“The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness.” – Jessica Lange. I love that quote because it is so true, and unfortunately when it comes to the stay at home mom vs working mom debate, the word “selfish” gets thrown around WAY. TOO. MUCH.
Sometimes the accusation of selfishness comes from others, but sometimes it’s our own feelings and “mom guilt” that bog us down.
I have had the privilege of being able to do it all–I was a full time working mom, a stay at home mom, and a part-time working mom. My schedule still flops back and forth on occasion. I believe this gives me a unique perspective to share some considerations with you.
But first, I want you to push this idea of “selfishness” out of your head. Do not even let yourself think, “…but I feel selfish…”
Here’s the deal: now that you’re a mom, prepare to feel guilty all the time. If you decide to do A, prepare to feel guilty that you didn’t do B. And if you did B, then understand you’re going to worry about not choosing A.
In this modern age of social media and unintentional “comparison trapping”, moms are second-guessing themselves more than ever.
As we begin to have this conversation, I need you to let go of the feelings that say “should”. “Should” is not a true qualifier here. When we use the word “should” as a mom, there is often guilt behind that world.
(Now, obviously, I don’t mean in the sense of “I should make some lunch” or another similar usage–that’s different. I mean using the word “should” when there isn’t truly a right or wrong answer, and when your head and your heart are not aligned).
Go into the rest of this article with an open mind. I’m going to share some things that helped me figure out if I should be a stay at home mom vs working mom, and I hope it will help you, too.
Stay At Home Mom Vs Working Mom: Your Heart <3
The first thing I want to address is your heart.
Now that you have had (or are expecting) your precious little one, where your child is, your heart will be also.
Nothing can truly prepare you for the overwhelming love and strong devotion you will feel for your babies. You will want to protect them from everything and not miss any milestones. You’ll want to give them the whole world.
It may seem like being a stay at home mom is the best way to ensure these things, but I want to assure you that choosing to be a working mom does not necessarily contradict this.
Yes, it will hurt to be away from your baby. But for every mom at work aching to get home to her baby, there is another mom at home ready to cry because she is exhausted and just needs a break.
I have been in both positions. Sometimes it feels like a “grass is always greener” situation.
But it is important to remember going forward that no matter what, your heart is going to want every moment possible with your baby, but that doesn’t mean that being a working mom is out of the question. This desire to be with your kids is every mom’s desire.
We need to stop thinking that moms who choose to work don’t care about raising their babies. It’s a false and damaging stigma. There is so much more that goes into this decision than what we want.
But nevertheless, we need to start honing in on what we feel like our heart is telling us. If you have a gut feeling, you need to be honest about that and start to reconcile that with what your head is saying.
The other side of this heart equation is your passion. Your kids may have your heart, but you may also have a passion for your work. That passion doesn’t need to be stifled just because you have kids.
But if you do not have a passion for your work, then this probably makes your decision much easier.
Your Financial Status & Family Goals
This one seems obvious, but can you afford to be a stay at home mom?
If your family is paycheck to paycheck with two incomes, it doesn’t suddenly get easier when you get rid of one of those incomes, even if it means you don’t have to pay childcare expenses. A lot of times we say there is no point in working because “daycare will take all of my paycheck.”
That may be true depending on if you were making minimum wage or slightly above, or if you have multiple kids to put in daycare, but for most people, you probably will still come out financially ahead by working.
I live in one of the most expensive states for childcare costs, but I still managed to take a little bit home at the end of the month on a teacher’s salary after paying for two kids in a full-time daycare center.
Financially, we have more money when I work. If you aren’t in a place where you can take a financial risk, or if you just enjoy your work and love the extra money it brings to live a flexible lifestyle, then continuing to work may be the right choice for you. Contrary to popular belief, wanting a little more money doesn’t make you a bad person.
There is nothing wrong with not wanting to worry about if you’ll be able to pay your bills this month, nothing wrong with hoping to be able to save extra money for college, and nothing wrong with wanting to have enough that you can take a family trip in the summer.
If you can’t do those things on one income, you don’t need to feel guilty for choosing to work to make those things happen. But those are not every family’s goals.
Rate of Return
What I truly needed to look at was the rate of return on the money when it came to the expense of the lifestyle we wanted to live. We didn’t need fancy cars and vacations–our goal was a more relaxed lifestyle.
When I worked full-time, I was so exhausted at the end of the day that making dinner, cleaning, or doing other chores was agonizing.
I needed a break at the end of the day away from people (I’m not a full-blown introvert, but I’m somewhere on that spectrum), but I also wanted time with my kids.
When my kids were in daycare full-time, we were ALL so exhausted at the end of the day, which meant more tantrums and outbursts. I felt like my kids and I were all getting the worst parts of each other.
Working full-time meant more take-out and wanting to outsource household tasks (like cleaning) when possible.
You need to figure out the lifestyle you want and if you need your paychecks to live it. Our family wanted a simpler lifestyle, so eventually, it made sense for me to cut way back on my hours.
There Are Other Ways To Make Money
One thing to remember is we have never lived in a better time for making money as a stay at home mom. There are so many options for work-from-home gigs, side hustles, passive income, etc. If you want to stay home but need to make a little extra for your goals, there are many ways to do so.
Also, don’t rule out the idea of having your spouse find higher-paying work. Yes, I agree it’s not just that easy to say, “Okay, I’ll get a higher paying job.” But I would be remiss to mention that the game changer for my family was my husband getting a job that replaced my income.
He didn’t just decide to do that one morning by going out and coming home with a great job offer he found randomly. It took three years to get there. It didn’t happen overnight! But it was something that paid off in the end, and it gave my family the financial freedom we needed to live the life we wanted.
Shortly after this job change, I was able to stay home with my kids. Truly, we could have made it work for me to quit earlier, but it would have been difficult because we were working to pay off significant student loan debt.
Personality Type
Your personality type plays a significant role in this decision. Honestly, I believe your personality type is the biggest determining factor when deciding between being a stay at home mom vs working mom.
I first took the Myers-Briggs Test back in college. I did a study abroad program, and they made us take it to help them pair us up with compatible roommates.
The test was so helpful for me to learn more about who I am, though no personality test is going to be a perfect science.
But it is a start! There are so many different personality tests out there; look into a few to see what helps you learn the most about yourself.
Your personality type can help you decipher what being a stay at home mom or working mom might be like for you.
I was not surprised to see that this article stated my personality type as the most likely to be a stay at home mom. Once I finally was able to be home more, it’s honestly like I became a new person.
I am so grateful that my husband supported this because I do believe it would be difficult for me to return to full-time work permanently.
What About My Career?
There is also a part of me that is ambitious and has a hard time giving up my career completely. That is where I feel part-time has been my sweet spot while my kids are little. I was lucky to work out a job share position as a teacher–being a part-time teacher isn’t always feasible!
At the end of the day, you need to do some self-exploration to find out who you truly are.
Who you are matters!
You are not selfish if you enjoy working, are career-driven, or need to work for whatever reason. You were created this way. This is who you are.
You are filling an important role, and don’t let anyone tell you it is at the expense of your children.
Daycare has been awesome for my kids in SO many ways. My kids are well-adjusted, well-behaved, and happy.
They know I am their mom. Not once did they “get confused” or whatever else people say.
As for raising your kids, we all need a village. It is okay to have daycare be part of your village. Critics say that they needed to stay home because they couldn’t imagine someone else raising their kids, but there is so much wrong with that statement.
First of all, you are 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} raising your kids even if you utilize daycare. Each time one of my sons had an issue, it was me who figured it out and solved it. Then daycare supported me in what I said they needed to do for him.
Second of all, if you want to raise your kids 100{9994046f29331ee04cc0b5e07eb28364315ea03ccc2f01b5a43e8b85b372d1e9} on your own with no village, you can. But the reality is that most (happy) stay at home moms have their own kind of village and support with child-raising, even if that village isn’t daycare.
Your Hopes and Dreams
While I put this last in my list, it certainly isn’t least. Like I said before, we all have our unique callings.
I believe each of us was created uniquely to fulfill a purpose. It is difficult to justify that there is only ONE right way to raise a family in modern times.
It’s okay to have a career as a mom. You are showing your kids that women are not less than men. You are showing them that women have an equal place in this world.
Some might have a hard time with that statement, but our calling in this life is not decided by people.
I reached a point where I knew I had to answer to no one besides myself, my family, and God. Society has expectations, but society’s expectations are not going to determine my calling.
While I loved my times as a stay-at-home mom, I have a career-driven part of myself that I can’t ignore. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work part-time.
While it is difficult to grow a career when you are part-time, it at least keeps you treading water. I am okay with that at this stage in life.
Trust Yourself
Lastly, you need to remember that you are doing the best that you can.
The fact that you are carefully considering this decision shows how loving you are as a mother.
If you have a gut feeling, follow it. If your head and heart have equal pull (like me), keep an open mind. Don’t be afraid to try things and take risks.
Remember, you don’t need to make one decision and stick to that decision for the rest of your life.
If you decide your decision was not what you thought it would be, you can always change your mind!
How did you decide if you were going to be a stay at home mom vs working mom? What advice do you have for those who can’t decide? Let me know in the comments!
Interesting read on the stay at home mom versus working mom debate. Like you touched on, a way to satisfy both needs is to start an online business and become a stay at home working mom. And if the mom gets some affiliate sites or shopify stores or even selling homemade stuff on Etsy she could create the all important streams of passive income. Nice article, I hope your weekend has been a good one, take care.
Thank you!
This is a very challenging decision for every family. Today, it is not just moms alone that struggle with this decision but some dads too. My wife left her job to raise our 3 kids and now that the kids are all grown up, she wants to work to continue to contribute but it is not easy for a woman to re-enter the work place. Therefore, developing alternative income sources like a home or online business is a good alternative and I would encourage one to start as easy as possible. There is also no job security today, therefore having multiple income choices is an good option as I find the financial decision often outweighs the other factors mentioned in your article.
Great point, Stanley! You are absolutely right that this is a big decision for every family, and could be applicable to dads, too. I decided just to focus on moms in this article because that is the perspective I have, and I can’t speak directly to the pressures men may feel from society or their own sense of personal pressure due to “cultural norms”, which could be very different than the pressures I face. But you are right that this is a topic that needs to be talked about for dads, too!
I’m a father and I know what it feel like to feel guilty towards one’s family. This was one issue that caused a little rift between I and wife when we had our first daughter, she was working, likewise me, I thought it was the best idea for her to sit back at home and take care of the house and the kid, she argued it a bit till when we had our second child, responsibility began to rise and it was and for just my little income to balance out living. To cut it short, we decided to stop arguing about it and she continued her job, it all depends on your agreement and how you can both work it out.
Yes, it is definitely a family decision! While it may affect the spouse who is going to be the one leaving their job more than the other spouse, it is definitely a decision that will affect the whole family and everyone needs to be on board.
I am a mom of 3 adult children who are at the age of becoming parents themselves.If my daughters were to ask me which is best, my answer would be “whichever makes them happier”. Being a new mom is overwhelming enough as it is and trying to figure out whether or not to be a working mom just adds more fuel to the fire. Whatever the choice is there should be no guilt and no regret. You have pointed out some great factors to consider. Both ways work as proven time and again. It is important to spend QUALITY time with your children. That is what matters.
Absolutely, Geri! Quality time is exactly right. A mom could be at the office for 8 hours, but come home and make the best of every moment with her kids. Compared to someone who might physically be with their kids more, but doesn’t spend much time truly engaging with them, which is really better?
It’s a fine balance isn’t it, being home with your kids or going out to work to help provide for them and the rest of your family. Family values change all the time and as you say social media intervene to make judgement on everyone’s ideas.
If you can afford to stay home that’s great, your children benefit from having you around. Here in the UK child care costs are astronomical and parents often find that one salary goes to paying for child care, so it’s a balance deciding whether to work or stay home. Some parents need the stimulation of work and other adults, rather than being with babies and children all the time.
It is what suits each individual and family best.
Yes, each family has different needs and goals!
Every mother deserve to be treated with utmost respect for the great job they are doing, it’s always not easy to forfeit your own careers and take up the duty of taking care your kids. I believe which ever decision any mother make towards her home, either to be a full house mom or to decide yet time between work and home, we all have different reasons to do whatever we do and as you’ve said in this article, selflessness should be the backbone of every decisions. Thank you.
Absolutely, thank you!
Hello Holly Lee,
Your baby on the right on your picture that crying, is very cute. What is his name?
Okay, speaking of your post “Stay At Home Mom vs. Working Mom”, I really like the way you show the root of the problem and provide a solution. What a good post!
I am also a mother who has 1 baby. And in the same case, I chose to be a working mom while my husband who staying at home “dad”. It is our mutual agreement that when we have children, one of us must give in to babysitting (8 to 6). The main reason is that when he works, he has a job that requires him to go up country routinely (unlike me), and we both think that it’s not good for the psychological child.
But, true as you say that the problem that arises is “paycheck”. At first we started this, arguably very difficult. But because he is determined to make money “online”, so our household has an additional income. And one more thing, if I look at your profile, who is also a middle school teacher, how do you divide your time between work, business, parenting? thank you
-Kylie-
Hi Kylie! Thankfully, right now I am teaching part-time. I have a job share position with another teacher, which allows me a lot of time at home with my family, and also time to work on my online business. When I was full time, I found it very difficult to balance it all, hence why I went to part-time (among many other reasons). I wish I had some great tips for balancing it all, but it was so hard! I know many people who do it, though. I think to be successful in your online business while working full-time and raising a family, you need the following:
– A supportive partner (though I know some single parents make this happen, too! I admire their tenacity)
– A good daily routine that allows you some work time
– A stubborn and tenacious spirit
– A high level of motivation & belief that it is possible
When I and my siblings were little my mom always observe to see our behavioral pattern towards her and how hooked she was with her career. This makes her always feel guilty. She tries to make sure she balance it with us, and as little as we were, we found this burdensome to her.
Moms are great and whatever decision they make in this scenario is the best. There is always a way moms can plan things out. What works for a family may not be what may work for another. Understand your family and do what’s right. Another option here is to setup an online business that will enable them work from home and at the same time have full control of your kids.
Thank you Holly for this awesome article.
Thanks, Kell! I agree that setting up an online business can be a great middle-ground for career-driven moms. Check out this post I wrote on that topic here: Ways To Make Money As A Stay At Home Mom: Change Your Financial Future!
Hello Holly, being a stay at home moms wouldn’t be a bad idea but it would be very much impossible and difficult especially when there is no source of income that would meet the needs of the family. These days, I have seen women take the lead in the family and in the society. Sadly I have seen many cases where women are the bread winners of their home. It wouldn’t be very easy to decide whether to be a stay at home or working mom. But I think you made the process easier. Personally, I’d want my wife to be a stay at home moms I love the idea of making money as a stay at home mom; moreover, passive income is awesome!
Regards!
Hello!
Yes, if you have no income stream at all (like a working partner), then it would probably be impossible to be a stay at home mom. I would never recommend that anyone quit their job to stay home if they have no way to support themselves.
I don’t think it’s sad if women are the breadwinners. I think it’s awesome that women are starting to gain more and more success in the workplace after being oppressed for centuries. However, that doesn’t change the maternal desire many people feel to be able to stay home for a few years when their kids are young. And for some families, it makes more sense for Dad to stay home!
If your wife is as excited as you are about being a stay at home mom, that is great! Thanks for the comment.
Hiya Holly
Thank you for your fantastic article on Stay at Home Mom’s vs Working Mom’s. I have been a SAHM for most of my cub’s lives because I was medically retired after the birth of my second. After my first I was a childminder so I just took her with me. When my eldest was 2, I went back to full time education then eventually into a full-time job which I was forced by ill health to retire from never to work again until now.
I have been a child minder and had my child looked after by others so I’ve seen every side too, I agree with you that you must make the decision based on who you are as a person. Do you have any advice for those who have to work to live? Single parents who still need to eat?
Thank you for a really thought provoking read that I could really identify with, krs PurpleLioness
Hello!
For those who have to work to live, you may not have the luxury of being a SAHM, at least not right away. But there are things you can do to try and get yourself into a position where it is possible.
1) If you have a partner that also desires for you to stay home, they should be working, and even looking for a way to up their income (job change, second job, whatever).
2) If you are a single mom or just cannot make it on only one income, you can look for flexible work that allows you to stay home with your family while also earning money on this side. Some of these options earn instant money, others take time and patience to have success with.
Check out this post for ideas:
Ways To Make Money As A Stay At Home Mom: Change Your Financial Future!
I dearly loved this article.
It is your personality to accommodate in the situation you are in. It is finance, career, taking care of your loved one.
It reminds me always of my only child growing when both of us had high paying corporate jobs when I read this kind of article. I put her with a baby sitter, with the most expensive daycare in that area.
She never enjoyed anywhere but home. I was good financially to quit my job and become a stay home mom. But after trying 15 months I missed my job which I was passionate about. The job took over my kid. Finally, I left her with my family overseas visiting her often.
I can never forget the scene when I leave her to the USA each time I visit her. Now I cry after 29 years back.
She failed in my eyes much time and then lifted her up mostly by herself. I believe she carries more experience in life compared to many of her age.
Now she works as a corporate lawyer in New York City. She looked at us and took care of herself. The only thing I did was to pay her tuition during her law school so she did not borrow any. Sometimes things take care of their own and we have no control over it.
Hello Anusuya,
I can hear in your words how difficult it was for you to make these decisions and how you wished some things could be different. It sounds like your daughter was well taken care of, and that she looked up to you as she pursued her own corporate career.