Stay at Home Moms in WA? (Seattle, Tacoma: daycare, how much, neighborhood)

[ness]

So...I saw something on the Seattle board that I found interesting. Someone was saying that most households have both parents working in order for people to afford living in Seattle. I have dreams about being able to stay home with my kids when they're little (not possible where I live now).

So...my question is....Any stay-at-home Moms out there and what is the situation like in your area of WA. I assume it would be quite lonely and boring to be the ONLY stay-at-home Mom on the block.

Ex: I'd love to hear "I live in (city) and I stay at home with my 2 kids (age 2 and 8). In our area a lot of Moms stay home and we take the kids to the park, etc."

[LAtoSeattleAnn]

I am a stay at home Mom in the North Bend/Snoqualmie area. I love it. There is always something going on around here to do. My kids are just getting into school (Kindergarten and 2nd grade) so I have a little time each day to myself too. The kids and I love to go to local parks, the zoo, museums, nature walks, day trips, etc. There is an indoor playground and other indoor/outdoor activity places here in the area for those with small kids. Our neighborhood has a lot of kids so there are lots of opportunities to play.

There are a lot of other stay at home Moms around here so there are other families to get together with (and friends for me). I have my own business out of my home so I also have that for a creative outlet. I think the secret is to stay busy and have things outside the home to do. Being in contact with community/church/friends/neighbors really makes a full life in raising happy children. That being said, I am a Mom who also enjoys having quiet time at home, just me and the kids.

I worked before I had kids and had a great career. It took getting used to being at home for me but I really enjoy it. It's like any new job - it takes some time to get used to it.

[ness]

thank you seattleAnn. I loved reading your post b/c your neighborhood sounds like just what I am looking for. DH may end up working close to Tacoma, so North Bend is probably too far north for us. But...I love to hear that there are places in WA like your community.

[jwb123]

I am the one who made the comment - and I was also a stay at home mom in the Seattle suburbs. With children, we lived in Redmond, Issaquah and Bothell. I wasn't the only one, by any means... but in comparison, now, living in a community where the cost of living is lower than the general Seattle area... there are more here, than I saw there.

Also, I know we aren't supposed to mention the Seattle freeze there - but it's very real, and just because you have a few Stay at home moms on your street, doesn't mean you will have instant best friends either.

You won't be the lone stay at home mom by any stretch of the imagination, but I would say that it's more common to find dual working parents than not.

One of the reasons we left the area was because we wanted to continue to live on one income with me being at home, but have a more comfortable lifestyle, money in savings etc.

[LAtoSeattleAnn]

Totally agreed there with Jenbar. I think me getting older and having my children get older has made me 'not care' about the Seattle freeze mentality. It's not high school so you don't have to have a zillion friends. I'd rather anyday to have a few really good friends, even if they aren't on my block. Same with my kids. I also think that if you are a friendly, good neighbor, nice person, that stuff comes back to you. It's like good karma breeding good karma.

[Balco9]

I personally know more stay at home dads than moms. Now in days a lot of women have higher incomes than their spouses. Anyways how could you be lonely and bored? Erspecially when you have two kids and if they go to school or daycare than you have some relaxing down time. Go for a run, go shopping, clean the home, work on your garden, go see a movie. I guess some people are not very independent.

[CityGirl72]

GUess it depends on how much your husband makes - mine is a teacher and I'm the big breadwinner - so I don't get to stay home.

There was an article in the Seattle Times recently, about family SAHM communities..I beleive it was Duvall - which I hear is VERY nice. I have A SAHM friend out in Duvall.

But you were thinking of Gig Harbor right? I think it's pretty good there too - my husband and I are looking into Gig Harbor, but all he keeps saying is "That's past Tacoma!!" (meaning a hell of a commute) but I hear it's a good family area too

I'll look for the seattle times article for you

[ness]

Originally Posted by Balco9

I personally know more stay at home dads than moms. Now in days a lot of women have higher incomes than their spouses. Anyways how could you be lonely and bored? Erspecially when you have two kids and if they go to school or daycare than you have some relaxing down time. Go for a run, go shopping, clean the home, work on your garden, go see a movie. I guess some people are not very independent.

I am very independent. But going to a movie on my own isn't really my cup of tea. And although I'm sure kids would keep me busy I need social interaction with others as well. Relaxing down time is all well and good but I'd like to have other stay at home Moms around so that we could spend some time together as grownups....even if it is only to share a quick cup of coffee or take the kids to the park.

[chris]

ness, if you're going to be living in the Peninsula area, check into MOPS. It might give you that outlet that you're looking for.

[ness]

thanks chris.