by April May Maple

Created on: May 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2010

Choosing to become a stay-at-home parent can be one of the most important decisions you can make for your children's future. There are many benefits, but they come at a price. Some of the sacrifices can be considerable, like the loss of income; while others are not as noticeable, like knowing what day of the week it is. Many parents lovingly offer up these sacrifices to improve their child's life, never thinking twice.

First and foremost, many unseen sacrifices tie into quitting your job. Besides the loss of wages, you will no longer be contributing to social security. It is important to take this into consideration for retirement. You are also giving up all the hard work you put in towards your career. Upon re-entering the workforce after your children are grown, you will have to start at the bottom.

You will also lose the casual interaction with your former co-workers. Though you may remain friends, you miss out on the day-to-day interaction with them. You are out of the loop when it comes to workplace gossip and the idle chitchat that connects you to the adult world you used to be a part of.

Your appearance will suffer. You no longer have the need to get dressed up for work; your job now can be done in the comfort of your pajamas. This may sound like a perk, but it is bitter sweet. When you look in the mirror you no longer see the well-groomed reflection looking back. Instead, you see a disheveled image with various splatters of spit-up and other kid associated substances. This can be a blow to your self-esteem and have a profound effect on how you view yourself. It can also affect your romantic relationship with your partner.

Your sanity is also a sacrifice you will have to make. When you opt to be a stay-at-home parent, you spend your day doing whatever your child is doing. So, that means you will have to endure watching Dora the Explorer over, and over, and over again to the point when you open the door you say “abra” and  the song “Come on, Vamonos” is permanently replaying in your head.

World events will no longer seem a priority. Reading the newspaper or watching the news just does not rank that high when it comes to using your free time. You are too busy dealing with the events occurring in your home to worry about what is happening in Washington DC, let alone in other parts of the world.

There are no breaks, days off, vacation or sick leave for stay-at-home parents. Even when you are not with your child, you are still

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>