Benefits and Drawbacks Of Being a Stay At Home Mom

Are you thinking of being a stay at home mom? Do you have some worries or concerns and not sure if it’s worth it? Well, let me help you out by listing some of the pros and cons of staying at home with your children.

With everything in life, you need to see if the good outweighs the bad and this is no difference.

A quote from Mother Theresa that has always stuck with me is, “if you want to change the world go home and love your family.”

Pros Of Being A Stay At Home Mom

1. You Don’t Miss The Precious Moments!

When you are at home with your kids you are there for it all! The good, the bad, everything! You don’t miss a thing! This means you don’t miss all the beautiful moments.

Your baby blowing bubbles from their lips, your kids helping out their sibling who just fell, their first steps, their kisses, and never-ending gifts of flowers, rocks and pretty leaves. Kids are amazing at slowing us down, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Slow down and smell that flower, look at the bugs and enjoy the beauty of the world that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. You are pretty much guaranteed to have at least one precious moment everyday if not many, many more that you otherwise would not have had if you went to work.

There isn’t that guilt feeling and you can watch your kids grow! How wonderful is that!

2. You can Save Money!

Money is a big issue and generally a big deciding factor when it comes to being a stay at home mom or not. Of course, if you need to work, please don’t feel guilty! But, if you have the choice staying at home can actually save you money.

1. You are not having to pay for child care or a baby sitter which can be costly!
2. You are less likely to buy snack foods that you would have otherwise bought for your children’s daycare snacks and or for your work.
3. Cooking meals at home from wholesome ingredients is way cheaper than buying convenience food out! It’s so easy to do when you are out and about, but when you are home you are more likely to whip up some food yourself.
4. You can save money on travel expenses to and from work and other work related expenses.
5. Kids also generally get sick a lot those first couple of years in childcare! You can potentially save yourself a lot of time and money not having to visits the doctors and buying medication by just staying at home with your children!

3. Less Stress For You And Your Family!

Your children love you so much they do not want to be away from you! You are their safety, their first love and being apart can be extremely stressful for children. Plus, let’s not forget you mamma, who has to separate yourself from your crying child and the pain and emotional stress that could cause you!

Not just that, but most of us mums would go to work and then have to juggle the home life as well. Cook the meals, clean the house, do all the normal duties while also working a full or part time job!

It can be very exhausting and stressful. Being home and able to do things on your time is a lot more peaceful for everyone.

4. Instil Values You Want In Your Kids

Another benefit of being a stay at home mom is you get instil values you want in your kids! Whatever values you want them to learn you can teach them such as honesty, respect, kindness, generosity, compassion, patience and so much more.

For some reason it’s so much easier for us to pick up bad habits than good ones. When kids are away from the home, they tend to pick up habits and values from those around them.

Some can definitely be good but a lot of the time there are some bad habits that need to be overcome and trained out of them like biting, lying, hitting, snatching ect. While we can’t always shelter our children, laying down a strong foundation while they are home with us will help them to stand up for what they believe is right when they are faced with difficult situations.

5. Expand Your Social Circle

There are so many Facebook groups and mom groups it can almost be overwhelming! But with time you will find some really awesome mothers that you click with well.

You never know who you might meet, and the knowledge an older mother can impart on you. It’s lovely to meet other mothers and see you are not alone.

Many mothers are facing the same difficulties and joys you would be. If one group doesn’t feel quite right for you don’t worry, there are hundreds of others to choose from!

6. You Get To Learn New Things And Have New Experiences

The beauty about life is that we always get to learn new things. When your children are very small you can spend nap times learning a new skill. It’s the perfect time to sit, rest and start sewing, embroidery, crochet, whatever catches your fancy really.

As your kids get older it’s amazing and so rewarding learning new things all together. For example, finger crochet, felting, cooking and baking, gardening, the list can go on and on.

There is always something new to learn even if you are just reading an interesting book, or watching an interesting documentary together the freedom of it is truly beautiful.

7. You Get To Do The Things You Love With The People You Love!

When you love something the enthuasim can be contagious. Kids can feel the excitement and normally want to join in. All the extra hours not having to go to a physical job means you do have more hours in the day to do things you love.

If you love reading you can read to your children or start a quiet time where they look through their books while you read yours. Nap times are a great time to refill your cup if you want some alone time to do something you love by yourself.

Make sure you always make time to do something you love, believe the time is their if you want it to be!

8. You Get To Make A Home You Love!

Creating a beautiful home can be contagious. You can do this even in an apartment. Making your house cozy and comfortable to suit you and your family’s needs are so rewarding!

Wether you’re a beachy type of mom who loves shells and macrame wall hangings or a mother who loves old fashioned furniture and cozy pillows with a comfortable rug under your feet you get to create it!

You are in charge of the home and have the joy of making it suit you and your family. If you want to read more about creating a home, you love I have written an article about it here!

Cons To Being A Stay At Home Mom

1. It Can Feel Very Lonely

While there are many pros to staying at home with your kids there are definitely long lonely days. Days where you just want an adult conversation and are tired of listening to your children speak or fight.

Sometimes it feels like you are the only one dealing with an issue and can feel like a real failure when your kids act out in certain ways. I know because I have often felt this way myself.

Not every day feels like this of course but be prepared as they happen to us all! Just try to remember you are not actually every alone and an adult can be just a phone call away.

2. It Can Be Emotionally Draining

Having to deal with children’s emotions all day is exhausting! Pair that up with having to control your own emotions it’s just plain exhausting! Some days it just feels like everyone has woken up on the wrong side of the bed!

Those days are extra-long. The constant noise and touch can definitely seem overbearing at times! Sometimes we have a wonderful day planned and all your child will do is cry, complain and through a tantrum and honestly, I wish I could do the same!

But as a parent we have to be more composed and calmer and yes this is exhausting! Remember not all days will be like this but be prepared as they do come. Have that warm cup of tea ready or book you love for when everyone is finally in bed for the night!

3. It Can Get Very Boring (monotonous)

Oh, the joys of constant dishes, laundry, vacuuming and mopping just to do it all again and again and again! Yes, it can feel the same and boring a lot of the time as these things will always need to get done.

Meals will always need to be prepared; dishes will always have to be washed, and clothes will constantly be getting dirty and in need of a wash. While it can seem frustrating being a stay at home mom having to do the same task over and over, it doesn’t normally take a lot of brain space.

Try and take those moments to connect to a child, let them dry and have a chat with them. Or maybe you can meditate on a quote or bible verse while folding laundry. It can be a time of peace if you wish it to be. Those things need to get done either way it’s the attitude we go into it with that makes it a pro or con.

4. You Don’t Feel Appreciated

I honestly feel being a stay at home mom is one of the least appreciated jobs of our times! Maybe some husband and children thank their mothers regularly for the meals they make and the time they take to care for them and the house but honestly it’s just to be expected.

There normally isn’t anyone cheering you on regularly, saying what a wonderful job you are doing and praising your every effort. It just goes unnoticed and is expected of you to do cook, clean, raise the children and that’s it.

There isn’t going to be a raise if you do an exceptional job per say but hopefully in the long run your family will appreciate it, and you will make many amazing memories.

Conclusion

There are many benefits and drawback to being a stay at home mom. I hope this blog has given you some insight into whether this is something you can do or not. Let me know in the comments any other benefits or drawbacks you have found but let’s try and keep it positive. Have a lovely day and remember you are never alone!