Being a "stay-at-home mom" is by no means related to the term "non-working," in any way, shape, or form! In fact, mothers who choose to stay home have one of the most demanding and important jobs in today's society. This is a career that requires seven, on-call 24 hour shifts, each and every week, 52 weeks a year.
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The world's stereotypical image of the "stay-at-home mom" is a woman sitting on her sofa, eating bonbons and watching soap operas all day. The real truth is that the job of raising children never ends. It's not a job where you get to leave work at the office, or clock out after an 8-hour shift. There are always things needing attention, such as: meals that need preparing or cleaning up from, mountains of laundry to wash, dry, and put away, a home that needs constant cleaning, doctor visits, soccer practice, and grocery shopping - just to name a few.
Full-time mothers get the first call when volunteers are needed for any school function, field-trip or fundraiser. If you choose to be a full-time mom, you probably won't be home very much. You will find yourself organizing trips, running bake-sales and driving children whose parents are stuck at work to museums. You put in all the work of "working parents" without the paychecks or the breaks.
The rewards of participating in, and the impact on your children's learning, development, and values is priceless. Raising children as a full-time mom is a career that requires a multitude of skills, including patience, wisdom, and thinking quickly on your feet. All are key elements of successful parenting. Another "perk" to staying at home to raise your children is that your parenting guilt level is greatly reduced. You'll never have to question the quality of your child's care, or if you are spending enough "quality" time with them.
Do you get sick days or vacation time? For most full-time, those benefits are not an option, unless you physically cannot get out of bed or are fortunate enough to have hired help or help from a loving spouse, relative, or close friend. Your work needs to be accomplished so the household doesn't fall apart. Even when you're sick, it's business as usual.
If you are or are considering being a full-time mom, give yourself a pat on the back and a whole lot of credit. When you calculate just how much it would cost your family to hire someone to do all that, you do, you realize just how valuable choosing to be a stay-at-home mom can be to your family!
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Tara on 10/26/2009 11:00:21 AM
I stay home with my beautiful 16 month old daughter and am so blessed to do so. I have taught her everything, seen every milestone, and take great pride in the intelligent, friendly, amazing little person that she is turning out to be. I wish every woman had the opportunity that I have to stay with their little ones. It truly is something special. I also have the privelege of helping a friend, and watching her little lady 3 days a week, while she works. I;ve also felt fortunate to be able to give her the peace of mind that her little girl is in a loving home environment each day. Our girls are best of friends and miss eachother when they are apart. Its making for perfect big sisters someday!
zulma on 10/26/2009 8:23:01 AM
i'm a stay-@-home mom and i luv it. i have a 3yr old and a 6wk old and there is no way i could leave them
violet hogan on 9/12/2009 6:55:28 AM
i have a 3 1/2 year old boy and a 9month old baby girl my 3 year old went to babysitter and now i am at home with my 9month old i could tell the difference between someone else taking care of my baby my litlle girl started walking at 8 months now she walks as if she is a 1 year old my son walked at 10 months at the same age my son only weighed 15 pounds my daugther weighs 18 1/2 pounds at that age. Well for the person who want to know how to potty train for me i trained my boy when he was 18months but when his sister came he wanted to be changed like a baby again so it took me at about 3 months to retrain a gain what i did was put him there after every 2 hours and told him that if he didn't go or tell mommy that he nedded to go he will not get his snack take away something you will see him do it something that he really likes. For those who says stay home moms watch tv my husband taught so at first so one day i left him with just our son then he said i dont know how you do it stay home is hard work doing everything and not getting any help makes you tired not to talk of when the baby is teething. i enjoy my babies i teach my son at home that the sister even says 1 and 9 and M I watch my baby girl do different things every day it makes me happy they like to play together and my baby when we go out where they are other kids she will go to other kids but she make sure she goes back to his brother. i love every minute of it i thank god for them evry day i want one more but their my husband says he is done good luck to all of the mothers
Nichole on 9/8/2009 9:01:02 PM
I am a mother again after 14 years. With my first son, I was single and unable to stay home with him. I was fortunate enough not to miss too many things, but I was completely worn out working full time and being the 'good mom' I had dreamed of being. Now I am married and have a 2-1/2 year old and a 10-month old. I am fortunate enough to have a husband who is very supportive and works diligently to allow me to stay home with the kids. It is more work than I ever thought, but it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done with my life. I get to see everything, and be the one who is the most influential in my children's lives. My husband is a blessing, because no matter how long he works in a day, he still comes home and plays with the babies and helps get them ready for bed. He even schedules breaks for me to go grocery shopping by myself, or even get a pedi or have lunch with my girlfriends (not often, but just when I need it to keep my sanity!!) :) I am extremely blessed beyond measure, and treasure every moment (even the not so pleasant ones) with my kiddos. We struggle financially, and don't have a lot of luxuries, but thanks to God, we have everything we need. Now - can someone tell me how to potty train a stubborn 2-year old boy??!! :) LOL
Rachel on 9/6/2009 4:07:54 PM
The economy has forced me to be a stay at home mom, and I couldn't be more grateful to God! I would not have chosen this on my own because it is such a struggle finicially, but it has been worth it. And it is so hard, because you are on the job 24-7. My husband does believe, however, that he doesn't need to help me like he did with the first one, because I am home all day. I push he to help out during the weekend, and evenings though. He still needs the time to bond with the new little one, and I do need a break so I can stay up on my moods and be able to care for my family with energy and cheerfulness.
stephanie on 9/3/2009 10:49:55 PM
i wish with all my heart that i could be a stay at home mom but don't have the finances to do so. those that are fortunate to be a stay at home parent are very fortunate :)
holly on 8/21/2009 7:56:49 AM
i love spending time with my 21/2 year old and 9 month old. make each othe laugh and smile is my goal in makeing them both happy.
jennifer on 8/19/2009 3:04:09 PM
I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so thankful to spend every waking minute with my 9 mth old babyboy. I wouldn't want to miss a minute of his life and I believe that no one is a better teacher, caregiver, etc. than the mother.That's why we are their "mothers" = to give our all intio making them as happy as they have made us!!! God Bless each and every mother whi take on staying at home with their lil' nes...You won't regret it as if you would if you were to decide to go back to work.
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