Eight years ago when I decided to stay home and care for my baby instead of going back to work, I had no idea the benefits of being a stay at home mom.
In fact, at the time I was only wanting to be a stay home mom for a few years. I was planning on returning to work as soon as possible. However, I have continued to stay at home.
For a while we were taking it year by year. But every time my husband and I discussed me going back to work, there were plenty of benefits of me staying home that always outweighed the cons.
Now, after 9 years, I have no desire to ever return to working full time outside the home. Even thought there is a lot of peer pressure for moms to follow a career path, I’ve found so much fulfillment in homemaking.
However, I wouldn’t be honest with you I if I didn’t say that some days it really doesn’t feel worth it being a stay at home mom.
There are days I struggle with discouragement. Days when I have little patience with my kids. Moments I long for adult interaction. And times when I think about how much more money we would have if I went back to work.
It’s those discouraging times, I have to remember the many reasons why I choose to be a stay home mother.
So if you are in the midst of deciding to be a stay at home mom or are a stay at home mom and need some encouragement too, here are a list of stay at home mom benefits for you to consider.
Stay at Home Mom Benefits
There are so many reasons to be a stay at home mom. This list is just a start. I could probably add something new each day!
Every person I know that has been a stay at home mother, has said it was the best decision of their lives.
If you are asking yourself “Should I be a stay home?”, I hope this list will give you a good idea of the reasons why it would be worth it!
1. Stability at home.
Since I don’t work outside the home, I’m the constant in my family’s life here at home. They can count on clean laundry, homemade meals, and quality time with me.
I love being that stability for my family.
2. Experiences child’s milestones.
I’m so thankful I was able to watch both of my babies roll over for the first time, say their first word, and take their first steps. Those are milestones that won’t ever happen again.
But even now as my children are elementary age, I get to experience other milestones with them. These are memories I’ll keep in my heart forever.
3. Easier to run errands.
This is a super practical benefit! As a stay at home mom, you get to make up your own schedule. That means you can run errands during the typical daytime work hours.
You can avoid driving during rush hour. There is less traffic during the day and the stores are less busy.
4. Loving care for children.
There are some really great daycare workers out there. I even worked in a daycare one summer. However, nothing, absolutely nothing, can replace a mother’s love for her children.
During the early years of a child, they need to know that their parents’ are there for them.
When your children are sick or hurt, they don’t want to be comforted by a stranger or childcare provider. They want you. You’ll always be there for them.
I love that I provide the care care of my children.
5. No work stress.
Okay, I’m not saying there will be no stress in your life, but you will certainly have less stress! You won’t have to bring home the stress of a workplace.
The majority of the stress that you encounter at home can be changed. You’ll have control over many of the decisions of your day.
Whereas, if you work outside the home, much of your work stress comes from things that are completely out of your control.
6. Children see the value of family.
Your children will catch more of what they see than what they are taught. Yes, you’ll need to teach your kids important things in life. But they will see first hand that you truly value your family.
As a stay at home mom, you are investing your time, energy, and heart into your family and the home your family lives in.
7. Flexible schedule.
This is another super practical reason why I love being home with my kids each day. I get to set my own schedule.
We stick to a pretty solid routine, but I can change things up pretty quickly if family comes into town or someone needs a meal.
8. You’re able to teach your children.
Children start learning about their world the minute they are born. As their parent, you teach them all about it. As a stay at home mom, you will do the majority of the teaching.
My kids and I have so many conversations throughout the day that would never happen if I were away from them all day. Instead, they would ask their questions to others who possible have a different world view than what I want my children hearing.
But not only are you able to teach values, you are able to teach your children basic life skills. We homeschool. Most of our morning is school work. However, a lot of our day is spent teaching them skills in the kitchen.
9. Don’t have to use up sick days.
My husband has to be careful that he keeps up with his vacation and sick days at work. However, as a stay at home mom, I never have to ask for a day off if I’m not feeling well or if my kids are not feeling well.
I’m always available to care for them, and don’t have to worry about using up vacation days.
10. Save money on groceries.
By staying at home, you have more time to check the grocery adds, shop the sales, and use coupons. You’ll also have time to make food from scratch and save money on pre made food.
While you won’t get a paycheck being a stay at home mom, you can still save your family a lot of money simply because you’re home. Here’s how.
11. Save money by eating at home more.
Being home during the day, means you have more time to prepare dinner. You’ll be less likely to spend money going out to eat.
12. Save money on child care.
Childcare is probably one of the biggest ways you will save money as a stay at home mom. You’ll save thousands each year without paying for daycare or after school care.
It is so hard to find affordable childcare that is also quality. However, as a stay at home mom, you don’t have to pay for childcare, and you also know you will give the best child care for your children.
13. Homeschool is an option.
If you’re already used to stay ing home with your kids, homeschooling can be an easy option when they become school age.
As a homeschooling mom myself, I hear from working women who wish they were able to homeschool their kids. However, they don’t feel that’s an option because their family depends on their income.
Not all stay at home moms choose to homeschool their kids, but they certainly have the option and freedom to do that without little financial impact.
14. Mornings are less rushed.
I beleive strongly in a morning routine as a homemaker. However, a routine is different than feeling the pressure to get out of the house by a certain time for work or daycare.
I love having calm, unrushed mornings with my kids! They are able to get the sleep they need because I don’t have to wake them up early. Instead, they wake up naturally.
Then we eat breakfast together, clean up from breakfast and they follow a simple morning routine before we start homeschool.
I don’t have to rush them or tell them to “hurry up so we aren’t late”. I love not having hectic mornings!
15. Save money on clothes.
By staying home with my kids, I have more time to search consignment stores and sales for their clothes. In fact, the majority of their clothes are second hand.
You can find quality, in style clothes for very low prices. We save hundreds, if not thousands!
I also save money on clothes for myself. Instead of having to buy “work clothes and shoes”, I’m able to get clothes that I want to wear at prices I want to spend.
16. Meet with friends during the week.
As a stay at home mom, you have more free time to get together with other moms. Yes, you are working all the time because you are caring for your kids.
However, you can invite a friend over for coffee or meet for lunch at a location with an indoor play area.
Over the years, I realized that I need a support system as a stay at home mom. So because of that I make it a priority to meet up with friends a few times a month.
17. Able to help those in need.
Since, my days are flexible, I’m able to volunteer for things at church throughout the week, visit someone in the hospital, or run an errand for someone.
18. More freedom to be yourself.
Being a stay at home mom means that you are going counter culture. When you make the personal decision to stay home, it makes it even easier to be comfortable in your own skin even if it looks different than the norm.
19. Time for self care.
Since I don’t have to balance a job outside the home and driving to and from work, I have more time to practice simple self care habits.
By self care, I’m talking about getting enough sleep, drinking water, getting some quiet time, or going for a walk.
20. Less sickness for your young children.
Of course, sickness can’t be avoided, but since your kids won’t be as exposed to lots of germs, there will be less sickness.
Your child will also be able to get the rest they need at home in order to stay healthy because they won’t have to get out of bed early in the mornings.
21. You know more about your kids.
Kids grow up so fast! I’m thankful every day that I get to spend each day with them. I feel like I understand them better than if I only saw them on the weekends and evenings.
22. A slower, less hectic life.
With only one spouse working outside the home, there is only one work schedule to work around. This frees up a lot of extra things.
Also, because staying at home means your family is most likely living off of one full tie income, there are less finances available for extra curricular activities.
Not having the pressure to be involved in so many things, leads to a slower, less hectic life.
23. You can avoid rush hour.
There have been a handful of times that I have had to drive during rush hour for appointments or errands.
And each time that I drive during that time of day, I’m reminded how blessed I am to not have to drive in that traffic every day!
24. You don’t get this time back.
I’ve talked to lots of moms or older kids over the past 9 years. There has never been a mom who regretted taying home with her kids.
However, I have met moms who have regretted choosing their careers over their families and homes.
They always encourage me to stay home as long as I possibly can because they know how hard it is to balance work and home life as women.
25. Breastfeeding is much easier at home.
Breastfeeding is difficult to learn. It takes lots of practice, patience, and guidance.
If you’re at home with your baby, you’ll have a better chance at being able to successfully breastfeed your baby.
Your children will never be this young again. The time you have with them is so short and goes so fast. Choosing to stay home with them is an incredible blessing to both you and your family.
Personally, I wouldn’t trade being a stay at home mom for anything!
I hope this post has been an encouragement to you. Of course, you could probably add to this list of benefits. I encourage you to make your own list of benefits you experience because you are a stay at home mom.