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Musings of a rookie stay@home mum

So I finally did what I think is the best thing for my kid and my family. Most, even my superiors, were supportive of the decision. A few people (female) said they were envious of my wonderful fortune to be able to stop work and stay home full time. Others (and this blog is named in their honour!) were envious that I would now be so 'free' and would be leading a tai-tai life. And I just know what they will say when they know about this blog: 'wah, so free ah?'

Hey, I'm no tai-tai, ok? First, I'm not married to a rich man. That's the end of the story, actually...

I have no maid, I mind the house, mind the son, wait in the hot sun at his school gate, etc. Despite reminding people of this, I suspect some of them still have visions of me lounging in front of the telly all day or going for regular high teas or something.

Another reaction to the idea of me leaving the working world was 'what a waste!' I'm not sure what people meant by that. What a waste of your wonderful talent? (ahem, ahem) What a waste of your years of education? What a waste of human resource in human-resource-scarce Singapore? (Look, I know I'm not indispensable) What a waste of your time -- you are going to be whiling away your time doing nothing of great significance? Aren't you going to contribute to society? Even my grandma said I shouldn't stop working.

I don't really know what it is I'm wasting and I'm sure I'm still contributing. One doesn't have to be in the workplace to contribute. Besides, someone has to do all the things that have to be done for the family and home. Should I go back to work in order to create jobs for maids, before-and-after-school-care centres, school bus drivers, food court operators, etc?

All this said, it's one of the BESTEST decisions I've ever made. No regrets. Though I would truly love to have lots of money without working. How, ah?
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Ivan Chew said…
"Having lots of money without working"... I believe the solution is to Dream On! LOL. But seriously, I think it's not so much about working or not, but making productive use of your time. Parenting is productive, in my view.
11:50 pm
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