Comments on: Stay at home moms was your decision to stay home a good one?

By: Amy K

Amy K — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:38:26 +0000

I have stayed home with my children for ten wonderful years (since I was only 19)! It has truly been a blessing! My daughter, the youngest, is going into first grade this fall and I am finally thinking of going to work.

If you can stay home and raise your child, you need to do so. Why pay a Nanny to raise your child? They have a lot of influence on kids, and some bond better with the children than the parents do. I would NEVER risk that.

Just do whatever works for you and your husband. Congratulations! Best of luck in your decision.

By: Leighsah

Leighsah — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:03:13 +0000

To best answer that question all you have to do is think of who would be raising your child if you were to work,because it definately wouldn’t be you!

By: luckymomof3girlz

luckymomof3girlz — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:20:45 +0000

I am currently a Stay at Home mom to three wonderful little girls. I have actually been on both ends of the spectrum. Although I have no degree, I did have a very well paying job that I decided to leave. I was able to stay home with my first child until she was 2 and then returned to work. With my second I actually went back to work once she was 6 weeks old. I successfully breastfed her until she was 9 mos old, but if I has to do it all over again, I would have chosen to stay home. By the time my third daughter was born, I decided being a mom was far more important than working. I have now been home for 2 yrs and absolutely love it. I get to be involved in everything my kids do. My oldest daughter competition dances, I am on the PTA and my second daughter just started dancing this year too. I am active in playgroups and get to just enjoy every moment with my kids. Best of all, there is not boss to answer to and no work schedule that I have to try to plan around. Once all of my kids are in school I will look for work part time to keep myself busy, but even then I do not intend on working full time, unless I absolutely have to. Your kids are only kids once and I intend on being as involved with each of them as much as I can for as long as I can.

So to answer your questions….yes deciding to be a stay at home mom was a GREAT decision…the best one I have ever made!

By: Sandra D

Sandra D — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:40:59 +0000

Absolutely however I have no regrets the worst day at home is ten times better then working for someone else and letting someone else raise my children. It really is a personal decision some women are not happy at home which reflects on the children’s happiness so in the end it may not be best for them but I would have it no other way. I can honestly tell the difference between children that have a parent staying home and those in daycare though a nanny might be different because she is giving them her undivided attention as a mom would not in a group setting all the time.
I did start my own business with Mary Kay so I am able to have something else that fit into my schedule and allows me to be someone other then Mom.

By: slumberpartiesgirl27

slumberpartiesgirl27 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:04:38 +0000

I think it was a fantastic decision for now. Child care costs are rediculous and is just not feasible. II own my own biz from home so that allows me to watch my son grow up as well as get out of the house when I need to do “work”. It is a great balance and I thank my husband for it everyday.

By: thecarrs

thecarrs — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:04:14 +0000

This is one of those areas where ultimately, it’s what works for you that is right answer.

But, just my humble opinion, stay at home til junior is in kindergarden. Once the munchkins are in school all day + have gymnastics, soccer, etc after school, then the fact you’re at work all day doesn’t really make your absence seem like such a void.

Those first few years though… they grow so fast and do all their firsts… If you can afford to stay home, at least try it. If it’s not for you, then go back to work.

Consider yourself extremely lucky to have the option to do whatever you want. Most people either can’t afford to stay home and some can’t afford to work (after enough kids, daycare costs would be too great). So at least give it a shot. And if you feel like you really need more adult interaction, just hire a p/t nanny so you have a day or two a week to yourself to catch up with friends, etc.

As for me, I’m a SAHM for the most part. I used to work all day and teach p/t at night at the local university. After my daughter was born, I just stopped working full time during the day and started teaching full time. The majority of the work can be done at home (grading, course website, responding to student emails, etc) so I only need to hire a nanny part time. I get to spend most of my time with my daughter but at the same time I still get to use my degrees (b.s. plus two graduate degrees) which is important to me too.

By: Michelle F

Michelle F — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:47:17 +0000

I have been staying at home for 6 months now, and its not for me. I’ve always been a working mother, but I got laid off and we ended up moving for my husbands job. Now that we are here i’m getting ready to start college, and not a minute too soon. I love my kids but my husband works long hours and I’m thinking its not healthy to only interact with children for 12 hours a day. I was much more productive when I was working, and my children enjoyed getting out of the house as well.

By: happymama

happymama — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:55:38 +0000

Definitely! I love being a stay at home mom. It took me 7 years to have my first baby, so I really wanted to enjoy every moment once she arrived. I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to have children. Now I have 2 girls, 5 and 2. And I love being with them. I actually babysit a little to make extra money. The money (or lack thereof) was the only drawback to staying home for me. But we have just sacrificed some things like driving used cars and living in an older house for now. We can always upgrade those things later when I go back to work.

Congratulations and good luck to you!

By: Sara B

Sara B — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:40:35 +0000

I don’t know about your situation. I was a teacher, so it won’t be too hard to get caught back up and keep my license current. I can only tell you from my experience. I don’t regret my decision. I have a toddler and a baby, and I have been blessed to get to stay home. It is not easy, and my husband and I have had to sacrifice, but the flexibility is great and I really enjoy the challenge. Except for bad teething days, it is much less stressful than my old job. Plus, if you are able to find supportive friends, like through a group of friends or through an organization, like MOPS, then it makes it much easier on yourself. Another good thing about it, is when you are gone, you don’t feel guilty. Most people I know have to work, and they do okay, but they always wish they had more time with their kids.

By: Mom

Mom — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:55:20 +0000

I’ve been a stay at home mom for 7 years now, and I don’t regret it one bit. I feel very fortuneate I’ve had the choice. I have three kids, and I love being involved in all parts of their lives. Seeing every moment of it. While they were babies it is tough, but looking back its such a short time, and so special.

I am in no way bashing working moms by saying this. But
I’ve never heard a stay at home mom say she regrets staying home, she wished she worked more. I have heard working moms say they wished they were home more, they regret missing all the “little moments” in their child’s life.

Congrats on your pregnancy!