Stay-at-Home Mom, or Working-Mom - is One Better Than the Other?

What a touchy subject. We could go on and on about the pros and cons of staying home with your kids and going back to work. Which decision is best for you? for your kids? Whatever decision you make, it has to be what YOU believe will work BEST for you and your family. This does not just encompass the financial issues, but also the emotional and mental issues as well. It's possible that many women believe that being home with their kids is the best idea, but a few months of being cooped up in the house brings about second thoughts. Other mothers go back to work, only to realize they miss their kids dearly and simply can't get through the work-day without overwhelming feelings of guilt and anxiety.

Guess what? There is no right or wrong answer. In fact, it usually takes trial and error to figure out what is right for every one, including YOU - the mom. When I had my son coming up on one year ago, we decided that I would stay home with him. I had been laid off of my job a few months earlier anyway, so staying home was a good idea at the time. Now, I must tell you that being home with the baby was not that hard, as he wasn't much of a crier and wasn't overly fussy. I mean, I was beyond exhausted due to sleepless nights, but he was pretty happy so I wasn't freaking out about a colicky baby. Fast forward a couple months and my husband starts saying things like, "you got 1 month left!" meaning, 1 month of "maternity leave". He apparently wanted me to get a job. At first I rebelled, thinking, but we decided I'd stay HOME! I was furious. However, another month down the road and I wanted to RIP my hair out. It was a tough time in my life for numerous reasons, and I was on an emotional roller coaster in my marriage and...well...in my own mind. I ended up going back to work when my baby was about 4 1/2 months old, and let me tell you, it was a godsend. I taught part-time, 2-3 days a week, in the public schools. I can't TELL you how great it was to have alone time, meaning to my life (other than "mommy"), and the ability to speak to adults. Now that it is summer, I am not working-but I am going to visit family in a few weeks, and by the time I get back school will be just about ready to start up again. I am SO EXCITED to start work back up, and will probably bump my schedule up to 3-4 days a week. Now the school days are not super long, so it's not like I am gone ALL day. Plus, I still get the weekends and then 1-2 days during the week with my child. I think that's substantial, don't you?

Not only do I like working because it gets me out of the house and into the real world, but having a little extra money is great too. I am so lucky that I have a husband who makes enough money to support us, so that I don't have to work full-time. However, by me working, I can pay a couple bills, buy groceries, and have some spending money. Talk about having some self-worth, right?

So which is better, staying home, or working? There is no right answer, and it depends on your personal circumstance. Really think about where your happiness lies. Your child will be fine no matter what you choose, as long as you have quality time with your child when you ARE available. Parenting is difficult, and I feel like people will blame you for something no matter WHAT you do! So do what makes you happy, and you'll likely produce a happy kid!