Should I Stay Home Or Go Back to Work?: 4 Things to Consider

As a parent, one of the most challenging decisions I have had to make, so far, is whether to stay home or with my children or to return to work. I hate to think that I won’t be with my kids for that 10 or so hours a day, but at the same time, would love the extra income to provide for them. We have had poor experiences in the past with home daycares that have left a bad taste in our mouths, but that is not to say that there aren’t awesome providers out there. What to do? 4 things to consider:

Your Financial Situation

Although staying at home is possible even on a modest budget, you’ll need to do a careful overview of your family’s finances before deciding to leave your job. While scaling back on a few things may be relatively easy for some, it can be difficult for others. Plot out your family’s spending and factor in your bills and debt payments. Then plan how you would adjust these payments on a single income. Is it feasible?

Here is a handy little tool that I came across to see if it is feasible for me to stay home without the income: The “Stay At Home Calculator”.

Your personality

For some mothers, the idea of being around their children 24/7 may sound more daunting than anything else. And that’s okay. If you know you are the type of person who thrives on independence, you may want to carefully consider what staying at home might mean for you. Of course, like any full-time job, staying at home does carry its challenges. You just have to know if these outweigh the benefits for you.

Your attachment to your career

Is your current job your life’s passion or are you just going through the motions? An unfulfilling career can take its toll on your mental and physical health, which doesn’t bode well for good parenting. So take a look at your job and evaluate your satisfaction. If your job is important to you, staying at home may be more difficult. If, however, you are unhappy at your job, staying at home may be the best decision for both you and your family.

Your family’s values

Staying at home may be your goal, but are you sure it’s shared by your partner? Having open and honest conversations with your spouse as well as any family members who may be involved in raising your child is a key way to ensure you are making the right decision. -Pregnancy Info.net

Should I Stay Home Or Go Back to Work?: 4 Things to Consider

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