by Linda L Kinyon

Created on: April 17, 2009   Last Updated: July 18, 2010

Being a stay at home parent does have its ups and downs. We have to decide exactly what is important to us and our families. For some this means giving up those lunches with co workers and friends during the day. For others it may mean as much as giving up that 2nd car  and walking more instead of taking the car. Choosing to rent instead of own a house is another sacrifice some are willing to make. Whatever the cost, its an individual decision as to what we are each willing to sacrifice.

Foregoing the extra channels on television or perhaps the high speed internet connection in lieu of average speed are not that difficult to give up in order to stay at home with ones children.

Staying connected to other adults is important to our well being. After a few days with a babbling toddler you will know just what we mean here. There are many ways to over come the isolation feeling that many young parents experience.

Join a group of other young parents. Consider going to a local playground during the day a few times each week. This will burn off the children's energy ensuring them of a good nap later and give you the opportunity to meet other young parents and get to know them. Chances are they are there for many of the same reasons you are at the playground.

Consider joining a church and making friends in the church. Most churches welcome newcomers with open arms and are more than happy to mentor a young parent or a stay at home mom or dad. Consider becoming more involved in church activities and I assure you, the socialization that you felt you gave up becoming a stay at home parent will soon vanish and you will find that you have many great friends available to you. Who knows, you might even occasionally get to go out to lunch again and find other church members with young children willing to trade off some babysitting time in exchange for me time.

Limited income is of course a concern if you are a stay at home parent. However, if you are able to telecommute or find other means to work from home this is always a great bonus to the family income. Just because you are a stay at home parent does not mean you cannot find ways to work from home. Plan around the children and their activities. Consider something you can do while they are asleep or napping or when the other parent is home. You might even consider starting your own day care. Why not get paid for your children having friends over and enjoy the fact that your children always have playmates and you have an income?

Lastly, you won't have to worry about an up style wardrobe change in order to stay at home. For most stay at home parents the wardrobe is the least of their concern. Lets face it, after pulling an all nighter with an infant or perhaps a sick toddler, who wants to dress up more than their sweats and go to work all day in the public eye? Being a stay at home parent gives us the opportunity to be the one that raises our children with our values. Being a stay at home parent in no way should undermine our self confidence or downgrade our level of education.

Being a stay at home parent has richly blessed our family and given us far more than any money can buy.

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