Dream Job: Stay-At-Home Mom

Salary.com ^ | unknown | Regina O'Brien

[sageb1]

So why do thousands of career women nationwide opt to put their careers and salary-earning potential on the back burner to stay home to care for their children?

A Labor of Love

"I had zero experience taking care of children before I had my own," said Laura Mercer, mother of two boys and professional stay-at-home mom outside of Las Vegas, Nev. "Being a career woman most of my adult life, the thought of being a stay-at-home mom didn't even occur to me."

[sageb1]

"Not to argue, but it seems to me the same thing could happen even if a woman worked outside the home. If we were relying on two incomes, he could run off with the secretary tomorrow and I'd still be screwed (although, he'd be dead, lol) Life is full of "what ifs" and you can never be fully prepared to deal with every scenario."

You have a point, but the wife/mom who worked outside the home would have current job experience. If we're trying to encourage moms to stay home to raise their own children, then maybe men have to be prepared give up all kinds of "toys." Besides, the ones that breathe are more expensive.

[Oniolover]

Again, it doesn't have to be the woman who stays at home. My mom stayed at home for a while then my dad did. In my opinion my father is much better at parenting than my mom and it was a smart move on their part. It depends on who makes more money and has more patience.

[nodumbblonde]

Absolutely! EVERYONE has to make some sacrifices in order for it to work. :)

I guess I'm just not prepared to turn the rearing of my children, who are the most important people in my life, over to strangers because my husband *might* die or become disabled.

(I guess I'd better hold my breath and hope we get a cuter mailman.) ;D

[Alia]

Kewl. We're on the same page, sageb1. :)

[SauronOfMordor]

And this is a good thing?

Not for you and me. I just pointed out why some govt bureaucrats would like it

[iconoclast]

"Wait...I thought our culture had been preaching, for years, that women who stay at home are forced into slavery...that they'd really prefer to be out in the workforce, taking their children to Day Care...."

My first wife divorced me back in the feminist heydays of the mid eighties.

One of her gripes was that I had deprived her of a career!

She had no high school diploma.

[GraceCoolidge]

Hmmm... the feminists have been proposing a "wage" for women who "chose" to stay home and raise their young. They've been proposing this for years. I just don't happen to agree with it: Once this happens, should it occur? There's gonna be BIG GOVERNMENT invading once again, a private home. Regulations to the max. Will "licenses" to parent be next? Just say "no."

Why don't they just cut taxes instead? Answer: because letting you keep your own money gives you too much control over it. Much better for the government to take the money away and then dole it out as they see best.

[grellis]

I just recently returned to work, nightshift waitressing. The only difference for my kids has been that Daddy tucks them in a little more. I only work three nights a week, so the number of nights I am at home outnumbers those I work. Terrible sentence, I know, all you grammar police out there! I'm a bit more tired than I was but nothing I can't handle. I'm fortunate that it is a job I don't have to have--the extra income is nice, we're using it to pay off our home equity loan early, but it is not necessary. The minute I begin to think my family is suffering from my working, I'll quit.

[grellis]

I doubt if I will return to work full time when my youngest is in school, so I guess I will be a stay at home wife. I am looking forward to returning to volunteer work, something I really miss.

"Wifery"--archaic, yes, but a word. I think people nowadays call it "homemaking." At least, that's what I call it. It is what I do, and it is a job I take seriously.

[frogjerk]

A new developing child needs a mother in those tender years.

And a Father.

[grellis]

I have received some flack from people who think it means I must be lazy.

That goes for SAHMs as well as wives. It is a trap of thought, and it is one that I believe drives many new mothers back into the workforce when, in their hearts, they would rather be at home with the kids.

After my fist was born, I was all set to go back to work full time after 12 weeks partially-paid maternity leave. It wasn't the need for $$, I just thought, "Well, if hubby is going to be working 50 hours a week, I've got to do something." I didn't go back to work, but I felt tremendous guilt for not doing so. Then, I realized--homemaking and raising kids is a job, and I had to start thinking of it as such. I don't get a paycheck for homemaking, but I keep my house spick and span, I make the meals, I look after the finances, I do the laundry, I help with the homework, I keep the car in running order, I am active in the community. I do more work now then I ever did in my former career (retail management).

The $600,000/year CEO cited earlier on the thread couldn't handle my job!!!

[bearsgirl90]

Based on a 100-hour work week, Salary.com has estimated that a fair wage for the typical stay-at-home mom would be $131,471 for executing all of her daily tasks.

WOW! Where do I sign up?? LOL And, does that include me schooling my 2 children for 6 hours a day??
Thanks for the "bump", TG. It's amazing that when I am confronted by those who oppose home schooling, the "socialization" issue is theonly argument they throw at me. And, of course, I feel so horrible because my children are being deprived of so many "positive" influences they could be faced with if they were in ps. /sarcasm

[tiredoflaundry]

The $600,000/year CEO cited earlier on the thread couldn't handle my job!!!

You got that right!

[Alia]

Why don't they just cut taxes instead? Answer: because letting you keep your own money gives you too much control over it. Much better for the government to take the money away and then dole it out as they see best

You miss not a thing, GraceCoolidge. Really tears at the feminist mantra of "choice", no?

[sissyjane]

My hubby tried that with me, but we did okay on his salary, and I wanted to be home with the boys.

We may not have gone on cruises, etc. ,but I was very happy staying home, and the kids turned out good.

[sissyjane]

>>I always wondered if I'd go nuts when my husband retired. I'll let you know. lol! (It's a joke, guys)<<

From the voice of experience....Nuts is a good word for it !!!!

[LaineyDee]

Good for you! Nowadays it takes a second income to move forward. The BEST scenario is if we didn't have to do it... but there are creative ways to get around things if we try. *chuckle* I wouldn't dream of hiring a nanny to raise my kids...like some I know.....for it defeats the purpose of being a parent at all.