18 Fantastic Reasons To Be A Stay-At-Home Mom

Becoming a stay-at-home mom is something that many women will think about during pregnancy or maternity leave. Even if you never thought you would want to be a stay-at-home mom before getting pregnant, you might find that you’re starting to change your mind.  

Making the change to leave your job and stay home with your child is a big decision. Most families worry about switching to one income. But, it’s also a massive lifestyle change that can sometimes make you feel on the fence. 

In this article, you’ll find my top reasons to be a stay-at-home mom. These reasons are not meant to pass judgment onto working moms. These are simply reasons why I cherish my decision to be a stay-at-home mom, even during the rough days of toddlerhood. 

Also, these reasons to be a stay-at-home mom aren’t only for moms. These are some benefits that any parent will experience while staying home with their child, whether they are a mom or a dad.

1. You Won’t Miss Any Milestones

One of the best things about being a stay-at-home parent is that you won’t miss any of your child’s milestones. You’ll be there when your little one shows their first genuine smile, says their first word and takes their first step.

As the mom of a toddler, I can tell you that the first year of your baby’s life will fly by. Your baby goes through so many developmental changes in their first year. It’s incredible to watch them grow without missing any details!

2. Your Child Get’s Undivided Attention

While there are times that you have to do chores around the house or take time for yourself, your child still get’s your full attention every day. If your child needs you, you can stop what you’re doing and go to them.  

Not to mention, the love that you put into your child’s care is immeasurable compared to a nanny or daycare. You will have so many opportunities to bond with your child every day.

3. It Can Be More Affordable

When you sit down and go over your budget, you might find that staying home with your child and going to one income might be cheaper or about the same as working full-time and paying for daycare.  

Where I live, a quality, full-time daycare costs almost as much as what I was making working full-time. My husband and I decided to figure out what we could cut out of our budget instead of paying the high child care fees.  

On top of not having to pay for daycare, there are many other things that you will save money on by staying home. For instance, when you don’t have to travel to work every day, you save money on gas. And if you eat lunch out during the workweek, you’ll save even more by eating at home.

You’ll also love: How To Have A Baby On A Budget

4. It’s Not A Career-Ender

If you’re worried that leaving your job will end the hard work that you’ve put in to get where you are in your career, know that this change doesn’t have to be permanent. You can stay home with your child until they are preschool age or until they get into kindergarten. 

Plus, your knowledge and credentials don’t just disappear after being a stay-at-home mom for however many years. You can always get back out there whenever you feel necessary. 

5. You Won’t Have Work-Related Stress

Whether you have a high-stress job or work with stressful, dramatic people, you won’t have to worry about any of that when you’re a stay-at-home parent.

Now don’t get me wrong; not every day as a stay-at-home mom is a walk in the park. There are days when you’re sleep-deprived and dealing with tantrums. But as I said earlier, the good days massively outweigh the bad. 

6. It’s Rewarding

One of the top reasons to be a stay-at-home mom is that it is one of the most rewarding things. Knowing that your child is getting the special care that only you can give them, and watching them thrive because of it, will make your heart burst with happiness. 

Not only will you be taking care of your child, but you will also be taking care of your household. Of course, not every chore in the house will fall on you; your partner will still need to help you out with some things. (Don’t try to do everything! It will most likely lead to mom burnout, so it’s best to ask for help!)

One reason I have enjoyed taking care of our household is that chores no longer get put off. When my husband and I worked full time, chores often fell to the back burner because we were tired or wanted to do something fun. 

After becoming a stay-at-home mom, I can keep up with chores, and things like dishes or laundry don’t pile up. Plus, as my toddler gets older, he loves to pitch in and help around the house. There are many chores that toddlers can do, and he gets a sense of accomplishment after helping.

And lastly, having more time to focus on making my family healthy meals is very rewarding. We save money from not eating out so often, and we feel better and more energized! 

7. Flexible Schedule

Another great reason to be a stay-at-home mom is that you’ll have a flexible schedule.  

When you become a parent, having the ability to stay flexible in your day-to-day life can make everything a bit easier. There will be times when you have specific plans that you have to change because your child doesn’t feel good or you’re having a rough day. Being able to roll with the punches and do what’s best at the moment is essential! 

Plus, making doctor appointments and planning activities is a breeze when you stay home with your child. There will be no more checking with your partner or work schedule to see who or when you can take your child to a check-up. 

8. Easy To Create A Routine That Your Child Can Thrive On

Speaking of schedules, another great benefit of staying home with your child is that you can create the perfect routine for them. 

Many children thrive on routines, especially when they are young. Being at home with your child will ensure that you can stick to their routine most days of the week. This can lead to fewer meltdowns or tantrums.

9. No Hectic Mornings!

Before I had my son, I remember listening to coworkers talk about how miserable their morning was trying to get their kids ready for daycare. I don’t know about you, but I’m not particularly a morning person, and hectic mornings sound awful.

Another great reason to be a stay-at-home mom is that your mornings can be relatively calm. For example, every morning, my husband and I take turns getting ready for the day before he goes to work. Then, most days, we play until breakfast time and then cuddle and watch a cartoon. 

Indeed, not every morning is calm. Some mornings are cranky or sleepy. But I do cherish having these relaxed mornings with my kiddo.

10. You’re Their First Teacher

Another one of the rewarding reasons to be a stay-at-home mom is that you are your child’s first teacher. Not only will you teach your child things like counting or the ABCs, but you will also be the one teaching them values and other life skills.

Plus, watching your child’s face light up after learning something new is priceless! 

You’ll also love: The Best Things To Teach Your 1-Year-Old

11. You Know What Your Child Is Exposed To Each Day

These days, it can seem like everything is trying to rush kids into growing up. With social media targeting kids more and more frequently, it’s essential to know exactly what your child is exposed to. 

When you’re a stay-at-home parent, you can ensure that the shows or movies your child is watching are appropriate. Plus, you will know that they are getting plenty of other screen-free activities throughout the day.  

Also, you’ll know that they are getting healthy food options and that they aren’t being exposed to any language that you disapprove of.  

12. Discipline Can Be Easier To Teach

When teaching your child discipline, consistency is crucial! If you are the one who is primarily with your child, you can ensure that your kiddo is disciplined according to your standards every single day.

Not to mention, when you can be consistent in your discipline, your child will start to pick up your rules and boundaries a bit easier.  

When your child is in someone else’s care for most of the week, that person might not know how you want your child disciplined. Or, they might let your child do things that they aren’t supposed to at home.

This can lead to some struggles when your child comes home because they don’t necessarily know why something is okay at daycare but not at home.  

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• Easy Morning Routines for Stay-At-Home Moms

13. Breastfeeding Is Straightforward At Home

If you choose to breastfeed your child, you might find that pumping at work is a bit of a process. Being able to breastfeed in your home most of the time is another simple benefit of staying home with your baby.

Now, don’t get me wrong; while pumping is hard work, it’s still doable. I pumped at work for about nine months, and it’s not a big deal when you’re committed to breastfeeding. 

But when you can breastfeed from home, you don’t have the hassle of washing your pump parts and storing milk. You can grab your baby, feed them, and then go about your day. 

14. Fewer Sick Days

If you have friends whose children are in daycare, you might have heard plenty of complaints about their kids getting sick frequently.  

According to Duke Health, children get an average of six to eight upper respiratory infections per year. It makes sense that children in daycare get sick more often because they don’t have concerns about proper hygiene. 

15. More Chances To Rest After Hard Nights

Whether you work or not, you will have sleepless nights. Of course, these hard nights are typically more frequent when you have an infant. But, plenty of kids aren’t the best sleepers well into toddlerhood. 

When you’re a stay-at-home mom, you get more opportunities to rest after tough nights. You can relax during your child’s naptimes, and depending on the job, you might be able to sit more at home than you would have at work.

16. You Have An Easier Opportunity To Homeschool

Once you get the chance to stay home with your child and know how to make it work with your budget, it can open your point of view on homeschooling. 

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I never gave much thought to homeschooling. Now that we know how to live on one income, my husband and I are leaning towards homeschooling more and more.  

Keep in mind that choosing to homeschool can be a whole other massive decision to make. But, knowing that you are financially able to can be reassuring!

17. No Dress Code

Having no dress code to follow certainly isn’t a sole reason to be a stay-at-home mom, but it’s definitely a perk! 

While getting dressed every morning is on my list of tips for stay-at-home moms, that doesn’t mean you have to wear anything fancy. As long as you get out of your pajamas, you will feel better about yourself! 

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I worked in banking. It’s so nice not to have to wear dress slacks every day! 

18. You Won’t Regret Staying Home

Lastly, the most important reason to be a stay-at-home mom is that you won’t regret your decision. Even if you can only be a stay-at-home mom for a little while, you will never feel like you made a mistake. 

As I’ve said before, your children grow up so quickly, and you don’t get that time back. It’s invaluable to spend as much time as possible with them. 

I hope these reasons to be a stay-at-home mom will help you make this big decision for your family! Just know that even though there can be hard or even lonely days at times, staying home with your child and spending so much precious time with them outweighs any tough day.

Before you go, check out these related articles:

• Birthday Traditions To Start With Your Kids
• The Best Hobbies For Busy Moms
• Easy Ways To Clean Baby Toys
• Simple Postpartum Weight Loss Tips For New Moms
• Memorable Mother’s Day Interview Questions For Kids

Are you currently or wanting to be a stay-at-home mom? I would love to know your top reasons to be a stay-at-home mom in the comments below!

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