What do you think: Stay at home mom versus working moms?

Question

Do you think that a working mother is less of a person than a stay at home mother? Or do you think they are a bad person for having to go to work each day? I know lots of people have different views on this and I'm curious what people have to say about it.

So what's your take? Do you have an opinion of a working mom versus a stay at home mom? Please explain.

Thanks!

Sorry, I should have included that staying at home doesn't mean you sit on your butt all day. We all know this isn't true! Stay at home moms work a lot throughout the day taking care of kids/house/laundry but I meant literally speaking: staying at home vs being at work.

I apologize if anyone is insulted even though I tried my best to keep it even which I thought I did. But I can't please everyone so again, I apologize if you were offended. I actually posted this because I've responded to some questions in the past and it seemed that people would rate you based upon your response as a working mom vs stay at home mom. Or as a person who has your child in daycare vs one who stays at home with kids. And this was really just a test for that. It appears that people really do feel that way because I noticed on some of the ratings that people were rated a thumbs down based upon their response. I was curious....I'm a working Mom and I have friends who are stay at home Mom's. I don't think anything more or less of either. If I could financially afford to stay at home, I would. But that's not an option for my family. I think it's great if you are one of those that stays home with your kids. A Mom is a Mom whether your home all day or at work all day....

Answer 1

I am a working mother and I do not look down on mothers who stay home. Some women have to work to support families, while some have enough money to stay at home. I think both moms have an important job, I don't see why someone would look down on either. I am sure there are alot of women out there who would LOVE to stay at home with their children, but some can't afford to.

Answer 2

After I have my first baby in March, I will be going back to work full time for the following reasons:

1) The money- I make close to 40g a year with the possibility of a promotion which would increase my pay by 15g/yr. Quitting my job would wreak havoc on my household even though my hubby makes a decent living as well. With the mortgage, cars, bills, etc. it's not an option.

2)I LIKE working and and have 11 years with my company. (I'm only 29) Great benefits, 4 weeks vacay,401k etc. Why in the world would I want to start from scratch again? I like the fact that i contribute a paycheck to the household and that I have my own retirement savings. What if, God forbid, my hubby would pass away or leave me, and i was not working? I feel like you should always have a backup plan for those unexpected circumstances.

So that is my rational for me staying with my job. My child will always come first in our lives. The SAHM and WM argument shouldn't even be an argument. Every family has different circumstances and belief systems. I don't think one way is better than the other. As long as you are a loving, supportive, and caring parent to your child, then they will turn out fine.

Answer 3

Some women have to work to help support their families and others choose a career. I don't see working mothers any different than i do SAHM. I'm a SAHM and i work my rear off. I give the working parents props because don't see how they keep everything balanced. LOL they must be more organized than i am. I will be forever grateful for my husband working so hard to i can stay at home and raise our children through their formative years. We were both raised in 2 working parent homes and we wanted our children to have the benefit of having a parent there with them all the time until they start school.

Working moms, i give you a ton of respect, i don't see how you manage to work 8 hours then come home make dinner and do all the other housework and still manage to smile!

Every ones parenting style is different as is every ones family.

Answer 4

I was a working mom through my 1st 3 children and through my 4th pregnancy. When we lost our son at 20 weeks I became a stay at home mom. Now 1 year ago I opened my own business and am a work at home mom.

I don't think one is better than the other. I was a single mom through my first 3 children and had no choice but to work. I would have to say that I myself am Happier being at home with my children, i've now realized how much I missed out on with the first 3, but i do not think that either sahm or wohm is better or worse than the other.

And to anyone who says a mother that works outside of the home is a bad mom neglecting their kids, some people have no choice, for some it's either work out of the home, or sit home and be on welfare.

Answer 5

I understand some women HAVE to work in order to provide for their families. When I was pregnant with my 1st, I started working from home so I could spend time with her. When she was almost 2, I took a part-time job just for the money (it's been a year since then). I'm due in April w/ #2 and I plan on working at home again so I can be a stay-at-home/work-at-home mother. I want to be there for my kids as much as possible. Regarding your additional notes, I know a mom works keeping the house clean but I was actually doing a job at home (medical transcription, virtual admin assistant, word processing, etc).

Answer 6

i think all women should do what works for them. it is important to me to be a stay at home mom because i feel i can be more involved and available and by doing so help them avoid drugs and so much other trouble that i got into as a teen (my mom was a single mom who worked all day). i do not look down on working mothers. i am thankfull every day that i dont have to go to work and then come home and do the work that needs to be done here. i have so much housework and other things to be done i cant imagine how a working mother works her 8 or more hours and then still cleans house and makes dinner and spends time with the kids. that has to be hard.

Answer 7

I stay at home with my 16 mos old daughter and I love it. I understand that it is not for everyone. There are times when I wished that I worked bc we just moved out of state and do not know a soul here. If I had a job, I would have friends or at least acquaintances. It does get lonely. But my husband and I both feel more comfortable with me staying home to take care of her rather than to leave her in the care of strangers. I also understand many women cannot afford to stay home or some simply do not want to. To each their own. I do not think less of anyone esp over the issue of if they stay home or work outside the home.

Answer 8

I think you have to be a strong woman to do either of these options. It really depends on the person. Some moms are better moms because they go to work everyday while it works better for some people to stay home with their children. I stay at home but I think highly of both choices and I am fortunate to have the option.

Answer 9

You know, I always dreamed of being a stay at home mother.... when my oldest was 4 months old, I was going nuts... I never left the house! I went back to work part time, and was much happier, and a better mother to my son. I am now pregnant with my 4th child, and if it wasn't for part time work (by part time I mean 2 or 3 shifts a week), I would go nuts.

Now, I commend women who can stay home and be the housewife and spend the time with their children, and not feel like I did. They are doing great, and I'm sure their family is happy to spend the time together.

I commend women who go back to work with infants.... whether it's part time or full time.... whether it's for similar reasons to me (I love my children, but I need a break sometimes) or because their family needs the work, it's a hard thing for them to do. Leaving your baby at home for X amount of hours each day isn't easy. I miss my kids so much when I'm at work, but I can't sit home and not go crazy.

Anyway, I don't think SaHM's and working mom's should debate about who has it harder. It's hard for both sides, and both take a lot of courage.... I've done them both.... stayed home for 10 months when my youngest was born.... then went back to work. It's a hard thing, being at home, and being at work.... each mom is doing what is best for them and their kids, so kudos and aces to all of them :D

Answer 10

Absolutely not.

Its a personal decision. If you are able to stay home and want to, then good for you. Some families need two incomes though, so that's OK too. Some mothers want to return to work and the father stay home, that's OK too!

I consider myself a stay-at-home mom, but I work at a florist on Saturdays for a little extra pocket money each month. It gets me out of the house and gives us money to spend however we choose. My mother was a full-time working (outside of the home) mom and I turned out perfectly OK too. She wasn't any less of a mother to me just because she had a full-time job.

Every person has a different way of doing things. It doesn't make it wrong, it just makes it different.