Before you decide to stay at home with your children, it’s important to know all the pros and cons of being a stay-at-home mom. I created this list based on my experience, research, and opinions from my fellow sahm friends. This list will give you the truth about the benefits and disadvantages of being a stay-at-home mom.
Financial Pros and Cons of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Pros
- No need to worry about daycare expenses
- No commute- no transportation costs
- You can contribute to household income by part-time job or freelance work
- You don’t have to pay others to do what you can do best
- You may get tax credits or deductions
- You will avoid work-related expenses (e.g., professional clothing, lunches, commuting)
- You don’t need to worry about asking your boss for day off every time your child is sick
You can focus on managing household budget and savings
Cons
- You will lose personal income
- Being one income family (check strategies for living on one income)
- It will affect your career advancement and income potential
- You will be dependent on your husband’s income
- Forget about employer benefits like healthcare, social security, retirement
- You may experience financial strain in the case of a divorce or spouse’s job loss
- You will sacrifice your financial independence
- It might impact your long-term wealth building
Professional Pros and Cons of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Pros
- You can pursue a new career or education
- You will build skills like time management, multitasking, communication, problem-solving, creativity
- You can support your partner’s career growth
- It will give you a Break from stress from work-related demands
- You can build new networking opportunities
- Your experiences as SAHM can positively influence your career choices
Cons
- Career gaps may affect long-term job prospects
- Staying at home will mess with your professional identity
- You may have difficulty re-entering the workforce due to outdated skills
- There are chances for income inequality in the household
- You will have less time for personal education and career-related courses
- There will be limited opportunities for professional development
Educational Pros and Cons of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Pros
- Your child’s school performance may improve
- You get more time to assist with children’s homework and education
- You are in control of your child’s learning environment
- You have the ability to homeschool your kids or enroll them in alternative education programs
- Your flexible schedule lets you attend school events and parent-teacher meetings
- You can pursue child’s interests and match lessons to your child’s learning styles.
Cons
- You may unintentionally impart your own biases or beliefs into your child’s education, potentially limiting exposure to alternative perspectives
- Children might not develop the same level of independence they would gain in a school environment
- Kids may have limited exposure to different teaching styles that they might get in a formal educational setting
- Juggling childcare and housework with educational pursuits is exhausting
Social Pros and Cons of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Pros
- You get an opportunity to find new mom friends (check how to make mom friends)
- You can start networking with new parents friends
- You may find joy in attending new events with your kids
- Your relationship with your spouse can improve
Cons
- Social isolation and loneliness are real
- Strain on your relationship with your spouse is a strong possibility
- Lack of adult interaction and intellectual stimulation is no fun
- Loss of contact with your old friends can be hurtful
- Pressure to justify or explain your choice to others can get tiring
Emotional Pros and Cons of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Pros
- You may develop a sense of purpose and satisfaction
- You can be a positive role model for your kids
- You can create plenty of quality time with your children
- You will be able to closely track your child’s development
- The opportunity to be actively involved in their daily lives is priceless
- You will have an opportunity to connect with nature more often
- You may have less guilt and anxiety than working moms
- It can help you develop resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenges
- You will learn patience, empathy, selflessness and gratitude
- You will be able to create a sense of emotional security for your children
- If your husband sees your sacrifices and hard work he may have more appreciation for you
Cons
- You may develop feelings of unfulfillment
- Most likely you will experience criticism or judgment from others
- You will have hardly any time alone
- There is a possibility of loss of personal identity beyond motherhood
- There is a big responsibility and pressure on the family’s health, well-being, finances, and all
- You will be physically exhausted and overwhelmed
- You often may feel underestimated or unappreciated
- You may experience a lot of sadness, anger, and anxiety which may lead to parental burnout and depression
- It’s mentally and emotionally taxing (make sure you give emotional self-care ideas a try)
- If you end up in a bad marriage, you may have difficulty to divorce
- It never gets easier. It’s just different, but not easier
Household Management-Pros and Cons of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Pros
- You are in control over household routines and schedules
- You will get more time for cooking and meal planning
- You will have an opportunity to teach children life skills and responsibility
- You have the flexibility to engage in meaningful, enriching activities and conversations with your kids
- You can keep your kids away from sick people. Having a sick child every other week is no fun
Cons
- Heavy workload and little downtime are a reality
- There is a lack of recognition for domestic labor
- You may have difficulty in finding time for self-care and personal hobbies
- Responsibility for most or all household chores is on you
- The pressure of meeting societal expectations of a “perfect” home is still there
Organizing family vacation and holidays can be overwhelming
Takeaway
There are so many pros and cons of being a stay-at-home mom. I believe the benefits overcome the disadvantages and you can always find solutions to all the cons to make your situation good. Your time is valuable, so I did my best to make this list comprehensive, so you don’t have to do additional research. If there is anything you can think of, please let me know in the comment section below.
