When you have a baby, everything changes. Your priorities will shift from caring for your own well-being, to caring for the little human that you’ve brought into this world. However, even when yours might have completely turned upside down, life goes on and bills still need to be paid.
Hiring a nanny can be too much of a financial burden, however, before you make the decision to be a stay-at-home mom, let’s check out some pros and cons of being a full on housewife that pays the bills:
PROS
1. Less guilt
What does this mean? If you are a work-at-home mom, chances are that you won’t have to deal with a crying child every morning begging you not to leave. You will not have to deal with the guilt of not always being with your little one as well. Ergo, less guilt.
2. More freedom to organise your own timetable
If you choose to be a work-at-home mom, one of the perks is that you get to decide when you work, and how long you choose to work from. So when you child is having their nap, or out on a playdate, you will be able to use that time to work. You need not have to worry about work encroaching on quality time with your little one anymore.
3. More mother-child bonding time
Since you need not have spend most of your day at the office, it means that you get to spend more time with your little one. No need to worry about whether you will be able to make it home before your kid’s bedtime, or only being able to spend time with them over the weekend. You will be able to witness all of your little one’s firsts and play a huge role in their development and growth.
CONS
1. It’s difficult to meet new people
As a work-at-home mom, your world will end up revolving mostly around your little one, with limited access to the outside world. This could end up with moms feeling isolated as it could be more difficult to meet and interact with new people as compared to working in an office. So if you become a work-at-home mom, it is crucial for moms to ensure that they are still able to reach out to the rest of the world, and not be consumed by their child.
2. Unstable or reduced income
For most work-at-home moms, the types of jobs that they usually opt for are freelance or part-time work. Compared to a full-time job, it would usually end up paying less. Between caring for your little one and working, the amount of time and effort that you are able to spend on various projects are limited. This means that you will end up having less disposable income.
3. Reduced productivity and career advancement
Since your attention will be split between your job and your baby, it could lead to reduced productivity. Though women are known for their ability to multitask, it would still mean that your job will not be receiving your full attention. Besides that, it is also more difficult for people who work-from-home to be considered for a promotion or a raise, regardless of how good your performance is. As the saying goes, ‘out of sight, out of mind’.
So really, being a work-from-home mom is not for everyone. If you are a career woman or someone who loves outside interaction, working from home might not be the ideal path for you. Remember, there are no wrong ways to being a parent. Do what works for you and your little one and take it day by day.
Alternatively, visit Motherhood for more parenting tips and tricks, or the best deals and reviews on baby products.
