 4 kids.

 

Even with HCOL here, there are plenty of people who make six figures, and can afford for a parent to stay home.

Same in my area!

[HeWillSoar]

After 10 years of homeschooling, most of my kids went to school this year. Here are the things that really surprised me.

 

1. Learn to speak Spanish and you're guaranteed a job. Every organization is looking for someone who is bilingual.

 

2. Schools go through a disturbing amount of paper.

 

3. Thankfully, no one outside of homeschooling cares about the age of the earth. No one outside of homeschooling has heard the term Young Earth. And we live just a few hours from The Creation Museum!!  So true!  I hadn't heard of it until I started homeschooling. 

 

4. There are some seriously dedicated people in the world. A school secretary who volunteers at sporting events just to support the school. Teachers who will meet at any time to discuss issues. I've been so impressed.

 

5. There are no perfect teachers.  My kids had a couple.  They are like gold.

 

6. In every organization, there is a small handful of people who do all the work.

 

7. Packing lunches every day is soul sucking.  Yes, indeed!

 

8. Tuition might be X but add 20% to that for all the little things through the year. Even public school will nickle and dime you to death. Again, yes! I do not miss that!!

 

9. There are no SAHMs outside of homeschooling anymore. That woman with 4 kids that you assumed stayed home is actually a part time nurse. That other gal who just had a baby runs a home daycare. DH has been trying to tell me that for years but I didn't believe him. I am really changing the way we're raising our kids based on this paradigm shift.  Well, there was me.  But I think I was the only one. 

 

10. Outside of homeschooling, large families are very rare, even at a Catholic school.

 

My comments are in bold above. 

 

[Seasider]

Oh your list is entertaining! I have to say that #3 made me laugh and #7 got a big amen from me.

[Guest]

Oh your list is entertaining! I have to say that #3 made me laugh and #7 got a big amen from me.

Idk why it is so horrible but it totally is!

[Bluegoat]

It depends on the kind of law.

 

I am not an attorney but work in legal world and know several women who have made it work. They are often self employed and avoid corporate work.

 

Yes, I've seen the self-employed have an easier time.  I have a friend also who left a big firm to work for the government, he makes much less but he gets home for supper most of the time.  Town size can make a difference as well - my friend's dad heads a successful firm but it is located in a mainly rural area, and he's had a much easier time having a reasonable kind of lifestyle.

 

So it isn't a total no-go, but it is something I would encourage someone to think about, in terms of what kind of work they want to do, where they want to live, what kind of lifestyle they want. 

 

And that would be similar for other kinds of work as well.

[BlsdMama]

I have a degree in Eng Lit. No one ever asked me what my job plans with that degree were because I was engaged and planned to be a SAHM. I'm raising my kids to pick an area that they want to work in and find a degree that supports that. I'm encouraging my daughters to pick a career that can easily be done part-time or from home.

 

Life is just too expensive for only one person to work and it isn't getting cheaper.

 

 

We encouraged DD to get a degree in something that she could do private practice so she would have the same flexibility and will continue to be mindful of it.  While it is ultimately up to our girls, we believe there is a huge blessing in a mother being able to stay home and nurture their children AND have that choice.  So many just don't have the choice.

 

Thank you for the insight.  Initially I thought it was a full year of YOU being in school, so I was interested as I had just completed my first year of being back in school, lol. ;)  

This was good - thank you for sharing.

[Guest]

We encouraged DD to get a degree in something that she could do private practice so she would have the same flexibility and will continue to be mindful of it. While it is ultimately up to our girls, we believe there is a huge blessing in a mother being able to stay home and nurture their children AND have that choice. So many just don't have the choice.

 

Thank you for the insight. Initially I thought it was a full year of YOU being in school, so I was interested as I had just completed my first year of being back in school, lol. ;)

This was good - thank you for sharing.

So, how did your first year go? How did you balance all you need to do at home with school? Do you plan on entering the workforce when you graduate? I'm still trying to figure out my plans.

[shage]

Yes, I've seen the self-employed have an easier time. I have a friend also who left a big firm to work for the government, he makes much less but he gets home for supper most of the time. Town size can make a difference as well - my friend's dad heads a successful firm but it is located in a mainly rural area, and he's had a much easier time having a reasonable kind of lifestyle.

 

So it isn't a total no-go, but it is something I would encourage someone to think about, in terms of what kind of work they want to do, where they want to live, what kind of lifestyle they want.

 

And that would be similar for other kinds of work as well.

I work a part time job not traditionally thought to be family friendly but I have a measure of control over my hours and it's specialized enough to pay well. High hourly pay is the ultimate in family friendliness because you don't have to work many hours provided you manage not to get caught up in the rat race. My own experience has led.me to think much more broadly for my own daughter. If she enjoys the schooling and training, the investment may be worth it even for a part time career.

[Seasider]

I work a part time job not traditionally thought to be family friendly but I have a measure of control over my hours and it's specialized enough to pay well. High hourly pay is the ultimate in family friendliness because you don't have to work many hours provided you manage not to get caught up in the rat race. My own experience has led.me to think much more broadly for my own daughter. If she enjoys the schooling and training, the investment may be worth it even for a part time career.

This reminds me of something I heard at a home school conference ages ago. Forget about raising a valedictorian; valedictorians aren't really in high demand after graduation. Raise a specialist, because when someone needs one, the specialist can ask any price he wants and the person in need will almost always pay it.

[Veritaserum]

I couldn't really get a feel from your post about how it actually went, aside from your observations.I remember you being quite burned out last year. Would you say it was a positive move for everyone? You are now on the other side of a fence that some of us think about often. A penny for your thoughts? (or more detailed thoughts I should say...)

  

 

My kids went to school for the first time after ten years of homeschooling them. I agonized over the decision and thought about it for a couple of years leading up the change. I'm glad I did it. School isn't perfect, but it relieved some of the intense pressure that was sucking me dry and burning me out. My health has not been great for a few years and then my oldest had a very difficult year, including a hospitalization. Add five other kids and things were just too much.

 

The children cried on the last day of school because they loved it so much. I was thoughtful in my choice of school and utilized the option of sending them to public charter schools. My 14yo blossomed socially and academically in her tiny liberal arts school. It's a Montessori school and their methods are similar to some of the ones I employed in our homeschool. The culture of the school is very nurturing and accepting. Lots of "misfits" end up there and thrive in the supportive environment. Experiential learning is a big focus in the school students in grades 7-12 all go on expeditions at the end of the year. My 14yo went to Washington DC (we live in the west, so that was a big deal). My 16yo was at this school, but we had to withdraw due to health reasons. The 16yo is working on packets to make up credits toward eventual graduation.

 

The next three youngest attended a different charter school that has a more formal/rigid approach. I was a bit nervous about this, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience overall. All three children improved in weak areas and did fine in their strong areas. They enjoyed the social aspects as well and I came to really like and appreciate their teachers. This school uses uniforms which I've decided are ideal for streamlining mornings with young children.

 

I paid for school lunches because I just couldn't deal with the idea of packing lunches. I did print a monthly menu of what the cafeteria was serving. If a particular child didn't want that lunch, they could pack their own lunch instead.

 

Honestly, it has been the best year we've had in a long time. I try not to think about it much but, when I do, I wish we had quit homeschooling years ago. The whole YE thing has taken over homeschooling in this area and we really felt like outcasts. Honestly, it has really soured me on all religion but that is a post for a different day. The school my younger kids attend has done wonders working with my ASD son. I've sold all our books and we're not looking back!

I grew extremely frustrated without our local homeschooling community because it is so conservative. We live in a conservative area and some of the homeschoolers pulled their kids out because the public schools are "too liberal." Most of the groups are tacitly religious, if not explicitly so. The dominant religion is the one I believed in until a few years ago. I no longer attend church due to overt hostility on the part of the institution and its members toward people such as feminists and queer people. My oldest child is queer and stopped attending our local public school due to daily harassment from the conservative religious kids at the school. Nothing makes it easier to learn than being told that your essential self is evil. @@

[BooksandBoys]

I know exactly 2 completely SAHMs here, the rest of us who look like SAHM to outsiders are actually working part time, whether at home or out of it. Incidentally, those 2 SAHMs aren't homeschooling their school aged children (and use preschools heavily too).

 

However, SAHM is still a rather common status where I grew up (rural Midwest). Many of my childhood friends are SAHMs. I think cost of living has a lot to do with this. We need me to work, but the families in my hometown can get by with a single income that is much lower than the full time income my husband earns in our rather high COL area.

 

We are about to move to a much lower COL area. It's rural and military too, so I will be interested to see how the family dynamics look there. Our middle child will be going to the PS there, so I'm sure I'll learn about many of your points in a few short months.

 

I agree, Moxie, that it's essential to educate our kids about the family-friendliness of their career choices. I made the wrong decision (for me) and ended up with a career that doesn't work as a part time worker. I've been reinventing myself a bit at a time ever since I quit full-time work to have our second child.

[umsami]

I think it's really smart to encourage your daughters (and sons) towards careers which may work part-time.  I never thought I'd ever be a SAHM.  I had a choice between two career paths, and I chose the one that is definitely suited for a life with no-kids (lots of travel).  I know so many RNs and NPs who earn a very good salary working PT, and still can maintain their careers.

[lauraw4321]

Hmm, I speak Spanish and I've never found that to be an advantage career-wise. Although, I've made some poor career choices...

[poppy]

I have a liberal arts degree and a random corporate job (think data analyst). Once your reputation is  built with a few years of FT work, it is not at all hard to find consulting work,- often PT.  Though it is not easy to get a position with benefits that is PT unless you start FT and negotiate hours down the road.

 

My point is, there isn't a short-list of family friendly careers.  It is worth considering the family-friendliness of a career choice..... but it's not the be-all, end-all. You don't know if you will marry. You don't know if you will be able to have kids within a certain decade of your life , for a whole host of reason: infertility, debt, caretaking an elderly relative, passion for a project, travel opportunities, a zillion other reasons in between.  Study what fascinates you.  Be an interesting person. If you have a family, your kids might just be better off for it.

[momacacia]

So what's with #1? Is it only Spanish? Is this something the kids were told, or you just noticed that those who were bilingual in the school admin had an easier time getting/keeping positions?

[Tsuga]

They married prior to his overseas posting so that he can bring her along. She completed her bachelors while overseas as there was spousal benefits so maybe the paperwork for her to work as well as study was not worth the hassle. All I know was that they have to be married and that she would have education benefits as his spouse. My nephew (cousin's son) is my age :lol:

 

My SIL is Air Force too but combat instead of technician. She flies helicopters.

 

So basically it sounds like they didn't do the paperwork.

 

It is a ton of work up front but not being able to work is just really boring at times! I get being turned off but it's not the same as not being able to.

 

My cousin and aunt were helicopter pilots too! Don't think it's your SIL though based on other things you have written about your family.

[nd293]

Interesting - I agree with most of what you've said.

 

7 - This year I've been preparing lunches for 3 or 4 days at a time - chana masala (chickpea curry), soup (hot or cold) and pasta salads mostly. Then toss in a piece of fruit and a biscuit.

 

9 - That's so true! I know 4 mom who don't work at all, including myself and we're all immigrants so have little additional support with childcare (although now that I think of it, two are studying part time now, one has a child with therapy appointments and the other is actually an expat in the country temporarily). And yes, I'm drumming into my daughter particularly to keep in mind that if she wants to stay home with kids one day a career that has part-time potential is something to keep in mind.

[Arcadia]

So what's with #1? Is it only Spanish? Is this something the kids were told, or you just noticed that those who were bilingual in the school admin had an easier time getting/keeping positions?

Bilingual is useful and spanish is useful in construction and healthcare. Locally, vietnamese, chinese, cantonese, japanese and many others are useful for healthcare though not required.

 

For my hubby's line of work, chinese is useful because of where manufacturing is. The China and Taiwan chinese can speak fluent english for work discussions but would switch to chinese among themselves.

 

It is useful but does not guarantee a job. For example my school district has a student population that is 1/3 hispanics/latinos but most of the school admin and teachers can't speak spanish. They just ask a latino teacher or parent volunteer to be translator when needed depending on privacy issues.