Stay-at-home moms have a tough job. They have a lot of things to take care of. They don’t get paid for the hard work they do, but the benefits are priceless.
They are taking care of their children’s physical needs and emotional needs, keeping the house clean and organized, doing chores such as laundry, preparing meals, and much more. The list goes on and on.
According to Pew Research 1 in every 5 fathers and mothers are stay-at-home parents. Of those who work, many don’t have any other option but to be the primary earner for the family, even if it means their spouse has to leave behind a career to look after their children.
Stay-at-Home Parent Benefits
There are many benefits to being a stay-at-home parent. Here are some of the biggest benefits that come with being a stay-at-home mom or dad:
Stress levels
Daycare can be a stressful place. Kids get sick, they have problems with other kids, and they can get overwhelmed by the experience. When you are home, you can help your kids develop in a more gentle way.
They don’t have to worry about being bullied or left out, and you can work on their individual needs as they arise.
Decreased childcare expenses
The cost of daycare is enormous and up 29% of income in the USA is spent on childcare. Even if you send your child to a community daycare center, it’s still possible to spend $500 a month or more on childcare costs.
This is money that could be better spent elsewhere, such as paying off debt or building up an emergency fund. When you stay at home with your kids, you can save the money that would otherwise be spent on daycare.
Spend more time with the family
The main benefit of being a stay-at-home mom is that she can spend more time with her children, as well as her husband. This allows them to develop a strong family bond, which means that they will grow up together and be able to share their emotions.
The advantage of this is that even if your children grow up, they will still be close to you and the whole family.
It’s important for children to feel connected to their parents and siblings and when you’re spending at least 40 hours per week at work, it’s hard to ensure that this connection stays strong.
Save money
Another important benefit of being a stay-at-home mom is that she can save money. Most families are looking for ways in which they can save money and this is one of the easiest ones.
The benefit is that you will be able to use this money for other expenses or investments, so you will not have to worry about your bank account.,
Prevent more stress
Another important advantage of being a stay-at-home mom is that you will be able to prevent additional stress.
Although the job may seem stressful sometimes, it is much better than working outside the home, where you have to deal with traffic jams and so on.
You have a routine
You are able to create your own schedule and routine. With the ability to schedule your day in a way that works for you, you can get things done more efficiently.
By getting things done more efficiently, you will have time to do the things that you love.
Free from job stress
When you are a stay-at-home parent, you do not have the stress of going to work every day. You do not need to worry about meeting deadlines or office politics.
More leisure time
With both parents working in a household, it is common for them to feel that they do not have enough family time to spend together. A stay-at-home mom can enjoy the luxury of being able to spend more time with her children and husband.
More time for your children
You are able to give your children your undivided attention. You will not miss out on any important milestones in their lives. The fact that you are there with them will give them the stability they need during this important time in their lives.
Also, when they get older and move away, they will have great memories of their childhood and know how much you cared about them.
Kid improved academic performance
Kids who spend more time with their parents tend to perform better academically than their peers who are mostly left on their own due to busy parents.
This can be attributed to the fact that the parent not only has the opportunity and time to help the child learn and improve his or her academic performance but also has a vested interest in doing so. In such cases, children are rarely left on their own to study.
Fewer bad behavior with kids
Children of stay-at-home moms often exhibit fewer behavior problems than children of working moms.
There is research evidence that suggests that children whose parents work full-time have a higher incidence of alcohol use, drug use, and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as an increased likelihood of running away from home and displaying criminal behaviors.
This is possible because such children often do not get sufficient attention from their parents and become rebellious or depressed as a result.
Stay at Home Parent Disadvantages
Miss working
Many women go from working outside of the home to staying at home full-time with children, and it can take some time to get used to the change.
You might miss your co-workers and have adult interaction throughout the day.
Sometimes it can be difficult finding other moms who have similar interests as you do.
You are exhausted physically
Being a stay-at-home mother is one of the most physically demanding jobs there is because it requires 24/7 availability to your children’s needs. As far as your children know, you never get tired or need a break.
Not your children’s everything
When you are a stay-at-home parent, you are giving up your career and devoting all of your time to raising your children. This can be very rewarding, but it can also be a burden. You lose the ability to separate yourself from your children because they are always there.
You will no longer have time for yourself or any hobbies or interests that you may have. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it is something to consider before you make the decision to become a stay-at-home parent.
You depend on another person
If you are married and plan on being a stay-at-home parent, you should make sure that you have completed all of the legal steps necessary with regards to wills and trusts so that you and your children will be taken care of in case something should happen to your spouse.
As a stay-at-home parent, you do not have an income of your own, so if something should happen to the person who is supporting you financially, you and your children could end up in financial trouble.
Because of this, it is important that both parties complete the necessary legal steps before making the decision to become a stay-at-home parent.
Stress
In the movies, life as a stay-at-home parent is beautiful. There are no problems, and everything is fun and games. In reality, being a stay-at-home parent is hard.
You are constantly on your toes; you don’t get a break and you have to be at the top of your game all of the time. The stress is endless and can take a toll on your mind as well as your body.
Feel isolated
Staying at home with kids can make you feel isolated from the world. As much as staying at home may be beneficial for some children, it can become very lonely for parents who previously had careers or spent a lot of time volunteering or in other social situations.
Your child will eventually grow up and start school, but if you have spent years out of the workforce, it will be difficult to re-enter it when that time comes.
Final Words
Just remember that staying at home is not a drag. It’s fun! You get to know your kids better because, even if you have some assistance with childcare and such, you’re there. You’ll see this major change make a positive effect in the long run for your kids. Don’t be afraid to enjoy it.
