I want to be a stay at home mom more than anything in the world. My husband wants to start our family right now. I need some honest opinions if we will be able to make it or not. He makes approx 2,600 a month. I figured we need 2,000 to pay all our necessary bills. This does not include food, gas etc. He wants this so bad, and keeps telling my we will be fine financially, but I don’t know. I trust him, but its a huge decision. What if we cant do it, and then I don’t have a job to go back to? I'm not sure how other families do it. We have never lived off of less than 3,000 a month, but we have always had extra spending money. Suggestions, thoughts, opinions please?
2006-08-02 11:58:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I have been a say at home mom for the last 7 years, and let me start by saying that it is the HARDEST job I have ever had in my life. But I would not trade it for the world. Having a family will cut into any "spending money" that you have now, so when there is only 1 income of course, you will have even less. Where there is a will, there is a way. The best advice that I can offer you is to make up a budget that uses only HIS income. Live by it STRICKLY for several months, and at that time make your decision. That way you will not be without a job, and you will both have a better idea how it would be if there was only 1 income. Also, if it works out for you, the money that you have not been relying on ( your income from the several months) can be put to a new use, i.e. savings, baby items, paying off debt, ect.
2006-08-02 12:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you really want too than you could probably make it work. I am not exactly a stay-at-home mom entirely because I do work 1 day a week (on my hubby's day off when he can watch baby) ... the extra income from just one day a week covers groceries... so that helps a lot.
If you plan in advance, budget, cut out all unnecessary expenses and frills than I'm sure you could manage. But you have to decide if you can live without the extras. It might be stressful at times. Financial problems are hard on a relationship too. There are a lot of factors to consider but it sounds as though you're already thinking of and discussing these. I think it's great that you're talking about all of this stuff BEFORE having kids. Very smart!
In my opinion it is completely worth it to me to be around my little guy. I realize that not everyone can afford it though and I feel blessed to be able to stay at home. I wish you the best of luck. I think stay-at-home Mom is the most important job in the world!
2006-08-02 19:10:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you start your family you ought to consider that it is expensive. Diapers are needed for the first 2-3 years (and you need to buy the decent ones because the store brands are so cheap that they cause rashes!), if you don't breast feed formula is expensive, clothes can be expensive, you have to have a good family insurance to have for your prenatal visits and the birth, and then all the well baby check-ups and shots in the first year. These examples are just the basics. If you are looking at the finances it is never a good time because there is always going to be an extra expense with our lives, but if you look at the benefits of raising a child out of love then things work out no matter what the cost is!
2006-08-02 19:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think how much extra you can give to your kids if you work. ON just one income can you afford it if your husband gets sick and misses several days of work. What if one of your kids gets sick or hurt, can you afford the doctor bills? What about diapers and formula is expensive, and what if your child needs a special formula. One of mine did, he was premature, in 4 months I had spent $3200.00 on just formula. If your car breaks down or you need a new wash machine. Do you have money put back for these emergencies. Can you afford to give your kids a nice birthday party? If your kids want to play ball and they need a uniform and equipment, can you afford this? Can you afford to take a vacation. What about college fund? What if one of your kids needs braces, or knee braces, hearing aids. Dont you think you would be best to at least work part time and give your family a little extra. By the figures you gave above I dont see how you could make it on that alone. Money problems in a marriage is one of the #1 reason for arguments that lead to divorce. There are benefits to working, you have contact with adults and not just kids all day. I have been a stay at home mom and a part time working mom. I realilized that being away from my kids a few hours a day a couple times a week made the days together special, and we were glad to see each other. Nothing is better then going to the door to pick your kids up and have them run into your arms. Kids needed a break from me as much as I did them. And was nice for them to interact with other kids. It also made it easier to be away from me longer when they started school. I will take the part time working mom any day.. I have 6 kids and wish I could have had more.
2006-08-02 19:13:50 · answer #4 · answered by Mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are to ask me, I will not stay home. First you used to spent using your own money buying many things you like. Here you will stay home and tighten your belt by budgeting the money you will received. First six months you might be irritated but you will tolerate it then you will start complaining and quarrel might arises. Don't ever think that LOVE conquers all...... financial is also a qauge to the stability of a Family.
2006-08-02 19:18:03 · answer #5 · answered by ETan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you will make it fine.You will struggle here and there but everybody does.i was working overnight and my husband works day until someone hit me when i was at a red light.so i was off work for 3months and i lost my job because of it.now my husband is the only one working until i get a car and insurance settles. we are doing fine with paying bills and other stuff.we do struggle here and there but if it comes to that just get or pay whats necessary first like food,place to live,things you really need instead of want .but i think you and your husband can do it if you really want to stay home with your kids they are number 1.
2006-08-02 19:18:37 · answer #6 · answered by dixierose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go back to home with out hesitation you must act as the mom of the house and the gate keeper of it this is your job and you can work from home if you need for money even making cookies and try to sell it this is your golden chance to have a great family as you want
2006-08-02 19:14:04 · answer #7 · answered by SOMY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it sounds like you may need to find a way to lessen those bills! I plan to be a stay at home mom, too, and we have decided to wait until he gets a few more raises (a few years).
2006-08-02 19:07:50 · answer #8 · answered by ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
raising a child is hard i suggest go to work because their is alot more bills once u have a baby and then theres no guarantee your hubby will stick around then what u screwed
2006-08-02 21:57:54 · answer #9 · answered by heather f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋