Stay at Home or Go to Work? Column by Anne O'Brien-Kakley, southcoast247.com Mommy
One of the most critical decisions that a new parent needs to make is whether their baby will enter daycare or not. Despite the abundance of propaganda on both sides of the issue, most rational people will admit that there is no "right" answer when it comes to this topic. Like it or not, most families are dependent on two incomes, so there are many considerations in the daycare debate.
Let's revisit the lyrics from the theme song for Diff'rent Strokes: "What might be right for you, may not be right for some". Here's the issue boiled down: some people want to stay home. Some people want to work. Both decisions are okay and both are possible.
For those that want to work - You are perfectly normal. It's not selfish or wrong to seek intellectual stimulation outside of Dora the Explorer, and craving adult interaction is a perfectly healthy thing. People who feel the need to work outside of the home report that their family time is more satisfying, more focused, and more meaningful to them because they work full-time. They have separate lives where they feel purpose on a professional level, and purpose as a dedicated parent. Their children often enjoy daycare and thrive among their peers. Daycare provides a seamless transition into preschool and kindergarten. Money is presumably more plentiful, eliminating many money worries and allowing for "extras", maybe even vacations.
For those that want to stay home - You are also perfectly normal. Managing a household can be just as stressful as managing an office, only there isn't a paycheck at the end of the week. If you find housework and child-rearing satisfying and enjoy working for yourself at your own pace (admittedly without a day off), then staying home is a great option. Most stay-at-home parents are really satisfied with their quality of living, and find lots of "free" activities to keep their little ones entertained on a shoestring budget. There are library storytimes, supermarket trips, walks in the park, and plenty of dirty dishes to fill the days of the stay-at-home parent. Plus, almost every town has a group of parents who meet, which is great for early socialization.
The ultimate deal – If you don't want to be away from your child for 40 hours a week, but you are terrified of the prospect of living on one income, you may have the option to work from home or work part-time or both. If you have been working for the same company for a while and have proven your worth, many organizations will let new parents (particularly mothers) work from home part of the time, or they will let working parents drop down to part-time.
For parents looking to make a career change, there are plenty of work-from-home jobs. Tutors.com is a website that links students to qualified home-based tutors. There is also VIPConcierge, which connects clients to home-based workers who arrange hotel visits, golf meet-ups and more. Many more opportunities abound, but the entrepreneurial parent needs to beware of crazy business schemes that could leave them penniless.
Another option is to pursue several ventures to produce several, smaller incomes. I work 8 hours a week at a retail store, several hours a week doing freelance writing, and several hours a week sewing items for a small client base. While I am not rolling in cash-money, I make more than I would've made if I had stayed at my low-paying teaching job sending my daughter to full-time daycare.
So do what is right for you and your family. Don't feel bad if you can't picture yourself returning to work, and don't feel guilty if you enjoy working outside of the home. When Mom and Dad are happy, everyone is happy.
One of the most critical decisions that a new parent needs to make is whether their baby will enter daycare or not. Despite the abundance of propaganda on both sides of the issue, most rational people will admit that there is no "right" answer when it comes to this topic. Like it or not, most families are dependent on two incomes, so there are many considerations in the daycare debate.
