Being a mom is a tough job but a necessary one. Are you ready to take on full-time parenting? Staying at home with your kids has many benefits—you bond more closely with them and get to see more of their firsts. When you become a stay-at-home mom, you ensure a healthy future for your family. Let’s look at more underrated benefits of stay-at-home parenting.
Calendar Flexibility
With an office job, you’ve got to schedule most of your essential errands for evenings and weekends. Splitting your time can burn you out! When you stay at home, you have more control over your schedule. Need to take your kiddo to the doctor on a Tuesday? No problem. Want to sleep in on Friday mornings? Go for it.
Fewer Childcare Expenses
Babysitters, nannies, and daycare centers help you care for the kids when life gets too hectic, but those costs can add up. Save money by taking care of the little ones on your own. As a bonus, use the money you save for other activities with the kids.
Decreased Stress
Life with children already carries stress with it. From tantrums to pickiness over food, kids can demand a lot of energy from you. But when you delete a “regular” job from the equation, you delete an entire source of additional stress. Your kids will be there whether you work outside the home or not, so focus your energy on them without the demands of a traditional job piled on top.
Increased Comfort
Most jobs require a uniform or business attire. Whether it’s uncomfortable high heels or starchy employer-provided shirts, you grow weary of having to put on the same annoying clothes every day. When you’re a full-time mom, though, you dictate the uniform. Dress yourself in comfy, cozy clothes that help you move easily through your day, and you’ll boost your mood.
Happier Kids
Your young ones will be grateful in the long run for the time you spend with them now. When you are their primary caregiver, they’ll feel more at ease than with a babysitter they don’t know. Plus, kids with a stay-at-home parent are less likely to have lasting behavior problems. When your child’s school notifies you of a behavioral concern, you can work with your child directly to solve it.
Ditching your traditional job in favor of the stay-at-home mom life is a big decision. While the days may get longer for you — you can’t clock out of being a mom! — they’ll be full of enriching quality time with the ones you love most. Consider these underrated benefits of stay-at-home parenting as you make your decision.