What do you think are the pro's and con's of being a stay at home mom?

1. 83

   K9keystrokesposted 13 years ago

   What do you think are the pro's and con's of being a stay at home mom?

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2. 59

   Magnetic Treasureposted 13 years ago

   I feel it is very important to follow the heart and if the heart leads someone to become a stay at home parent then that is perfect for them, their family and ultimately the world.
   
   I am helping many people, including my new friend Bridget, accomplish that as we speak.

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3. 59

   Jen Johnsonposted 13 years ago

   Some of the pros of being a stay-at-home mom are that you're always available for your children to help with homework, sort through clothes, teach them new things, or bake cookies together.
   
   The cons depend on your priorities; financially, if you're a stay-at-home mom it can be very difficult, but once you take into account the cost of daycare for a household where both parents work outside of the home, then it almost isn't worth it anymore, especially if you have more than one child.
   
   If you utilize the internet, though, and learn to leverage your time and technology to make money from home, then being a stay-at-home mom turns from financial burden to financial freedom - being your own boss and earning what you assert yourself to earn.
   
   I hope this helps! I personally love being a stay-at-home mom... I have three young children, am working toward a college degree online, and work from home. This wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't had such a strong desire to stay home to be with my kids and still accomplish everything that I wanted to.

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4. 61

   annettemarieposted 13 years ago

   If you decide to have children, don't believe the people who say "you can do it all".  In today's society the woman should be able to make their choice to be a stay at home mom or work.  The children still need to be cared for, not pushed on to somebody else or the school.  A good support system hopefully between both parents is essential if deciding to be a working mom.  If your a single parent,
   have a supportive extended family is needed.  I know many don;t have a healthy extended family or parents to go to for help.  Finding a high quality childcare school (I prefer a home daycare with references). 
   
   The negatives on working outside of the home is many companies don't support proper pregancy leaves for the mother, and don't support time off for sick children and school meetings.  Also, with only allowed 6 months pregancy leave you miss out on the child's first milestone you can see once.  Those beginnings days and years of a baby are a complete blurr..   
   
   If you make that decision, do your best to plan your days to see and hear all the of first words,sounds, expressions, milestones of your child. and don't forget LOTS and LOTS of cuddling and kisses.  Do what is best for you and your partner.  Having children is work, and they are a human being, not a toy. Don't have children, if you can't make the full commitment to them.

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5. 59

   StayathomeMommyJoposted 13 years ago

   I would definitely say the pros outweigh the cons.  The pros are the bond you form with your child.  I am hopeful that the strong bond I am forming now, by being home with her will affect our relationship when she is a teen for the better, and beyond.  Also, I know where she gets every bit of education, there is never anything that she does that I say "where did she get that from", because I already know.  I am also in control of her education and I know she is getting  balanced diet.  There are, however, cons, which can include a lack of socialization for the child, a strong dependence on the mother (or stay at home dad), and insanity for the mother.  Lack of meaningful or professional interaction can be a bit maddening.  But, nap time helps me maintain sanity, although I not above admitting that my husband once came home to me crying in the fetal position in the kitchen. 

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6. 65

   nasus loopsposted 13 years ago

   I have recently changed my work hours so that I was able to be home when my young son got home from school.  The change in his behaviour since then is remarkable.  We actually talk and play now.  There is also a more mutual respect between us.  Before I changed my hours I probably only saw him in the evening for about 2-3 hours before he went to bed and most of this time was spent preparing the evening meal, eating it and then bath time.  Now we have play time before I even start preparing the meal.
   
   I suppose for me if I was able to be a stay at home mum I would do it as it is clear that the response you get from your child is a definite pro outwaying the cons.

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7. 35

   edhanposted 13 years ago

   Advantage will be taking care of the children so they will be guided and not going astray.
   
   Disadvantage will be not having the worldly experience as she will be home-maker and not knowing what is going on outside the house.
   
   But now with Internet easily available, I do believe the Cons is now Pros as she has everything she needs staying at home and knowing the info around the world.

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8. 76

   CloudExplorerposted 13 years ago

   5 Pro's
   
   1- She doesn't have to be bossed around by someone she doesn't know.
   2- She will always be with her Children or hopefully if she's a wise & caring mom.
   3- She will be able to show her children or child much more affection.
   4- The kids will love her for her dedication and loving care even more.
   5- She can breast feed her children, making for a more natural nursing process.
   
   
   
   
   5 Con's
   
   1- She will not get to become what she wished to become if she hasn't finished her education yet during the duration of being a stay home mom, unless someone helps watch her children while going to night school or some other timing schedule adjustment and arrangements.
   2- She may get overly consumed by staying home too much, and possibly lose sight of her dreams and aspirations.
   3- She wont get to hang out all the time with friends like she use too
   4- She will have a great deal of responsibility to handle, which if she's not a responsible person can become a difficulty for her, requiring a tough learning curve.
   5- She may not get help from her spouse if he works all the time, and comes home tired to simply go to sleep.

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9. 67

   Emma Bethposted 13 years ago

   Pros
   Especially, with very young children, you get to bring up your children the way you want them to be bought up. Essentially, you are not relying on the people in childcare or another carer to bring them up, which ends up happening by default. If you are working full time with young children and they are in childcare/with a carer  5 days a week, unfortunately you only really see the your kids for the "business ends" of the day, ie the times when you have to get them up and breakfasted, or bathed and ready for bed. If you are at home with them you can spend time with them, play with them, teach them etc during the day, not just see at times when they are likely to be grumpy or trying to get them to do something. It ends up that the carers in childcare see the kids substantially for the times when they are receptive to learning, rather than the parents. I have a friend who was in childcare who said with the very young ones they used to see the kids take their first steps, say first words etc, and then pretend to the parents it hadn't happened, so the parents could think they would see their first steps another time when they were at home. That just seems sad.
   
   With older children you are there in school holidays and at school pick up times, etc.
   
   The cons are mainly to do with financial and career aspirations, which are mainly personal decisions for the person who has to give up their career to be the carer.

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10. 0

    MP50posted 13 years ago

    I am a stay at home Dad .
    
    Does this count?

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11. 76

    Arjuncoolposted 13 years ago

    Pros: 1.The mind-stress situation of doing the boring 9-5 work is eliminated.
             2.You can do your own hobbies and improve on it.
    Cons: 1.Hidden from the external world makes you hidden from the events/activities that are happening at present outside.
              2.Can't learn anything new.

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12. 60

    NiaLeeposted 13 years ago

    I have been for three years now and I am losing my mind!!! NO, it is just a lot of work, dedication and 24/7 responsibility...and not a lot of recognition. We live in a society where people measure, assess through money. I even ended up being abused in my home because i was seen as a free worker and not somebody who brought money in the home!
    
    Stay at home mom do it because they love their kids, it is  not convenient for the children to be taken places and left with people who will get paid and won't educate them the way we want or can, because it costs less financially, because the career or environment don't make it possible to work, etc...
    All I know is that somebody who has a child, takes care of a home, a man and children deserves more respect .
    
    Pros:
    - take good care of your children (follow and motivate child's development closely)
    - give the education you want to your children
    - ability to focus on hobbies and activities not possible while working
    
    Cons:
    - finances difficult or non existent
    - loss of social network
    - difficulties in career
    - weight gain
    - being underestimated or misunderstood by other moms or even family

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13. 83

    pstraubie48posted 13 years ago

    pros: you know what your child is learning. with whom your child is interacting...you are there to answer questions as they arise...life questions...like why is the grass green? where did i come from? you are there to comfort, reassure, discipline, guide, love...
    cons: none...

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14. 60

    Grime Remixposted 13 years ago

    Being there more often with your children is a big plus for them.  You might have to deal with a little isolation sometimes or feeling that way.

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15. 64

    1kmjsposted 13 years ago

    The pros are that you are the chief influence in your childs development, and get to share the moments in life that in retrospect turn to be "priceless". The cons are that you may after a while feel that a "mommy" is all you are and may be the pinnacle of your existance. Not a bad pinnacle if you asked me though.

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16. 68

    Jewelz1313posted 13 years ago

    I was a stay at home mom and love it at first. I got to spend time with them and educate them. The only draw back was I lost myself. I was a mother, a wife, a housekeeper. I didn't take time for myself. It took years to find myself. I also realized at one point that I haven't had a conversation with anyone above the age of three for several days, other than my husband who was too tired to talk after working all day.
    After working, I gained my confidence back and has been full throttle ever since.

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17. 93

    Teresa Coppensposted 13 years ago

    I believe there are more pros than cons in being a stay at home mom.  Quality time with your kids when they are young is Irreplaceable.  The early years can pass by I such a blur.  Staying at home allows you to savor every moment; experiences in the first three years have a major impact on a child's reading acquisition and later success in the classroom.  Being at home means mom can spend more quality time in valuable reading and play activities.  Later on, stay at home moms have the peace of mind of knowing they will usually be at home when the kids return from school.
    
    The cons involve mom possibly giving up her career and feeling that loss; if she doesn't develop a frind base with other stay at home moms or maintain other friendships she may feel socially isolated.

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18. 61

    hillymillydeeposted 13 years ago

    In everything we do in this life there are always pros and cons. But sometimes the cons turns to pros at the end.
    Being at home always makes me feel that this life is unfair. I couldn't explore the world and don't know what is going on out there. I couldn't leave the kids and do my own way. I have the same routine almost everyday. It is boring. Is this all there is to life? These are the cons a stay at home mom might feel.
    
    Before I got married I know it will turn out to be like this. I will have a baby and take care of them. Love and teach them, do my home chores as a mother and find ways to enjoy my small world at home. I will be happy to prepare food when my husband comes home. In this way, being a stay home mom will benefit my kids, my husband and me.  I'm happy to see my kids grow up well trained and disciplined, I am happy to feel that close family  relationship is being built everyday. I am happy see my husband come home, take off his coat, sit down with us at dining table, watch TV, talk about his day and my day as our kids go to sleep. My happiness and love for my family overrides the cons I might have had during the day.  We can go shopping or go for recreation as a whole happy family. After all it is happier to enjoy things with your love ones.

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19. 67

    sassydeeposted 13 years ago

    Pro's are saving money, eating healthy, always having a clean house, and last but not least raising your own kids the way you want.
    
    Con's are not having a second income and not being able to do the things that cost money to do. Probablly having to struggle and go with out the materialistic goods of life.
    
    As far as not knowing the outside world that's not an issue because of our technology today, weight gain shouldn't be an issue either because more time to exercise and eat more healthy, and as far as not being more educated that is what libraries are for or one could even enroll in a class while the children are at school.

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