Should I Go Back to Work?

Q: Should I go back to work or be a stay at home parent?

A: This is one of the biggest questions that new moms face. On one hand, staying at home with the baby provides a great way to bond with your child, and raise them yourself. On the other, working means you have more money (which ALWAYS helps when you have a baby), and it provides you with the freedom and independence that being a stay at home mom does not. You also connect socially with other people on a whole other level. the choice is ultimately up to you. You should make a list of the pros and cons of each, cross out what cancels out on your list, and you will be left with your answer. Are you working just to pay for a sitter? Maybe you should consider staying at home. I did work with a woman, however, who made $25.00 a month after she paid the babysitter for all of her kids. She said she was working because she was going crazy at home and needed the mental break. If it were me personally, I would rather be at home with my daughter and take the mental break from work. Every woman is different, and there is no wrong answer. You also have to assess whether or not you can financially afford to take time off of work and be a stay at home mom. That being said, there are lots of ways to make money as a stay at some mom. I will have a follow-up post on the ways that stay at home moms can earn some extra income. Also, if you are married, you need to have a deep conversation with your spouse or significant other about staying at home to raise the baby. a lot of spouses do not realize how much work it is to raise a child and care for a home, and it is important that they do not feel like they are doing all of the work while you vacation at home. If anyone knows anything, it is that being a mom is NOT a vacation. Moms are caretakers, secretaries, organizers, cooks, housekeepers, accountants, nurses, psychologists...all in one day, and I could go on. There is no 9-5 job as a mom! Check back for a follow up post of ways to earn extra income as a stay at home mom.