FollowText.com » Family » Parenting » What Is A Realistic Income For A Stay At Home Mom?

What Is A Realistic Income For A Stay At Home Mom?

by: JessicaFranks
Total views: 5 | Word Count: 873

The everyday life of stay-at-home moms requires a spirit and readiness that many do not possess. No handbook is handed out, no rigid rules of the day, no set-in-stone schedules. This is a hands-on, learn-as-you-go position. Qualifications are many, patience and sense of humor mandatory.

Opinions vary regarding what would comprise of a realistic income for stay-at-home moms. There are many opinions about whether being a stay-at-home mom should be classified as employment, in part due to the absence of usual employment perks, such as vacations, benefits, and break-times. I, myself, hold the view that being a stay-at-home mom is a very real job. In many ways it is more demanding than any other job there is. The boss here is the little one, dictating through tears and howls or pulls at your clothing when it is time to eat, time to sleep, time to play. And this doesn't get put on hold while managing the laundry, cleaning the house, paying bills, or doing any of the other duties affiliated with running a household. All those other obligations need to be juggled around the demands for attention, the diaper changes, the feedings, storytime, and doctor visits. The list could go on and on.

Although some believe this to be easy work, but transplant one corporate woman into the home for entire day of childcare and household workings, and odds are good she'd run more than happily back to the office the following day! In the corporate world, the woman's needs come first, but at home, the child's needs are prevelant. This is a day in, day out position and it's demands are endless. The job isn't complete when the clock draws upon a certain hour. This job is for life.

So again, what income is realistic for a stay-at-home mom? Just as all decisions are made by the mom who stays at home concerning all things, all responsibilities fall onto her as well. There is no assistant to run errands, no committees to look into options. The domestic duties and the child care and activities are all performed by one person.

Stay-at-home moms are miracle-workers by their own right. There are no clerks to make phone calls (to the doctor), no cleaning service that comes in and performs miracles after everyone else leaves. No catering service to tend to nutrition, no organization team. The innumerable roles in the outside world they fill in their seemingly large inner world would have to include plumber, maid, cook, banker, accountant, teacher, nursemaid, student, waitress, driver, nurse, and problem solver. Certainly, one can easily call to mind other roles as well. And in addition to all these talents and abilities, these same stay-at-home moms who do countless things each day change hats and become wives as well.

Our day as stay-at-home moms begins earlier than most jobs. The attire isn't as luxourious, nor as expensive, but it sure is comfortable for the duties needing to be tended to in the long hours ahead. And that is to say, the duties that actually get performed. Prioritizing is our number one ability. And while there is no timeclock to punch when we begin, there isn't any time to punch out either. Instead of sitting in traffic, we sit in waiting rooms at the doctor's office. Next thing we know, much of what was on the to-do list isn't done, but the hours of the day have evaporated somehow.

Perhaps some think it possible to perform typical job duties to enhance the income of the household while at home with children. However, the reality is that in all likelihood, the income that might be earned would be less than it would cost to pay another for childcare for the entire week. The time it would take to earn anything substantial while being a stay-at-home mom would hardly be worth it. Stay-at-home moms learn that five minutes to relax with a good cup of tea takes precedence over any amount of money they could earn in those sacred five minutes that come too seldom.

So what is a realistic income for a stay at home mom? To me is should be about 15,000 a year more or less depending how many kids you have. Sure we don't have to spend money on 10 dollar lattes or 50 lunch plates. But are we not entitled to go out every once in a while and feel like we are more than just a mom. And get our nails and hair done and buy something special to make us feel like the woman we deserved to be seen as for we are the ones that are caring for our future doctors lawyers web site designers maybe even the next president who knows. All of us stay at home moms agree the best payment come from seeing our kids grow up everyday right before our very eyes. Knowing that we were the one that taught them how to walk and talk and be the tiny little person they are. But hey a salary wouldn't hurt right? All those that agree let me hear you.

About the Author

If you are looking to make extra money from home, then make sure you check out Jessica's free movie about jobs for stay at home moms, and work for stay home moms.

What Is A Realistic Income For A Stay At Home Mom?

About the Author

More Articles from: Parenting