by Amelia Danielle

Created on: April 25, 2008

Such a strange question when you think about it, although a popular debate in today's society. With all of the costs of living as well as the additional costs of raising a family, a home with two working adults is much more likely to be able to get by, at least for most low income and middle class families today. However, parenthood, unlike the workforce, is a natural concept. It's something that we are virtually born to do, and the effects of this decision stretch out beyond our own existence and into another. The phrase "stay-at-home" suggests that there is another option. But when you've made the physical and emotional commitment to bare and raise a child, isn't the only option to be as involved and proactive with your child as you can possibly manage?

I myself was raised by a stay-at-home mother, and father who was a business owner and often worked from home. I was basically around both parents on a constant basis. This set a mental pattern for me, provided me with stability, allowed me to trust more easily and helped me maintain an identity associated with my family. I'm grateful my parents were able to provide this kind of upbringing to me and my two siblings, although I realize that not everyone can accomplish this.

While it is obviously the best way to promote a better outcome, being a stay at home parent is far from the only way to raise a well balanced child. If you and your spouse or partner are both forced to work even long hours, this can be supplemented by making a Sunday meal, or having a weekly family outing scheduled every week. Try and set aside time to catch up on what your children are studying and who their teachers are. It's really the mere knowledge that parents WANT to be involved that creates better self esteem in a developing child. Feeling as though they are in the way or pressed to the last minute can make a child grow up feeling as though being last on the list of priorities is acceptable and they might carry that into friendships or even relationships and marriage down the line.

Being a stay at home parent in todays society is sometimes an unrealistic standard, but even with all the rush of your day, long hours and tired feet; a parents first and most important job is making sure their child feels surrounded and submerged in love and attention.

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