Working Mom Vs. Stay at Home Mom

Cole & Sid - 2011

I’m torn between wanting to be at home with Sidney, and wanting to work. I love making my own money, being independent and having a life of my own, but I miss Sidney too much when I’m out at work. Now that she’s in school full-time it’s not so bad when I’m working during the day, but most of the jobs I get include weekends and evenings. 

My Experience

The best part of working:

• It gets me out of the house
• It gives me a life of my own
• It gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride
• I get to meet new people
• It gives me my own income and financial independence
• I feel like a good role model

I've enjoyed every job I've had for different reasons. I love getting out of the house and making new friends and acquaintances. I can escape my home life when I am in desperate need of a break and go to work. The best part about working though, is making money! You have to admit, having your own money is awesome. You earned it, and can spend it on whatever you want whether it's a new pair of shoes or tucked safely away in your savings. Not to mention, I really do feel like a good role model to Sidney when I go to work. She especially liked it when I was working in the Seafood department at Zehrs because she was able to see the lobsters up close. 

The worst part of working:

• Time away from Sidney
• Housework tends to get behind
• Eat out more often
• Not there for Sidney
• Don’t get enough down time

It was really hard working full-time this summer and having to miss out on all the fun stuff! Like playing in the sprinklers at the park, having picnics and going to the beach. Instead, when I'm at work I just get to hear about it, and see pictures of Sidney enjoying her time with someone else. It's really hard to go to work when Sidney's sick and leave her with my Grandma, when all I want to do is cuddle her. 

The best part of staying at home:

• I get all the housework done regularly
• Healthy meals get made daily
• I get to write every day
• I can be home with Sidney if she gets sick 
• I love being able to drop her off at school and pick her up
• I’m home with Sidney (can’t beat that!)

Staying at home is so much fun because we get to bake, make crafts, play outside and go on adventures. I can get all the laundry done, make healthy meals every night and keep up with all the other housework. I also get to spend time working on my Etsy shop and my writing. I absolutely love walking Sidney to school every morning, and picking her up afterwards. It's such a good feeling to walk her home and hear all about her day at school. 

The worst part of staying at home:

• I get bored really easily
• I feel like I don’t have a life purpose
• I eventually get depressed

I don't know if anyone can relate to this, but when I go more than a week or two without working now that Sidney is in school full-time I start to get depressed! I feel trapped in my house, with nothing to do and feel so unimportant and worthless. It's a weird feeling, and while a lot of people would enjoy the free time it drives me bonkers. I get anxiety from too much spare time because I get bored quickly. I need to constantly be doing things.

Other Parents

Everyone has different opinions when it comes to being a stay-at-home parent, or a working parent, and it’s nothing new. Even in today’s society working moms and stay-at-home moms are judging each other, and looking down on one another. Not all, but some. 

I for one think that it depends on the family, and the individual. It’s a personal choice, one that a lot of parents don’t have. It’s difficult in today’s society to live comfortably on one income which is why a lot of family’s have two working parents. Single parents don’t even have an option. 

For myself, I need to make money. I’m okay with working part-time (as long as it's between 20 and 30 hours weekly) because I don’t need a lot of money and I enjoy being able to do housework and be at home some of the time.

My biggest problem now? Finding a job! 

What are your opinions on this topic? Do you prefer being a stay-at-home parent? Or a working parent?

Thanks, 

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