Should I quit my job & stay home with kids?

Answer 1

Depends on the situation, can you afford it? Do you have a partner with a good income? Then by all means, yes! I wish I could, I feel I miss so much working. I would love to be able to take kids to school, be there when they get home, keep the house clean, etc...But I also feel I am a good parent & give my kids all I can...

Answer 2

If you and your partner can afford to have one of you stay home with the kids then by all means do it. I became a SAHM a little over a year ago, and don't let anyone fool you, it can be difficult, but it is ultimately very rewarding. You need to set a budget and stick to it and things may be tight in the beginning (that can really very though depending on your circumstances), among other things. Some people will look at you like you are lazy and make snide comments about being a glorified maid (which you aren't). Over all though I love not having to explain to my boss why I need to leave work (my kid is sick, the daycare lady has a sick kid, teacher need to have a conference, school program, Dr apt. the list goes on and on and I don't have to feel guilty about putting work before my kid for any reason no matter how lame it is). This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to making a invaluable decision the will affect your whole family, and nobody can make that decision for you, and while you will get opinions and stories from loads of people, the only ones that matter are those of you and your family, best of luck to you.

Answer 3

I don't think anyone here can answer that for you. It depends on your circumstances. Is there someone to watch the kids? Does your family depend on your income solely or even a little?

I was in the same predicament. I have a four month old son and four weeks after he was born, I had to go back to work. ((I worked up until I was nine months)). We really needed the money so it wasn't like I really considered it an option.

Here lately, after paying $125 a week for a babysitter and $80 a week in gas because of where the sitter lives and where I work, I realized that I was bringing home less money than I was paying out. So I put in my two weeks notice.

I can do that now without feeling guilty because we don't depend on me for a second income anymore. My fiance is doing a lot better and making more money now.

If you are good financially, then you stay at home and have a great time with your kids because I know I will be doing the same.

Answer 4

As a woman who has done this, let me tell you it is hard. You have to seriously consider the pros and cons of working and staying home. What most people won't tell you is the utter abandonment you feel when you become an at home mom. Suddenly you don't have adults to talk to, it is harder to make friends, you lose the friends you have, depression can set in. Those are the downsides.

The upside, you are home when your kids get home from school, don't have to pay a babysitter or take off when smaller children are off of school (spring break, winter break, summer, etc.), you don't have to take off work when kids are sick, you can go shopping during the day when the stores are MUCH less crowded, you can teach your children so they are ahead of the curve when they enter school (or graduate early if you are homeschooling), you can start or continue a hobby.

Like I said, there are good things and bad things about leaving work to stay home. Make sure you talk to your spouse about everything first before you make the decision. It is hard to get back into the work force after you've been out of it for a couple years. Good Luck

Answer 5

You have a lot of answers to this question, but there is something else to consider aside from finances. After you have evaluated whether or not you can financially afford to stay home, consider whether or not you have the patience and temperament for it. Being a stay at home parent is rewarding, but can also be very stressful. Being with the kids 24/7 is hard and if you do not devote time for adult activities both daily (30 min) and weekly (movies, dinner, evening w/friends, etc.) you could lose patience with your situation. Evaluate all of these things and then come to a decision based on what is best for you and your family. Good luck!

Answer 6

If you are financially able to do it, then by all means stay at home with the kids. You may have to cut corners, drive an older car etc but it is so worth it. You may even be able to do something part time with the kids at home to earn some extra bucks.

I stayed at home with our kids and did sewing on the side. It was the best investment I've ever made. Do you want to raise your kids or do you want someone else to? Your kids will be much happier to have you home and have less "stuff" than to have you gone at work.

You only have a short period of time to influence them, stay home and take that opportunity, it is a priceless gift for both you and the children.

Answer 7

I think that if you can work some things around in your budget and can afford it financially, then definitely YES! I don't look down on people who work. You do what you have to. But if it's possible to stay home, I think it is very beneficial to the kids. They need that kind of security and attention from their parents.

I am in no way putting down working parents or daycare. But every child I have personally come in contact with whom have spent a lot of time in daycare has "issues". They have been attention deprived and seek inappropriate ways to get attention. Also, they pick up way too much from other kids. I know, I know, they are going to learn things from the other kids in school anyway. But if the child is too young for school, then that gives the parents a chance to teach right from wrong and respect of others. There are plenty of other activities to utilize for socialization.

I worked up until my daughter was born. My husband even changed jobs so we could afford for me to stay home. Money is tight, but I have been here to see all of her first. I wouldn't trade that for anything else in the world!

Answer 8

I can tell you that I quit my job when I had my daughter. She's two now and very articulate. She's potty trained and well behaved most of the time. Also, we are very short of money. We don't have a car payment or bills other than two credit cards and utilities. We are poor. we have been living on hamburger and wic (government) food. Sometimes my mom helps out with groceries so we can have nicer food. I feel it is very rewarding to stay home with my daughter. I have lots of time for my favorite hobbies, cooking(though cheaply) and knitting (also cheaply).
I wouldn't change a thing, but it's hard work. It's harder taking care of my daughter at home than it was doing my old job(lending and collections). I love it though. I wouldn't go back to work now unless I had to.

Answer 9

Well, what do you want to do? Can you afford to, is it more economically feasable to stay home or work and pay for childcare? There are so many questions you need to ask yourself before making a big decision like this. I had to ask myself the same questions. I'm a stay at home mom now, but at this moment for me, it's a lot better to stay at home rather than work just to pay for childcare and gas. Ultimately that is what I would be doing if I went back to work right now. So instead I go to school full time online. It works out great for me. But that is my own personal situation. Any mom who stays at home needs to decide is it best for her and her circumstances. As far as your children and what's best for them, it just depends on what the parent feels is best for them. Only you and your spouse can decide if it is best for you to be a stay at home mom or not. One option you have, try it out for a while, if it works and you are happy, then stick with it, if not then go back to work.

Answer 10

If you are working because you must work for financial reasons then make a plan and see how you can make it financially should you decide to quit.
If you can make ends meet even with some scrimping and pinching without working, I would quit.
You have kids who are your treasures in life, the time you get with them even when they get on your nerves is time they need from you and time that you will grow to cherish literally.
I work from home when I can, its not as easy as it seems but Im around for my daughter and that keeps me at ease.