While being a stay-at-home mom might be restrictive in certain ways, it also comes with extremely appealing benefits. Here are ten of the most exciting and undeniable perks of choosing to stay at home with children.
1. You have scheduling freedom
Setting aside the constraints associated with schooling and other necessary activities, you will be free to structure your days as you see fit. This autonomy allows you to pack plenty of tasks into one day and yet spend the bulk of another day relaxing. Meanwhile, people in traditional jobs have a relatively limited amount of time to call their own.
2. You have increased involvement in child development
Being a stay-at-home mom means that you are on the “front lines” of any child’s development and have more chances to shape the way they grow. Parents with a hectic work schedule often complain that they miss developmental milestones or feel that their children are more influenced by the values of their teachers.
3. You can still have an income
Stay-at-home moms do not have to give up work, and many moms opt to become self-employed. Further, self-employed people can end up making even more than those who pursue more traditional types of employment. As a result, stay-at-home moms have the possibility of enjoying the best of both worlds.
4. You can take care of yourself more effectively
Although being a stay-at-home mom is an extremely busy pastime, there is more scope to look after yourself if you become ill than there is if you are working. You don’t need a sick note if you want to sit on the sofa under a blanket, and there is always the option of calling someone who can provide extra help with the kids.
5. You may be closer to your children
Spending more time around your children and playing a greater role in their personal growth can lead you to form deeper, more meaningful bonds. Working parents sometimes express the fear that they will not get to know their children as well, and this worry makes sense given the time and energy that is drained by most jobs.
6. You can dress however you like
Instead of wearing an uncomfortable uniform or being trapped in formal clothes every day, your role as a stay-at-home mom gives you a chance to wear your most comfortable and functional outfits. While you can opt for glamorous clothing if you like, there’s no reason why you can’t don leggings and a baggy sweater instead.
7. Your children may have better quality of life
Several fascinating studies on child development have found that children who receive most of their care at home are less aggressive and stressed than their counterparts who spend much of their time in day care facilities. Further studies suggest that the impact of poor day care in early life can even influence a child’s behavior when they hit adolescence.
8. You will have more time to yourself
When your kids are at school, seeing friends or attending clubs, being a stay-at-home mom allows you to spend time enjoying your own company. You can pursue hobbies, read in peace and quiet, and pause for useful moments of self-reflection. These luxuries often fall by the wayside when you are working.
9. You will probably save money
Although being a traditional line of work can improve your financial situation, being a stay-at-home mom can also lead to saving significant amounts of money. For example, you will not need to pay for care or babysitters nearly as often and you will probably spend less money on gas as well.
10. You may have more energy
Finally, being a stay-at-home mom can be less emotionally and physically draining than the process of balancing parenting with a stressful, time-consuming career. When you have more energy, it is easier to be a positive person and to maintain good relationships with your loved ones.
As is obvious from the above benefits, staying home with the kids can be an extremely rewarding experience. While the benefits must be weighed against any costs associated with potentially reduced income or resentment over lost opportunities, it is well worth considering stay-at-home parenting as a live option.
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