I dont really like to post all about my personal life on such a public forum... but I am just curious to know if any other women out there are doing what I have been doing for the last year.
First of all, my husband is the love of my life. We have been together for almost 20 years, married for 14. We had our children very very young. They are now 10 and 14. My husband quit school in the 11th grade and went to work. His parents were very poor and part of the reasoning for quitting school was that he needed to be able to support himself. I insisted he at least get his G.E.D., before we got married, which he did. We had a rough start, but we made it. I went back to school for ultrasound after our 2nd daughter was born while working 3 jobs so I could get a better job so we didnt have to struggle so much. (My job before was low wage, while his was decent) It really paid off.
My husband worked for the same company for 15 years building tractors. Over the years, he worked his way up the ladder, and became manager over several assembly lines. He put in a lot of long hours, and made life-long friends there. We were so fortunate for him to have a good paying job. Then.... the economy tanked, and he was laid off last year. Needless to say, it was devastating for him, not only financially for us, but on a personal level for him, as well.
We soon found out it is very difficult to find a similiar paying job without an education. All the openings posted have already been filled by the time the ink hits the paper. So, we decided he needed to get an education, or we would both be working 2nd and 3rd jobs for the rest of our lives just to make ends meet. Thankfully, I have a really good job, and I have the ability to make a lot of extra money by taking call and working overtime. So, we decided I would work extra to keep us afloat while he gets his degree. And that is what we have done for over a year now.
I have really tried hard to be sensitive to him, and how it must feel for him to have lost his job and miss his friends. Plus it was a really hard adjustment for him to go back to school. He has to really work hard at it, as school has never been his thing... but he's doing well. He will graduate in March, and the market around here for what hes going to school for is really good. In fact, some of the only openings we see in the paper in our area, is for his degree. So I am very hopeful there is an end in site.
BUT- I think it is finally taking its toll on me. I am absolutely exhausted. I feel like I work 24/7. I never get to see my kids. He always gets to take them to their practices, and games. He gets to see them off to school. He cooks a lot. He does everything for them, and I just feel.... like I am here for the paycheck. Sometimes it makes me feel so sad to miss out on everything. And I am afraid a little part of me is beginning to resent him
I know he didnt ask for this to happen, and we made this decision TOGETHER, I just cant help feeling "slighted" lately. I am trying to be strong, and trying not to complain... but I just wondered if any other women are supporting their families right now due to the economy, and how are you coping? Do you think we made the right decision?
First of all, my husband is the love of my life. We have been together for almost 20 years, married for 14. We had our children very very young. They are now 10 and 14. My husband quit school in the 11th grade and went to work. His parents were very poor and part of the reasoning for quitting school was that he needed to be able to support himself. I insisted he at least get his G.E.D., before we got married, which he did. We had a rough start, but we made it. I went back to school for ultrasound after our 2nd daughter was born while working 3 jobs so I could get a better job so we didnt have to struggle so much. (My job before was low wage, while his was decent) It really paid off.
My husband worked for the same company for 15 years building tractors. Over the years, he worked his way up the ladder, and became manager over several assembly lines. He put in a lot of long hours, and made life-long friends there. We were so fortunate for him to have a good paying job. Then.... the economy tanked, and he was laid off last year. Needless to say, it was devastating for him, not only financially for us, but on a personal level for him, as well.
We soon found out it is very difficult to find a similiar paying job without an education. All the openings posted have already been filled by the time the ink hits the paper. So, we decided he needed to get an education, or we would both be working 2nd and 3rd jobs for the rest of our lives just to make ends meet. Thankfully, I have a really good job, and I have the ability to make a lot of extra money by taking call and working overtime. So, we decided I would work extra to keep us afloat while he gets his degree. And that is what we have done for over a year now.
I have really tried hard to be sensitive to him, and how it must feel for him to have lost his job and miss his friends. Plus it was a really hard adjustment for him to go back to school. He has to really work hard at it, as school has never been his thing... but he's doing well. He will graduate in March, and the market around here for what hes going to school for is really good. In fact, some of the only openings we see in the paper in our area, is for his degree. So I am very hopeful there is an end in site.
BUT- I think it is finally taking its toll on me. I am absolutely exhausted. I feel like I work 24/7. I never get to see my kids. He always gets to take them to their practices, and games. He gets to see them off to school. He cooks a lot. He does everything for them, and I just feel.... like I am here for the paycheck. Sometimes it makes me feel so sad to miss out on everything. And I am afraid a little part of me is beginning to resent him
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