Stay at Home Vs. Working Moms

Oh I hear you, the decision for us was a real back and forth battle but we finally decided that I would stay home. It was a big adjustment for me as I had worked since age 16 and am now 31 but well worth it. If money is what is the hold up I highly recommend a book called The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It has helped us in the finance department more that I can even say! I will say for me staying home was the best decision of my life :)

I went back to work when my children were old enough to attend school. I thought it was time for me. I was sadly mistaken.I have four boys and everyday we had a new situation. We would rush everynight with homework, dinner and bedtime. I missed out on a lot of things with my children. After 2 years, I gave up my career and became a stay at home mom. I got rid of some debt so that I would not leave a strain for my husband. I realized that I only have one chance with my children. One day they will be gone and I can start my career again. This past year I had two friends that lost their 22 yr. old sons to some sort of accident. It really makes you think...Money and careers can wait. My children are a gift and my responsibilty. They are precious and each moment spent with them is a wonderful memory made. Hope this helps!

Hi Y.,

I could help you stay at home and make money!!! I hear what you are saying. I was longing to actually be a mom, and stay home with my kids, but because of our financial situation, I needed some kind of income! I found a great team!!

If you would like more information visit www.formyrugrats.com or email me at ____@____.com. I would love to help change your life, like mine has been changed!!

Have a blessed day!!

I took a year long leave of absence from my job after my daugher was born to determine a couple of things. First, was I cut out to be a stay at home mom (I had a very intense career and have an MBA....I'm pretty driven and didn't know if it would work for me)? The other thing was to see if we could make it financially since I gave up a nearly 6 figure income to stay at home. It's now over 2 years later and I'm still at home and wouldn't have it any other way. I really loved my job at the time I quit and thought I would miss it more, but I love being home so much more. I have my daughter in a Mom's Day Out program 2 days per week now that she's older and we are also part of a play group, go to bible study once per week and she is in a tumbling class, so we stay plenty busy! If you do decide to stay at home, you have to find these opportunities to get you both out of the house and socialize. I am pregnant with #2 due in about 7 weeks. I am thrilled to be able to be at home with them. As long as you can afford to do it (definitely calculate how much you actually bring home after gas, wardrobe, dry cleaning, daycare, etc. to see if it's even worth it), I would highly recommend it. Best of luck in your decision!

It was very hard giving up my job...I LOVED it and it cut our income in half...I also, have a Master's degree and questioned all my schooling to "stay at home".

But three years later is it so worth it...my children are happy and well adjusted...I am watching them grow and learn (getting to be the teacher)...I can go back to work later.

If you decide to have another child like we did...the money working barely covers child care, so it wasn't much of a point.

I hope you end up making the right decision for you...{{{hugs}}}

Y., I did the same thing. I went back to work after the baby and worked 3 months and I just couldn't bear the thought of someone else (although it was my own mother) taking care of my baby. Since she was my first, I wanted the full experience so I quit my job, much to my husband's disagreement. I had to put my foot down about that one b/c babies are little for only so long, so it was worth it to lose my income. I made 40K a year, and it wasn't worth it to me, considering all the expenses of daycare. Here it is one year later, my husband is just now supporting the idea of me being at home, but now I am ready to go back to work and also leave my husband. You can laugh at that one, it sounds ridiculous to me too that a man wouldn't want his wife to take care of his baby is beyond me, but I digress. You are so blessed to have a supportive husband and one who backs you no matter what you want to do. I encourage you to stay home, I've been home with my little one for over 6 months, and am not fully ready to go back, but now she's turning 1 it's easier to see she'll be ok without me all the time. You won't regret leaving the job you don't even love, but you might regret not having the time with your kids. You can always find any old job any day, but the time you miss well is pretty invaluable and you can't get that back! Hope this helps you and good luck to you!!

I understand what you are going through. I have been there. I now work from my home as a customer service representative. I am not making the same type of money I was making when I worked outside of the home. I sometimes feel like I am cheating my family and myself from the things we could have should both me and husband work. But I know that I am doing a good thing by giving my son me. Do what you think is best for you. With my first child, I did not have that option. I am thankful and greatful that I do with my second. Take care.

Like all these other woman have said... HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS... I prayed so hard for something different and then said OH NO GOD please dont let it be network marketing.. BUT it was a blessing I am on my second white mercedes... makeing between 5-7000 a month .... it is NOT something i saw myself dong but if you get the right company... and the right team... you will LOVE it for you and your family.... let me know and i will send you some information ____@____.com .... good luck L. from Gainesville Texas

I totally know how you feel! I felt the same way when I had to go to work and put my oldest son (then 11 mos) in daycare. I was blessed to be able to stay home with him full time until 11 months, but then we moved here from Alabama and I had to work to make ends meet.

It was incredibly h*** o* me and not at all what I wanted for my baby. I did some soul searching (and googling LOL) and decided that working from home was my best bet. I was able to quit my job and stay home with him! Now we have 2 boys and I am making more from home than I was making at my job and it's my business. I'm not sure how I ever functioned any other way!

I'll be happy to share with you about my business if you are looking for a business. I wish you health, wealth, and happiness!

M. Dawodi

I stayed hoem for three months then went back to work part time for three months and then moved and have become a stay at hoem mom.

I missed working so I am doing a little freelance BUT I if you can stay home it's great. I understand both sides of the coin. I think when you are working you get more down time (no kiddie on your leg) but you miss out on some of the small stuff. It's those little things I am getting to do and see that mean so much to me.

Whatever you do is okay. She will be okay with whatever you decide. If you stay home. Join a Mom's group and get a regular playdate on your calendar. You will find that it is really great. I am a member of NAMC (North Austin Mother Club) and I like having the ability to chat with other women who are in the same space. Similar to this site but with coffee and bagles!

Good luck.

Y.,
If you dislike your job that much, it isn't worth missing your child's developments. You will always regret your decision to not be at home w/her, even if it is something you choose to do temporarily or until she goes to school.

I bet you aren't making as much as you think you are when you consider all the expenses of childcare, transportation to work, clothes, eating out.... I know I did the numbers and if I only made $200-300 month and stayed home, it was about the same as working full time and paying for childcare. I have 5 kids really close in age. I have found other ways of making $$ from home which has helped out my husband (and me). If you want any ideas, let me know. I have tried MANY different things. I have never been happier than what I am doing now.

Blessings,
M.
Mom to 5 Wonderful Kids
www.4MyChildrenSake.com
Attitudes are contagious;is yours worth catching?

When I left work when I had my daughter, I had to make a decision on whether or not to go back. What helped me a lot was calculating how much I was making versus my work expenses. If you decide to do this, the answer may surprise you. Here's some things you can include in your expenses:

-day care
-eating out
-dry cleaning (if you have to dress nice for your job)
-gas to and from work
-anything else you spend money on for work!

We found out I'd be making a whopping $70/month after expenses, and it was SO not worth it to spend that long away from my daughter. Also, could your budget take losing that income, if you do bring home much more than your expenses? Some families choose to make this sacrifice and live simpler in order to allow Mom to stay home.

After 5 years of staying at home, I started teaching music lessons from home to earn extra money. I'm still not working out of the home, so I don't have any expenses other than a babysitter when my husband has to work late. Choosing something you can do from home to make money can be a compromise that will lighten the burden of quitting altogether. I also run an Ignite business, switching electric accounts to Stream energy. Something direct-selling/network marketing can be fun, or you can find your niche elsewhere based on your talents or the needs of your community.

I hope you can make your decision and have a sense of peace about it! Let us know what you decide!

I've done both and staying at home is tough and lonely at times but very rewarding. Working made me feel a bit guilty at times. I think whatever feels right for you. As Moms we just try and do the best we know how and sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect. Let go some of that and it's a bit freeing. Good luck to you. Maybe you can do a partime job or something in a school district where you get Summers and extended holidays.

Y.,

Whatever decision you make you must make it for yourself. I am a mom of four and a granny of a 9 year old grandson. I am a stay at home mom with my own business that I work from my home and I am able to work around my family's schedule.

You will have to decide what your priorties are and see if it is in your best interests to work while your precious angel is so young. Can you live off of your husband's income? Does your income go to day care expenses and leave you with little or nothing left over? Do you want someone else raising your precious little gift from God?

I made the choice long ago to stay home with my children until they were of school age. I didn't want my children to be raised by anyone else but me. I made a lot of sacrifices but it was worth it in the long run. I lost my job last year and I am now caring for my 9 year old grandson after school. It was important to spend time with my children during their formative years and now I feel as if God is allowing me to spend time with my grandson. I dont' have as much stress as I did when I was working and my priorities have changed for the better.

Pray about it God will show you what is best for you and your family. Be still and listen with your heart. YOu will have the answer that you are searching for. Children are precious gifts from God and they are only ours for such a short while. Cherish that time. You can never recapture it!

Many blessings!

M. Alexander
www.MyFamCounts.com