What made you decide to be a Stay-at-home-Mom or Stay-at-home-Dad?

1. 88

   ThePracticalMommyposted 13 years ago

   What made you decide to be a Stay-at-home-Mom or Stay-at-home-Dad?
   
   I decided that I didn't want to miss the precious childhood years of my children, loving them and teaching them the only way a mother can. What was your reason?

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2. 61

   duffsmomposted 13 years ago

   My reasons were the same.  I did not feel that any daycare, however well-intentioned, could offer to my children what I could.  It was hard but well worth it. 
   
   When you think about it, we create our children's past as we raise them.  Having had a difficult childhood, I was determined that this would not be the case for my daughters.  I wanted them to be able to look back and have wonderful memories and a good foundation.
   
   I am pleased with the results.

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3. 85

   wychicposted 13 years ago

   The same sort of thing -- I hated taking my son to the daycare from the beginning, and felt like all I was doing with working out of the home was trading my time with my son for money to pay others to raise him. I turned in my notice shortly after he took his first steps -- while I was at work -- and the same daycare employees who told me what his first word was delivered the news. That was right after I got coached at work (after never having anything less than glowing evaluations) because of how many days I missed while he was sick with a 104 fever and had double eye and ear infections.
   
   I knew that that job could never offer me enough to make it worth missing all that time with him, and I'd started to really hate the policies that would penalize me for putting my family first. Since then, I've become a full-time writer/marketer and can stay home with my son and daughter, and now my husband gets to stay home too .

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4. 61

   Monisajdaposted 13 years ago

   Pretty much the same reasons here. I wanted to see them grow with my own eyes and be there when they were reaching a new milestone. I wanted to see them smile and be happy at home and in relaxed atmosphere. I wanted to give them a worry free, happy childhood so they can be strong and have a solid base when they grow up. I love being with them.

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5. 61

   Bellva11posted 13 years ago

   Financially there was no reason for me to need to work until my son is in school. We would spend more in childcare, and gas than I would make, I don't want to miss these precious years either, it seems to be more of a hassle to leave my child than it should be.   I Don't think I could stand leaving him in daycare, I would feel heart broken.  He is so young and influential. I want to be the one to teach him to walk, talk, and do things.

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   JillKostowposted 13 years ago

   I became a stay-at-home-mom when after my second child was born mainly because of having a bad experience with my daughter in daycare.  Also now with having the four kids it is wiser financially to stay home with them because the cost of childcare is to great.  I am glad we are in a position for me to stay home with them.  Even though they drive me to the edges of insanity sometimes I wouldn't trade it for the world.  If given the chance to do it over I would stay home right away begining with my daughter!!!  I have two more years before my youngest starts kindergarten....maybe then I will look for part-time work.  I know it will be lonely here without them!!!

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7. 61

   Dster60091posted 13 years ago

   I found I liked being home with my son, cooking, volunteering at school, walking the dog, and writing on the side more than I liked being in an office 60 hours a week (my company going bankrupt also made the decision a bit easier).

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   cat on a soapboxposted 13 years ago

   I was told that I would probably not be able to conceive, so when I found out that I was pregnant at 43 (without treaments)
   I knew I wanted to savor every moment with my child. I never regained my career, but I wouldn't change a thing if I had to do it over again. It was wonderful!

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9. 60

   Anthea Carsonposted 13 years ago

   I don't exactly understand why I totally support other women who want to go outside the home and work, and yet recoil at the idea for myself. I want to be there for my kids so that they are safe, and so that I can see them grow up, so that I can share in the memories of their childhood. So that they think of me when they think of mom, and safety, and someone who was there for them. I just can't work outside the home, at least not till my kids are older. Even as teenagers I feel they need me to be there. That's why I am trying to make something work like hubpages that I can do while I am there with them.

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    Danette Wattposted 13 years ago

    I was fortunate that my husband earned enough for me to stay home with my kids. And when I had my first son, I did not have a career. It was pointless for me to take him to a daycare and work all day just to turn around and pay someone most of my earnings to watch him while I was at work.  So it really was a no-brainer. Then when my second child came along, I was in school. Either way, I LOVED loved loved being home with them, nurturing them, giving them experiences, helping at their schools, teaching them, etc.
    
    At times, now, I think of all the years I could have been working and putting money toward my social security credits and IRAs and so on. But I would do it all over again the very same way.

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11. 60

    TCM Specialistposted 13 years ago

    The day I held my son, I knew where I was needed.

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12. 61

    Melanie Trauschposted 13 years ago

    I worked for many years building a career that I loved. I felt very rewarded in the work I did and contributions I made, however no amount of self-gratification, money, accolades, or benefits could keep me from making the decision to leave it all and focus solely on being completely present for my children.
    
    I was very fortunate to be able to leave the workforce and concentrate on my children during their developmental years. I know many mothers who wish they could stay at home and still have the lifestyle their two income household affords.
    
    I can’t express how rewarding it’s been to watch my children grow and evolve, to share in all the memories only mommies with flexibility can experience - being able to help out in my children’s classrooms, being home in the afternoon to help with homework or take them to extracurricular activities, or even sometimes surprising them by showing up during their lunchtime to have lunch with them.
    
    My kids tell me often how much they love me being home in the afternoons because almost all of their friends’ parents both work and they realize how rare and special it is to have a mom that isn’t working. Now that my children are getting older  I am taking on consulting projects, still at home but slowly easing myself back into work mode.
    
    Though I may find myself back in full swing as a career woman someday, I am so grateful that I took the time off to concentrate on the most important job I’ll ever have.

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13. 61

    ryancurtisposted 13 years ago

    I would do anything to be a stay at home Dad. Reading all your stories is the sole reason l would love to do it.
    Being at home with my two boys would be without a doubt the most challenging and rewarding job on earth.
    Wishing you all the best of success.

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    mommygonebonkersposted 13 years ago

    There were a lot of reasons I decided to be a stay at home mom. I just couldn't even imagine leaving my baby with someone else while I went to work. I have a lot of respect for women who have to do that. It's heartbreaking.
    I kind of have the rise in gas prices to thank for my decision too! My commute to work was fairly long, so we decided that my paycheck would pretty much be paying for day care and gas, so may as well stay home )

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